Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Indus / Harappan Civilization
c. 2,600–1,900 BCE
Map layer: Civilizations & Archaeological Cultures
The mature urban phase: planned cities, standardised weights, seals and long-distance trade.
Main polities of this period
| Name | Type | Span | Region | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indus / Harappan Civilization ★ | Civilization | c. 3,300–1,300 BCE | Northwest | Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira |
Also existing during this period
Chalcolithic Cultures
Central · c. 3,000–700 BCE
Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture
Gangetic Plain · c. 2,000–1,500 BCE
Neolithic Kashmir (Burzahom)
North · c. 3,000–1,500 BCE
Mehrgarh Cultural Tradition
Northwest · c. 7,000–2,600 BCE
South Indian Neolithic (Ash-mound cultures)
South · c. 3,000–1,200 BCE
Events
| Year | Event | Polity |
|---|---|---|
| c. 2,600 BCE | Mature Harappan urban phase begins | Indus / Harappan Civilization |
| c. 2,500 BCE | Dholavira's reservoirs and 'signboard' | Indus / Harappan Civilization |
| c. 2,400 BCE | Lothal dockyard in use | Indus / Harappan Civilization |
| c. 2,300 BCE | Harappan trade with Mesopotamia ('Meluhha') | Indus / Harappan Civilization |
| c. 2,000 BCE | Copper hoards and OCP settlements in the doab | Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture |
| c. 1,900 BCE | Decline of the Harappan cities | Indus / Harappan Civilization |
📚 Recommended reading for this era
Reference
A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India
The most complete modern textbook on ancient India, rich in sources, maps and archaeology.
Reference
Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization
An archaeologist's lavishly illustrated account of the Harappan cities.
Popular history
Early Indians
A lively look at who the first Indians were, drawing on genetics and archaeology.
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