History of South Asia (Indian Subcontinent)
Stone Age	70,000–3300 BC
• Mehrgarh Culture	• 7000–3300 BC
Indus Valley Civilization	3300–1700 BC
Late Harappan Culture	1700–1300 BC
Vedic period	1500–500 BC
Iron Age	1200–300 BC
• Maha Janapadas	• 700–300 BC
• Magadha Empire	• 545 BC - 550
• Maurya Empire	• 321–184 BC
Middle Kingdoms	250 BC–1279 AD
• Chola Empire	• 250 BC–1070 AD
• Satavahana	• 230 BC–220 AD
• Kushan Empire	• 60–240 AD
• Gupta Empire	• 280–550 AD
• Pala Empire	• 750–1174 AD
• Chalukya Dynasty	• 543–753 AD
• Rashtrakuta	• 753–982 AD
• Western Chalukya Empire	• 973–1189 AD
• Hoysala Empire	1040–1346
• Kakatiya Empire	1083–1323
Islamic Sultanates	1206–1596
• Delhi Sultanate	• 1206–1526
• Deccan Sultanates	• 1490–1596
Ahom Kingdom	1228–1826
Vijayanagara Empire	1336–1646
Mughal Empire	1526–1858
Maratha Empire	1674–1818
Sikh Confederacy	1716–1799
Sikh Empire	1801–1849
British East India Company	1757–1858
British Raj	1858–1947
Modern States	1947–present
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Regional histories Assam • Balochistan • Bengal Himachal Pradesh • Orissa • Pakistani Regions North India • South India • Tibet
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Buddha and Bodhisattvas, 11th century, Pala Empire

Further information: History of Bangladesh

The history of Bengal (including Bangladesh and West Bengal) dates back four millennia. The term South Asia usually refers to the political entities of the Sub- Himalayan region - namely Republic of India, Pakistan, This article is about the history of South Asia prior to the Partition of British India in 1947 The South Asian Stone Age covers the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods in the South Asia. Mehrgarh, ( Urdu: م‍ﮩ‍رگڑھ) one of the most important Neolithic (7000 BC to 3200 BC sites in Archaeology, lies on what The Indus Valley Civilization (Mature period 2600&ndash1900 BCE abbreviated IVC, was an ancient Civilization that flourished in the Indus River basin The Cemetery H culture developed out of the northern part of the Indus Valley Civilization around 1900 BCE in and around the Punjab region which is located on the The Vedic Period (or Vedic Age) is the period in the History of India during which the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, were being The Iron Age in the Indian subcontinent succeeds the Late Harappan (Cemetery H culture also known as the last phase of the Indus Valley Tradition Mahajanapadas ( Sanskrit: महाजनपद Mahājanapadas) literally "Great Kingdoms" (from Maha, "great" and Janapada Magadha (मगध formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas ( Sanskrit, "great countries" or regions in ancient India. The Maurya Empire ( 322 – 185 BCE) ruled by the Mauryan dynasty was a geographically extensive and powerful political and military Middle kingdoms of India refers to the political entities in India from the 2nd century BC since the decline of the Maurya Empire, and the corresponding The Sātavāhanas ( Marathi: सातवाहन Telugu:శాతవాహనులు were a Dynasty which ruled from Junnar ( The Kushan Empire (c 1st &ndash 3rd centuries) was a Bactrian state that at its cultural zenith Circa 105 &ndash 250 The Gupta Empire ( Hindi: गुप्त राजवंश was ruled by members of the Gupta dynasty from around 320 to 550 C The Pala Empire was a dynasty in control of the northern and eastern Indian subcontinent, mainly the Bengal and Bihar regions from the 8th to The Chalukya dynasty ( Kannada: ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು ʧaːɭukjə was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and Central The Rashtrakuta Dynasty ( Sanskrit: राष्ट्रकूट rāṣṭrakūṭa, Kannada: ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಕೂಟ was a royal The Western Chalukya Empire ( Kannada: ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ) ruled most of the western Deccan, South The Hoysala Empire ( Kannada: ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ ( pronunciation: in Kannada was a prominent South Indian Kannadiga The Kakatiya dynasty was a South Indian Dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083CE to 1323CE During the late Middle Ages, several Islamic Empires were established in South Asia. The Delhi Sultanate ( Urdu: دلی سلطنت, दिल्ली सलतनत or Sultanat e Hind ( سلطنتِ هند; सलतनत ए The Deccan sultanates were five Muslim -ruled late medieval kingdoms–- Bijapur, Golkonda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, and Berar The Ahom Kingdom (1228–1826 called Kingdom of Assam in medieval times was a medieval kingdom in the Brahmaputra valley in Assam that maintained its The Vijayanagara Empire ( Kannada: ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ Telugu: విజయనగర సామ్రాజ్యము was a South The Mughal Empire ( Persian and self-designation گورکانی; مغلیہ سلطنت) was an Islamic imperial power which ruled most The Maratha Empire ( Marathi: मराठा साम्राज्य Marāṭhā Sāmrājya; also transliterated Mahratta The Sikh Confederacy was a nation that existed from 1716 to 1799 The Sikh Confederacy was a nation that existed from 1716 to 1799 The Honourable East India Company ( HEIC) referred to most commonly as the East India Company, also historically and colloquially as John Company, or For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British The Partition of India was the partition of the British Indian Empire which led to the creation on August 14, 1947 and August 15, History of Bengal Bangladesh became one of the last major nation states following its secession in 1971 from the nation of Pakistan which achieved its independence from the British Bhutan 's early history is steeped in Mythology and remains obscure The History of the Republic of India began on August 15, 1947 when India became an independent Dominion within the British Commonwealth The Maldives is a nation consisting of 26 natural Atolls, comprising 1192 islands Historical setting Since very ancient times the Maldives were ruled The History of Nepal (नेपालको इतिहास is characterized by its isolated position in the Himalayas and its two dominant neighbors India The history of Pakistan as a modern nation began with independence from British India on 14 August 1947, although Traditionally the recorded History of Sri Lanka boasts of 25 chronicled centuries The history of Assam is the history of a confluence of peoples from the east west and the north the confluence of the Indo-Aryan, Austro-Asiatic and The Baloch people are an Iranian ethnic group that are mainly settled in the Balochistan areas of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The history of Himachal Pradesh dates back to the time when the Indus valley civilisation flourished Orissa formed in 1926 was known as Kalinga in ancient times Kalinga was a prosperous nation whose merchants traded with the lands of Java and Sumatra The former subdivisions of Pakistan are states provinces and territories which mainly existed between 1947 and 1975 when the current provinces The first known use of the word Punjab is in the book Tarikh-e-Sher Shah Suri (1580 which mentions the construction of a fort by "Sher Khan of Punjab" The history of South India covers a span of over two thousand years during which the region saw the rise and fall of a number of dynasties and empires Tibetan history is characterized by a special dedication to the Buddhist religion both in the eyes of its own people as well as for the Mongol and Manchu Coinage of India, issued by Imperial dynasties and smaller Middle kingdoms of India began during the 1st millennium BCE, and consisted The following list of Indian monarchs is one of several Lists of incumbents. Economic history of India, in the sense of the meaning of the term economic in its current sense is at least 5000 years old Indology refers to the academic study of the languages texts History and Cultures of the Indian subcontinent, and as such a subset of Asian studies Originating over 5000 years ago the linguistic history of India describes the evolution and transformation of early human communications techniques - from pictures pictorial scripts Indian literature is generally acknowledged as one of the oldest in the world Indian maritime history begins during the 3rd millennium BCE when the inhabitants of the Indus Valley initiate trading with Mesopotamia. India has a long military history dating back several millennia This is a timeline of Indian history. It includes the history of South Asia ( Indian subcontinent) especially the history of the regions now known Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder In the Buddhist context a bodhisattva (बोधिसत्त्व bodhisattva;; Vietnamese Bồ Tát; बोधिसत्त bodhisatta The Pala Empire was a dynasty in control of the northern and eastern Indian subcontinent, mainly the Bengal and Bihar regions from the 8th to History of Bengal Bangladesh became one of the last major nation states following its secession in 1971 from the nation of Pakistan which achieved its independence from the British Etymology and ethnology The exact origin of the word Bangla or Bengal is unknown though it is believed to be derived from the Dravidian-speaking tribe Bang ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially West Bengal ( Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchim Bônggo poʃtʃim bɔŋgo is a state in eastern India. ^[1] To some extent, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers separated it from the mainland of India, though at times, Bengal has played an important role in Indian history. The Ganges (ˈgænʤiːz also Ganga, Devanāgarī: hi गंगा in most Indian languages) is the major river in the Indian subcontinent The Brahmaputra, also called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra is a Trans-boundary river and one of the major Rivers of Asia. This is a list of rivers in India. Rivers that flow into the sea are sorted geographically along the coast starting from the Bay of Bengal in the east moving along India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country

Ancient history

Remnants of Copper Age settlements in the Bengal region date back 4,000 years,^[1][2] when the region was settled by Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman and Austro-Asiatic peoples. The Chalcolithic (Greek khalkos + lithos ' Copper stone' period or Copper Age period known as the '''Eneolithic''' ('''Æneolithic''' is a Dravidian peoples refers to the peoples that natively speak languages belonging to the Dravidian language family. The Tibeto-Burman family of languages (often considered a sub-group of the Sino-Tibetan Language family) is spoken in various central and south Asian countries including The Austro-Asiatic languages are a large Language family of Southeast Asia, and also scattered throughout India and Bangladesh. After the arrival of Indo-Aryans, the kingdoms of Anga, Vanga and Magadha were formed by the 10th century BC, located in and around the Bengal region. The earliest reference to Angas (अंग occurs in the Atharava Veda (V The vangas are a group of little-known small to medium-sized Passerine Birds restricted to Madagascar. Magadha (मगध formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas ( Sanskrit, "great countries" or regions in ancient India. The Anga, Vanga and Magadha kingdoms are first described in the Atharvaveda around 1000 BC. The Atharvaveda ( Sanskrit: अथर्ववेद atharvaveda, a Tatpurusha compound of {{IAST|atharvan}}, an ancient Rishi

From the 6th century BC, most of Bengal was a part of the powerful kingdom of Magadha, which was an Indo-Aryan kingdom of ancient India, mentioned in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The 6th century BC started the first day of 600 BC and ended the last day of 501 BC. Etymology and ethnology The exact origin of the word Bangla or Bengal is unknown though it is believed to be derived from the Dravidian-speaking tribe Bang Magadha (मगध formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas ( Sanskrit, "great countries" or regions in ancient India. This article is about the history of South Asia prior to the Partition of British India in 1947 The Rāmāyaṇa ( Devanāgarī: sa रामायण is an ancient Sanskrit epic attributed to the Hindu sage ( Maharishi) Valmiki It was also one of the four main kingdoms of India at the time of Buddha, having risen to power during the reigns of Bimbisara (c. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder Bimbisara ( Sanskrit: बिम्भिसार 558 BC—491 BC was a king of the Magadha empire from 543 BC to his death and belonged to the Hariyanka dynasty 544-491 BC) and his son Ajatashatru (c. Events and trends 546 BC — Croesus, Lydian king, is defeated by Cyrus of Persia near the River Halys Events By place Greece Darius I sends envoys to all Greek cities demanding "earth and water for vassalage" Ajātashatru ( Sanskrit अजातशत्रु ruled 491- 461 BCE) was a king of the Magadha empire that ruled north India 491-460 BC). Events By place Persian Empire Egypt revolts against Persian rule Magadha spanned to include most of Bihar and Bengal. Bihar ( Hindi:बिहार Urdu: بہار bɪhaːr) is a state in eastern India. Etymology and ethnology The exact origin of the word Bangla or Bengal is unknown though it is believed to be derived from the Dravidian-speaking tribe Bang

Magadha formed one of the sixteen Mahā Janapadas (Sanskrit, "great country"). Mahajanapadas ( Sanskrit: महाजनपद Mahājanapadas) literally "Great Kingdoms" (from Maha, "great" and Janapada Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical The Magadha empire included republican communities such as Rajakumara. Villages had their own assemblies under their local chiefs called Gramakas. Their administrations were divided into executive, judicial, and military functions. Bimbisara was friendly to both Jainism and Buddhism and suspended tolls at the river ferries for all ascetics after the Buddha was once stopped at the Ganges River for lack of money. Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder The Ganges (ˈgænʤiːz also Ganga, Devanāgarī: hi गंगा in most Indian languages) is the major river in the Indian subcontinent

In 326 BC, the army of Alexander the Great approached the boundaries of the Nanda Empire of Magadha. Events By place Macedonian Empire In the spring Alexander the Great crosses the Indus near Attock and enters Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' The Nanda dynasty ruled Magadha during the 5th and 4th centuries BC. The army, exhausted and frightened by the prospect of facing a larger Indian army at the Ganges River, mutinied at the Hyphasis (modern Beas) and refused to march further East. Alexander, after the meeting with his officer, Coenus, was convinced that it was better to return.

Magadha was the seat of the Maurya Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya, which extended over nearly all of South Asia and parts of Persia and Afghanistan under Ashoka the Great; and, later, of the powerful Gupta Empire, which extended over the northern Indian subcontinent and parts of Persia and Afghanistan. The Maurya Empire ( 322 – 185 BCE) ruled by the Mauryan dynasty was a geographically extensive and powerful political and military Chandragupta Maurya (चन्द्रगुप्त मौर्य sometimes known simply as Chandragupta (born c For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Ashoka ( Devanāgarī: अशोकः IAST: Aśokaḥ, aɕoːkə(hə Prakrit Imperial title Devanampriya Priyadarsi The Gupta Empire ( Hindi: गुप्त राजवंश was ruled by members of the Gupta dynasty from around 320 to 550 C This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia For geopolitical treatments see South Asia.

One of the earliest foreign references to Bengal is the mention of a land named Gangaridai by the Greeks around 100 BC. Gangaridai was the name of a kingdom in 300 BC in what is now the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. The Greeks ( Greek: Έλληνες) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighbouring regions The word is speculated to have come from Gangahrd (Land with the Ganges in its heart) and believed to be referring to an area in Bengal. The Ganges (ˈgænʤiːz also Ganga, Devanāgarī: hi गंगा in most Indian languages) is the major river in the Indian subcontinent For example, Diodorus Siculus (c. 90-30 BC) states that, ". . . Gandaridai, a nation which possesses the greatest number of elephants and the largest in size. " This is presently known as 'Gangaridi' civilization and encompasses a period presumably from 400 BC to 100 AD. Some recent excavations in South 24 Parganas in West Bengal reveal small pearls of garnet, opal, quartz etc, which helped to detect the time and life-style of the people of this ancient civilization. There are engravings such as couple, snake, swastika, plough, trident, betel-leaf etc. found on these pearls.

Early Middle Ages

The first recorded independent king of Bengal was Shashanka - reigning from 606. Shashanka (শশাঙ্ক Shôshangko) Shashanka the first important king of ancient Bengal, occupies a prominent place in history of the region Events By Place Europe Cearl becomes king of Mercia. Asia Shashanka

More concrete evidence of Bengal becoming an independent political entity is found in the 6th century, with the first recorded independent king of Bengal - Shashanka - reigning around 606. The 6th century is the period from 501 to 600 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Shashanka (শশাঙ্ক Shôshangko) Shashanka the first important king of ancient Bengal, occupies a prominent place in history of the region Events By Place Europe Cearl becomes king of Mercia. Asia Shashanka

The first Buddhist Pala king of Bengal, Gopala I came to power in 750 in Gaur by election. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices The Pala Empire was a dynasty in control of the northern and eastern Indian subcontinent, mainly the Bengal and Bihar regions from the 8th to "Gopala" redirects here For the mathematician see Gopala (mathematician. Power is a measure of a person's ability to control the environment around them including the behavior of other people Events By Geography Asia Gopala is proclaimed as the first ruler of the Pala Empire. The gaur (ˈɡaʊɚ ( Bos gaurus, previously Bibos gauris) is a large dark-coated bovine animal of South Asia and Southeast Asia. An election is a Decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold formal office This event is recognized as one of the first democratic elections in South Asia since the time of the Mahā Janapadas. Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system Mahajanapadas ( Sanskrit: महाजनपद Mahājanapadas) literally "Great Kingdoms" (from Maha, "great" and Janapada The dynasty's most powerful kings, Dharmapala (reigned 775-810) and Devapala (reigned 810-850) united Bengal and made the Pala Empire the most powerful empire in 9th century India after expanding across much of the Indian subcontinent and parts of Afghanistan. Dharamapala (ধর্মপাল Dhôrmopal) (rule 770 AD - 810 AD was the second ruler of the Pala Empire of Bengal. Events By Place Asia Estimation Baghdad, capital of the Abbasid Empire, becomes the largest city of the world taking the lead For the area code see Area code 810 Events By Place Byzantine Empire October 1 — A man with a Sword makes Devapala (rule 810 AD - 850 AD was a powerful king of Pala dynasty of Bengal. For the area code see Area code 810 Events By Place Byzantine Empire October 1 — A man with a Sword makes Events By Place Asia Emperor Montoku succeeds Emperor Nimmyō as Emperor of Japan. The Pala Empire was a dynasty in control of the northern and eastern Indian subcontinent, mainly the Bengal and Bihar regions from the 8th to This article deals with the geophysical region in Asia For geopolitical treatments see South Asia. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Internecine strife during the reign of Narayanpala (reigned 854-908) and administrative excesses led to the decline of the dynasty. Events By Place Europe Charles the Bald, Louis the German and Lothar meet at Attigny. Events By Place Asia The Battle of Belach Mugna is fought Zhu Wen kills the last Tang Dynasty emperor

A brief revival of the kingdom under Mahipala I (reigned 977-1027) ended in battle against the powerful, South Indian Chola kingdom. Events By Place Europe Saint Æthelwold of Winchester, Bishop of Winchester, rebuilds the western end of the Old Minster The rise of the Chandra dynasty in southern Bengal expedited the decline of the Palas, and the last Pala king, Madanpala, died in 1161.

The Malla dynasty emerged in Bengal in the seventh century, although they only rose to prominence in the 10th century under Jagat Malla who moved his capital to Vishnupur. Unlike the Buddhist Palas and Chandras, the Hindu Mallas worshipped first the Hindu god Shiva, then the Hindu god Vishnu. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva For other meanings see Vishnu (disambiguation. Vishnu ( IAST viṣṇu Devanagari विष्णु (honorific The Mallas built temples and spectacular religious monuments during their rule in Bengal.

Under the Sena dynasty, which lasted from 1095 to 1260, Bengali emerged as a distinct and important language in northern India, and Hinduism began to displace older Buddhism. The Sena dynasty ( Bengali সেন Shen) ruled Bengal through the 11th and 12th centuries.

Muslim rule

The Turkic invasion of India (including Bengal) came in the early 13th century. The Turkic peoples are Eurasian peoples residing in northern central and western Eurasia who speak languages belonging to the Turkic language family The invaders under the leadership of Ikhtiar Uddin Muhammad Bin Bakhtiyar Khilji, defeated the Sena king Lakshman Sena at his capital, Nabadwip in 1203 or 1204. Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji ( Bengali ইখতিয়ার উদ্দিন মুহম্মদ বখতিয়ার খলজী Persian Lakshman Sen (c 1178-1206 AD ( Bangla: লক্ষ্মণ সেন was the third king of the Sen dynasty who ruled for about 28 years Nadia is a district of the state of West Bengal, in the north east of the Republic of India. The Deva family — the last Hindu dynasty to rule in Bengal — ruled briefly in eastern Bengal, although they were suppressed by the mid-fourteenth century.

During the early Muslim period, the former kingdom became known as the Sultanate of Bangala, ruled intermittently from the Sultanate of Delhi. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. The Delhi Sultanate ( Urdu: دلی سلطنت, दिल्ली सलतनत or Sultanat e Hind ( سلطنتِ هند; सलतनत ए The chaotic shifts in power between the Afghan and Turkish rulers of that sultanate came to an end when Moghul rule became established in Bengal during the sixteenth century. The Demographics of Afghanistan are ethnically and linguistically mixed Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches The Mughal Empire ( Persian and self-designation گورکانی; مغلیہ سلطنت) was an Islamic imperial power which ruled most

In 1534, the Afghan Sher Shah Suri, or Farid Khan — a man of incredible military and political skill — succeeded in defeating the superior forces of the Mughals under Humayun at Chausa (1539) and Kannauj (1540). Sher Shah Suri (1486 Sasaram &ndash May 22, 1545 Kalinjar) ( - Šīr Šāh Sūrī) also known as Farid Khan or The Mughal Empire ( Persian and self-designation گورکانی; مغلیہ سلطنت) was an Islamic imperial power which ruled most Background Babur's decision to divide the territories of his empire between two of his sons was unusual in India but it had been a common Central Asian practice since the time of WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Kannauj ( Hindi कन्नौज Urdu: کنوج) also spelt Kanauj, Sher Shah fought back and captured both Delhi and Agra and established a kingdom stretching far into Punjab. Delhi (दिल्ली ਦਿੱਲੀ دلی d̪ɪlːiː sometimes referred to as Dilli) is the second largest metropolis of India, with a population Agra ( pronounced) (आगरा آگرا is a city on the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab ( ਪੰਜਾਬ پنجاب, पंजाब پنجاب also Panjab (پنجاب meaning "Land of the Five Rivers") (c Sher Shah's administrative skill showed in his public works, including the Grand Trunk Road connecting Sonargaon in Bengal with Peshawar in the Hindu Kush. The Grand Trunk Road (commonly abbreviated to GT Road is one of South Asia 's oldest and longest major roads Sonargaon ( Bangla: সোনারগাঁও is the ancient capital of Isa Khan 's kingdom in Bengal. ( پښور; Urdu: پشاور) is the capital of the North-West Frontier Province and the administrative centre for the Federally Administered The Hindu Kush is a Mountain range located between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sher Shah's rule ended with his death in 1545, although even in those five years his reign would have a powerful influence on Indian society, politics, and economics.

Shah Suri's successors lacked his administrative skill, and quarrelled over the domains of his empire. Humayun, who then ruled a rump Mughal state, saw an opportunity and in 1554 seized Lahore and Delhi. ( lahor is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and is the second largest city in Pakistan after Karachi. Humayun's death in 1556 led to the accession of Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal emperors, who defeated the Karani rulers of Bengal in 1576 and ruled through governors. Akbar redirects here For other uses see Akbar (disambiguation Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar ( Jalāl ud-Dīn Muhammad Akbar Akbar exercised progressive rule and oversaw a period of prosperity (through trade and development) in Bengal and northern India. Akbar redirects here For other uses see Akbar (disambiguation Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar ( Jalāl ud-Dīn Muhammad Akbar

Bengal's trade and wealth so impressed the Moghuls that they called the region the "Paradise of the Nations". Administration by governors appointed by the court of the Mughal Empire court (1575-1717) gave way to four decades of semi-independence under the Nawabs of Murshidabad, who respected the nominal sovereignty of the Mughals in Delhi. The Mughal Empire ( Persian and self-designation گورکانی; مغلیہ سلطنت) was an Islamic imperial power which ruled most Year 1717 ( MDCCXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Nawabs of Bengal were the hereditary nazim s or Subadars (provincial governors of the Subah (province of Bengal during The Nawabs granted permission to the French East India Company to establish a trading post at Chandernagore in 1673, and the British East India Company at Calcutta in 1690. The French East India Company ( French: La Compagnie française des Indes orientales or Compagnie française pour le commerce des Indes orientales) was a Chandannagar, formerly known as Chandernagore or Chandernagar (Chandernagor (চন্দননগর Chôndonnôgor) is a small city and former French The Honourable East India Company ( HEIC) referred to most commonly as the East India Company, also historically and colloquially as John Company, or

When the British East India Company began strengthening the defences at Fort William (Calcutta), the Nawab, Siraj Ud Daulah, at the encouragement of the French, attacked. Mîrzâ Mohammad Sirâjud Dawla, more popularly known as Siraj ud-Daulah (1733 &ndash July 2, 1757) was the last independent Nawab of Under the leadership of Robert Clive, British troops and their local allies captured Chandernagore in March 1757 and seriously defeated the Nawab on June 23, 1757 at the Battle of Plassey, when the Nawab's soldiers betrayed him. Clive of India redirects here For the film see Clive of India (film. Year 1757 ( MDCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish Year 1757 ( MDCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Battle of Plassey (পলাশীর যুদ্ধ Pôlashir Juddho) was a decisive British East India Company victory over the Nawab of Bengal The Nawab was assassinated in Murshidabad, and the British installed their own Nawab for Bengal and extended their direct control in the south. Chandernagore was restored to the French in 1763. Year 1763 ( MDCCLXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Bengalis attempted to regain their territories in 1765 in alliance with the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, but were defeated again at the Battle of Buxar (1765). Year 1765 ( MDCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Shah Alam II (1728&ndash1806 also known as Ali Gauhar was a Mughal emperor of India. The Battle of Buxar was fought in October 1764 between the forces under the command

The centre of Indian culture and trade shifted from Delhi to Calcutta when the Mughal Empire fell. The Mughal Empire ( Persian and self-designation گورکانی; مغلیہ سلطنت) was an Islamic imperial power which ruled most

Dutch colonies

Main article: Dutch Bengal

British rule

See also: Bengal Renaissance and Bengal Presidency

Map of the Bengal province, 1893

During British rule, two devastating famines were instigated costing millions of lives in 1770 and 1943. Dutch India refers to the Dutch colonial possessions on the Indian subcontinent while Dutch Indies refers to the far wider notions of the Dutch West Indies (in the The Bengal Renaissance refers to a social reform movement during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the region of Bengal in Undivided India during the The Bengal Presidency originally comprising east and west Bengal was a colonial region of British India, which comprised undivided Bengal which is present day Bangladesh A famine is a widespread shortage of food that may apply to any Faunal species which phenomenon is usually accompanied by regional Malnutrition, Starvation Year 1770 ( MDCCLXX) was a Common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Friday Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Scarcely five years into the British East India Company's rule, the catastrophic Bengal famine of 1770, one of the greatest famines of history occurred. The Honourable East India Company ( HEIC) referred to most commonly as the East India Company, also historically and colloquially as John Company, or The Bengal famine of 1770 (Bengali ৭৬-এর মন্বন্তর Chhiattōrer monnōntór; lit The Famine of '76) was a catastrophic Famine between Up to a third of the population died in 1770 and subsequent years. Year 1770 ( MDCCLXX) was a Common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Friday

The Indian Mutiny of 1857 replaced rule by the Company with the direct control of Bengal by the British crown. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of Sepoys of British East India Company 's army on the 10th of May 1857 in the town of Meerut, Click here for Indian Rebellion of 1857 Year 1857 ( MDCCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

A centre of rice cultivation as well as fine cotton called muslin and the world's main source of jute fibre, Bengal, from the 1850s became one of India's principal centres of industry, concentrated in the capital Kolkata (known as Calcutta under the British, always called 'Kolkata' in the native tongue of Bengali) and its emerging cluster of suburbs. Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many Muslin is a type of finely-woven Cotton fabric, introduced to Europe from the Middle East in the 17th century Jute is a long soft shiny Vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse strong threads Events and Trends Industry Production of Steel revolutionized by invention of the Bessemer process Benjamin Silliman Most of the population nevertheless remained dependent on agriculture, and despite its leading role in Indian political and intellectual activity, the province included some very undeveloped districts, especially in the east. Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture In 1877, when Victoria took the title of "Empress of India", the British declared Calcutta the capital of the British Raj. Year 1877 ( MDCCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British

India's most popular province (and one of the most active provinces in freedom fighting), in 1905 Bengal was divided by the British rulers for administrative purposes into an overwhelmingly Hindu west (including present-day Bihar and Orissa) and a predominantly Muslim east (including Assam) (1905 Partition of Bengal). Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical Bihar ( Hindi:बिहार Urdu: بہار bɪhaːr) is a state in eastern India. Orissa (ଓଡ଼ିଶା is a state located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion Assam) ( Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a suburb of the city The Partition of Bengal in 1905, was made on 16 October by then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon. Hindu - Muslim conflict became stronger through this partition. While Hindu Indians disagreed with the partition saying it was a way of dividing a Bengal which is united by language and history, Muslims supported it by saying it was a big step forward for Muslim society where Muslims will be majority and they can freely practice their religion as well as their culture. But owing to strong Hindu agitation, the British reunited East and West Bengal in 1912, and made Bihar and Orissa a separate province. Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting Bihar ( Hindi:बिहार Urdu: بہار bɪhaːr) is a state in eastern India. Orissa (ଓଡ଼ିଶା is a state located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal.

Another major famine occurred during the second world war, the Bengal famine of 1943, in which an estimated 3 million people died. The Bengal famine of 1943 is one amongst the several Famines that occurred in British administered Bengal.

Bengal Renaissance

Main article: Bengal Renaissance

The Bengal Renaissance refers to a social reform movement during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in Bengal during the period of British rule. The Bengal Renaissance refers to a social reform movement during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the region of Bengal in Undivided India during the For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British The Bengal renaissance can be said to have started with Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1775-1833). Etymology and ethnology The exact origin of the word Bangla or Bengal is unknown though it is believed to be derived from the Dravidian-speaking tribe Bang Ram Mohan Roy ( August 14, 1774 – September 27, 1833) was a founder in 1828 (with Dwarkanath Tagore and other Bengali ^[3]. Nineteenth century Bengal was a unique blend of religious and social reformers, scholars, literary giants, journalists, patriotic orators and scientists, all merging to form the image of a renaissance, and marked the transition from the 'medieval' to the 'modern'^[4].

Partitions of Bengal

Main article: Partition of Bengal

In the 20th century, the partitions of Bengal, occurring twice, has left indelible marks on the history and psyche of the people of Bengal. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on The first partition occurred in 1905 and the second partition was in 1947. The Partition of Bengal in 1905, was made on 16 October by then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon. The Partition of Bengal in 1947 part of the Partition of India, was a partition that divided Bengal into the two separate entities of West Bengal

As partition of British India into Hindu and Muslim dominions approached in 1947, Bengal again split into the state of West Bengal of secular India and a Muslim region of East Bengal under Pakistan, renamed East Pakistan in 1958. A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion A dominion, often Dominion, refers to one of a group of autonomous polities under sovereign authority within the British Empire and Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. West Bengal ( Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchim Bônggo poʃtʃim bɔŋgo is a state in eastern India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. East Bengal ( Bengali: পূর্ববঙ্গ Purbobôngo) was the name used during two periods in the 20th century for a territory that roughly corresponded Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and East Pakistan ( Bengali: পূর্ব পাকিস্তান Purbo Pakistan, Urdu: مشرقی پاکستان Mashriqi Pakistan) was Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. East Pakistan (East Bengal) later rebelled against Pakistani military rule to become independent republic of Bangladesh, literally "Land of Bengal", after a war of independence against the Pakistani army in 1971. A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially The Bangladesh Liberation War (i ( Bengali: মুক্তিযুদ্ধ Muktijuddho) was an armed conflict between West Pakistan (later Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. West Bengal remains a part of India. However, culturally and sociologically, the two segments of Bengal share considerably more than just a single language.

Bengal (both West Bengal and Bangladesh) is now one of the most densely populated regions of the world.

See East Bengal for information on East Bengal (now Bangladesh) after the first partition of Bengal. East Bengal ( Bengali: পূর্ববঙ্গ Purbobôngo) was the name used during two periods in the 20th century for a territory that roughly corresponded

See East Pakistan for information on East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) after the second partition of Bengal. East Pakistan ( Bengali: পূর্ব পাকিস্তান Purbo Pakistan, Urdu: مشرقی پاکستان Mashriqi Pakistan) was

Ruling houses of Bengal

Pala Dynasty

• Gopala I c. 750-c. Events By Geography Asia Gopala is proclaimed as the first ruler of the Pala Empire. 770
• Dharmapala c. Events By Place Asia Emperor Kōnin ascends to the throne of Japan, succeeding Empress Shōtoku. 770-c. Events By Place Asia Emperor Kōnin ascends to the throne of Japan, succeeding Empress Shōtoku. 810
• Devapala c. For the area code see Area code 810 Events By Place Byzantine Empire October 1 — A man with a Sword makes 810-c. For the area code see Area code 810 Events By Place Byzantine Empire October 1 — A man with a Sword makes 850
• Vigrahapala I c. Events By Place Asia Emperor Montoku succeeds Emperor Nimmyō as Emperor of Japan. 850-c. Events By Place Asia Emperor Montoku succeeds Emperor Nimmyō as Emperor of Japan. 875
• Narayanapala c. Events By Place Europe December 29 — Charles the Bald, king of West Francia, is crowned emperor 875-c. Events By Place Europe December 29 — Charles the Bald, king of West Francia, is crowned emperor 908
• Rajyapala c. Events By Place Asia The Battle of Belach Mugna is fought Zhu Wen kills the last Tang Dynasty emperor 908-c. Events By Place Asia The Battle of Belach Mugna is fought Zhu Wen kills the last Tang Dynasty emperor 935
• Gopala II c. Events By Place Europe Estimation Córdoba, capital of Al-Andalus, becomes the largest city of the world taking the lead 935-c. Events By Place Europe Estimation Córdoba, capital of Al-Andalus, becomes the largest city of the world taking the lead 952
• Vigrahapala II c. Events By Topic Asia Kalbid forces defeat the Byzantines in Calabria. 952-c. Events By Topic Asia Kalbid forces defeat the Byzantines in Calabria. 988
• Mahipala I c. Events By Place Africa Al-Azhar University is founded in Cairo, Egypt (the second oldest university in the world 988-c. Events By Place Africa Al-Azhar University is founded in Cairo, Egypt (the second oldest university in the world 1038
• Nayapala c. 1038-c. 1055
• Vigrahapala III c. 1055-c. 1070
• Mahipala II c. 1070-c. 1075
• Shurapala c. 1075-c. 1077
• Ramapala c. 1077-c. 1120
• Kumarapala c. 1120-c. 1125
• Gopala III c. 1125-c. 1144
• Madanapala c. 1144-c. 1161

Sena Dynasty

• Ballal Sen c. Ballal Sen ( Bangla: বল্লাল সেন (c 1160-1178 AD was the second ruler of the Sen dynasty of Bengal 1161-c. 1178
• Lakshman Sen c. Lakshman Sen (c 1178-1206 AD ( Bangla: লক্ষ্মণ সেন was the third king of the Sen dynasty who ruled for about 28 years 1178-c. 1205
• Vishwrup Sen c. 1205-c. 1220
• Keshavar Sen c. 1220-c. 1250

Ilyas Dynasty (1st period)

• Bughra Khan 1282-1291
• Kai Ka'us 1291-1298
• Firuz Shah I 1298-1318
• Bughra 1318-1319 (in West Bengal)
• Bahadur 1318-1330 (in East Bengal, in West Bengal 1319-1323)
• Ibrahim 1323-1325 (in West Bengal)
• Azam ul-Mulk 1323-1339 (in Satgaon)
• Bahram Shah 1324-1336 (in East Bengal)
• Qadr Khan 1325-1339 (in West Bengal)
• Mubarrak Shah 1336-1349 (in East Bengal)
• Ali Shah 1339-1345 (in West Bengal)
• Ilyas Shah 1345-1357 (in West Bengal, in whole Bengal from 1352)
• Ghazi Shah 1349-1352 (in East Bengal)
• Sikandar I 1357-1390
• Azam 1369-1410 - opponent of Sikandar I
• Hamza 1410-1412
• Bayazid I 1412-1414
• Firuz II 1414-1415

Ganesa Dynasty

• Raja Ganesh 1415-1418
• Mohammed 1418-1431
• Ahmad 1431-1436

Ilyas Dynasty (restored)

• Mahmud I (Nasiruddin Abul Muzaffar Mahmud Shah) 1437-1459
• Barbak I 1459-1474
• Yusuf 1474-1481
• Sikandar II 1481
• Fath Shah 1481-1486

Habshis Dynasty

• Barbak II 1486-1487
• Firuz III 1487-1489
• Mahmud II 1489-1490
• Muzaffar 1490-1494

Husaini Dynasty

• Alauddin Hussain Shah 1494-1518
• Nusrat 1518-1533
• Firuz IV 1533
• Mahmud III 1533-1538

Suri Dynasty

• Sher Shah 1539-1540
• Khidr 1540-1545
• Mohammed Khan 1545-1555
• Bahadur 1555-1561
• Jalal 1561-1564

Karani (Kararani) Dynasty

• Sulaiman 1564-1572
• Bayazid II 1572
• Daoud 1572-1576

Nawabs of Bengal

• Murshid Quli Djafar Khan 1703-1727
• Shoja ud-Din 1727-1739
• Safaraz Khan 1739-1740
• Ali Vardi Khan 1740-1756
• Siraj Ud Daulah 1756-1757
• Mir Djafar 1757-1760
• Mir Qasim 1760-1763
• Mir Djafar (Second time) 1763-1765
• Najm ud-Dawlah 1765-1766
• Saif ud-Dawlah 1766-1770

References

Further reading

• Majumdar, R. C. The History of Bengal ISBN 81-7646-237-3

External links

• A discussion group
• A systematic history
• A short history
• An article on Chandraketugarh by Rangan Datta
• An article on Achipur by Rangan Datta
• An article on Pundooah, Hooghly by Rangan Datta
• An article on Ballal Dhipi by Rangan Datta
• An article on Shivniwas by Rangan Datta
• An article on Dhosa & Tilpi by Rangan Datta
• An article on Karnasubarna by Rangan Datta
• An article on Nandadirghi Vihar by Rangan Datta
• An article on Gour by Rangan Datta
• A travel article on archeological sites near Calcutta by Rangan Datta
• Rangan Datta's personal web-site