Subcontinent to republicOur World

India

Explore selected societies of the subcontinent and the formation of the modern Indian republic.

Subject guide · scope, chapters & sources ↗

Curated overview · Ancient cultures, empires and modern India are not one uninterrupted state. This short selection spans changing territories and leaves many regional histories for future roads.

c. 2600–1900 BCESouth Asia

Indus cities flourish

Large planned cities develop across the northwestern subcontinent.

Brick-lined rectangular Great Bath surrounded by excavated walls at Mohenjo-daro. — Comrogues · CC BY 2.0

c. 320 BCESouth Asia

Mauryan Empire

A dynasty begins a major South Asian unification.

Stone lion capital with four outward-facing lions above a carved circular base. — Chrisi1964 · CC BY-SA 4.0

1526 CESouth Asia

Mughal Empire

A new dynasty reshapes South Asia.

Mughal manuscript painting of opposing armies at the Battle of Panipat. — Unknown Mughal court artists, illustrated Baburnama, c. 1598 · Public domain

1858 CESouth Asia

Crown rule replaces Company government

Britain transfers governing powers from the East India Company.

1947 CESouth Asia

India gains independence

British rule ends amid partition.

Jawaharlal Nehru standing before Lord Mountbatten at the 1947 swearing-in ceremony. — Government of India Photo Division · Public domain

26 January 1950South Asia

A republic under the Constitution

India’s Constitution comes into force.