Kushan Empire emerges, consolidating the North Western regions of India
Kanishka the Great emerges as leader of the Kushan Empire, leading to cultural and economic prosperity (circa 78)
Mahayana Buddhism is consolidated (circa 100)
Satavahana Dynasty begins to flourish in the Deccan region
Trade relations are formed with the Roman Empire (circa 300)

Chandragupta I forms the Gupta Empire (circa 320)
India flourishes in art, culture and science
Kumaragupta I commissions the construction of the Nalanda University (circa 400). Scholars are attracted from across Asia
Circa 550, Guptan Empire begins to decline, partly due to invasions from the Hunas

Decline of the Gupta Empire leads to the rise of regional powers. Including the Pallavas in the south and the Pratiharas in the north.
Harsha of the Vardhana Dynasty reigns over northern India in the 7th Century
713, the Muslim general Muhammad bin Qasim invades Sindh. Marking the start of Muslim influence in the Indian region.
8th Century the Rashtrakuta Empire begins to rise in the Deccan
Adi Shankaracharya began to revive Hinduism across the country
The Chola Empire emerges in southern India circa 850
9th Century, Pala Empire reaches its peak becoming a significant Buddhist power in eastern India.
Rajendra Chola I expands the Chola Empire’s influence beyond India into South East Asia in the 10th Century
The Ghaznavid Empire, led by Mahmud of Ghazni, launches invasions into northern India. Targeting Hindu temples and establishing Muslim rule in the region.
The First battle (1191) and Second Battle (1192) of Tarain are fought between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad of Ghor, leading to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate after Prithviraj’s defeat.

1206 The establishment of the Delhi Sultanate marks the beginning of Muslim rule in northern India
(1290-1320) The Khilji Dynasty under Alauddin Khilji brings the conquest of Gujarat, Ranthambore, and the Deccan as well as successful defense against Mongol invasions.
The Vijayanagara Empire is founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I in South India. A powerful Hindu kingdom, that resists the Delhi Sultanate.
Timur (Tamerlane) a Turko-Mongol conquerer invades India in 1398 and sacks Delhi. The Delhi Sultanate is weakened and regional Kingdoms such as the Bahmani Sultanate and the Kingdom of Bengal rise.

1526 Babur establishes the Mughal Empire after defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat.
Akbar the Great consolidates Mughal power across most of the Indian between 1556 and 1605
Shivaji is crowned as the first Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire in 1674, establishing a powerful Hindu kingdom in western India that challenges Mughal authority
The British East India Company defeats the Nawab of Bengal and begins it’s colonial dominance over India

Nationalist leaders such as Dadabhai Naoroji, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Mahatma Gandhi rise and the fight for independance leads to the creation of India and Pakistan in 1947 and the end of British Colonial Rule