- The Harappan Civilization is one of the world's oldest civilizations.
- It flourished in the Indus River Valley from about 2500 to 1900 BCE.
- The Harappans were a highly urbanised people who lived in large cities made of baked brick.
- They were skilled in agriculture, irrigation, and trade.
- They also developed a system of writing, but this has not yet been deciphered.
- The Harappan Civilization declined around 1900 BCE for reasons that are still not fully understood.
2. The Gandhara Civilization
- The Gandhara Civilization is another ancient civilization that flourished in the Indus River Valley.
- It was located in what is now Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- The Gandhara Civilization flourished from about 1500 to 500 BCE.
- The Gandharans were a highly cultured people who were influenced by both Indian and Greek culture.
- They produced beautiful art and architecture, and they were also skilled in medicine and astronomy.
3. The Mauryan Empire
- The Mauryan Empire was a large and powerful empire that ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent from 322 to 185 BCE.
- The Mauryans were a highly centralised state that was ruled by a single emperor.
- They were also a very warlike people, and they conquered large parts of India by force.
- The Mauryan Empire was eventually weakened by internal strife and foreign invasions, and it collapsed in 185 BCE.
4. The Gupta Empire
- The Gupta Empire was another large and powerful empire that ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent from 320 to 550 CE.
- The Guptas were a highly cultured people who were influenced by both Hindu and Buddhist philosophy.
- They produced beautiful art and architecture, and they were also skilled in mathematics and astronomy.
- The Gupta Empire was eventually weakened by internal strife and foreign invasions, and it collapsed in 550 CE.