IAS Prelims: General Studies (Ancient Indian History) - Periodisation & Eras

Ancient Indian History

Periodisation of Ancient Indian History

Palaeolithic Age 5,00,000 B.C. to 10,000 B.C. (i) Early or lower Palaeolithic Phase

(ii) Middle Palaeolithic Phase 50,000 B.C. to 40,000 B.C.

(iii) Upper Palaeolithic Phase 40,000 to 10,000 B.C.
Mesolithic Age 9,000 B.C. to 4,000 B.C.  
Neolithic Age 5,000 B.C. to 1,800 B.C.  
Chalcolithic Age 1,800 B.C. to 1,000 B.C.  
Iron Age Started from 1,000 B.C. onwards.  
Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) 2,900 B.C. to 1,700 B.C. (i) Early Harappan phase 2,900 B.C. to 2,500 B.C.

(ii) Middle Harappan Phase (Mature Harappan Phase) 2,500 to 2,000 B.C.

(iii) Late Harappan Phase 2,000 B.C. to 1,700 B.C.
Vedic Period 1,500 B.C. to 600 B.C.  
Pre-Mauryan Age 6th Century B.C. to 300 A.D.  
Mauryan Age 321 B.C. to 184 B.C.  
Post-Mauryan Age 200 B.C. to 300 A.D.  
Gupta Period 4th Century A.D. to 6th Century A.D.  
Age of Harsha 606 A.D. to 647 A.D.  
Chalukyas of Badami 543 A.D. to 755 A.D.  
Pallavas of Kanchipuram 560 A.D. to 903 A.D.  

Eras of Ancient Indian History

  • http://www.iasplanner.com/civilservices/images/ancient-history.pngThe Vikrama Era (56 BC) traditionally founded by a king called Vikramaditya, who dorve the Sakas out of Ujjain and founded the era to celebrate the victory.

  • The Saka Era (320 AD) was, according to tradition, founded by a Saka King who occupied Ujjain 137 years after Vikramaditya. This era may in fact have been founded by Kanishka.
  • The Gupta Era (320 AD) was probably founded by Chandra Gupta I.
  • The Harsha Era (606 AD) was founded by Harshvardhana of Kannauj and was popular in northern India for a century of two after his death.
  • The Kalachuri Era (248 AD) was perhaps founded by a small dynasty called the Traikutakas (Trikuta).
  • The Laksnmana Era of Bengal (1119 AD): It is said to have been founded by King Lakshmana Sena.
  • The Era of the Kaliyuga (3102 BC) was usually used for religious dates and rarely for political events.
  • Buddha Era (544 BC) was in use in Ceylon from uncertain date. Often used for religious purpose.
  • Era of Mahavira (528 BC): The Jainas use it for religious purpose.
  • The Saptarsi of Laukika Era - Used in Kashmir in the Middle ages, and recorded in cycles of one hundred years, each cycle commencing 76 years after each Christian centuary.
  • Nevar Era of Nepal (878 AD) was used in Nepal.
  • Kollam Era of Kerala (825 AD) was used in Kerala.
  • The Era of Vikramaditya VI Chalukya (1075 AD) was used in the early medieval period.
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