Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Late Harappan Cultures
c. 1,900–1,500 BCE
Map layer: Civilizations & Archaeological Cultures
De-urbanisation and regional Late Harappan cultures, alongside the Chalcolithic cultures of central India.
Main polities of this period
| Name | Type | Span | Region | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chalcolithic Cultures | Archaeological culture | c. 3,000–700 BCE | Central | |
| Ochre Coloured Pottery Culture | Archaeological culture | c. 2,000–1,500 BCE | Gangetic Plain | |
| Ahar-Banas Culture | Archaeological culture | c. 3,000–1,500 BCE | West | Ahar / Gilund |
| Malwa Culture | Archaeological culture | c. 1,700–1,200 BCE | Central | Navdatoli |
| Jorwe Culture | Archaeological culture | c. 1,500–900 BCE | Deccan | Inamgaon / Daimabad |
Also existing during this period
Neolithic Kashmir (Burzahom)
North · c. 3,000–1,500 BCE
Indus / Harappan Civilization
Northwest · c. 3,300–1,300 BCE
Early Vedic Communities
Northwest · c. 1,500–1,000 BCE
South Indian Neolithic (Ash-mound cultures)
South · c. 3,000–1,200 BCE
Events
| Year | Event | Polity |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1,900 BCE | Decline of the Harappan cities | Indus / Harappan Civilization |
| c. 1,750 BCE | Kalibangan abandoned | Indus / Harappan Civilization |
| c. 1,700 BCE | Malwa culture at Navdatoli | Malwa Culture |
| c. 1,500 BCE | Composition of the Rigveda begins | Early Vedic Communities |
📚 Recommended reading for this era
Textbook
India's Ancient Past
The expanded version of the classic old-NCERT ancient India text; clear and exam-friendly.
Reference
A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India
The most complete modern textbook on ancient India, rich in sources, maps and archaeology.
Textbook
Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. See all recommended books →