CBSE Class 12 History Important Dates

Understanding the chronological sequence of events is fundamental to studying history. This overview provides a structured timeline of significant dates in Indian history, from prehistoric periods to the dawn of independent India. 

This knowledge is crucial for comprehending the evolution of civilizations, the rise and fall of empires, and the trajectory of India's freedom struggle.

CBSE Class 12  History Starting of the Time

CBSE Class 12 History important dates begin from the earliest prehistoric times, covering key phases and developments in Indian history. To understand the timeline clearly and revise quickly, check the detailed points given below.

Ancient Indian History Timeline

• Ancient Indian history begins with prehistoric ages, classified based on tools and lifestyle.

Prehistoric Ages

• Lower Paleolithic Age

• Around 2 Million BP (Before Present)

• Early stone tools used

• Middle Paleolithic Age

• Around 80,000 BP

• Improved tools and hunting methods

• Upper Paleolithic Age

• Around 35,000 BP

• Better tools, art, and early cultural development

• Mesolithic Age

• Around 12,000 BP

• Transition phase (hunting + early farming)

• Neolithic Age

• Around 10,000 BP

• Beginning of agriculture and settled life

• Chalcolithic Age

• Around 6000 BP

• First use of copper tools

Memory Tip 

• To convert BP → BCE
    Subtract 2000 years

• Example: 35,000 BP → 33,000 BCE

Harappan Civilization Phases

• Early Harappan Phase

• 6000 BCE – 2600 BCE

• Beginning of urban development

• Mature Harappan Phase

• 2600 BCE – 1900 BCE

• Peak civilization (cities, drainage, trade)

• Late Harappan Phase (Decadent Phase)

• 1900 BCE – 1300 BCE

• Decline of urban culture

Later Developments

• Around 1000 BCE

• First use of Iron in India

• Beginning of Megalithic Culture

Development of Philosophy and Civilization

The Early Vedic Period/Tradition, marked by the composition/compilation of Rigveda, occurred between 1500 BCE - 1000 BCE. The Later Vedic Traditions began around 1000 BCE - 500 BCE. The 6th Century BCE was a transformative period, witnessing the Rise of Mahajanapadas, Jainism, and Buddhism.

Key literary and philosophical works emerged:

• 500 BCE: Aṣṭādhyāyī was written by Panini, recognized as the first book on Sanskrit Grammar.

• 500 BCE - 200 BCE: Compilation of Dharmasutras in Sanskrit.

• 500 BCE - 400 CE: Composition of Ramayana and Mahabharata (Mahabharata continued until 500 CE).

• 500 BCE - 100 BCE: Composition of Early Buddhist Texts, including the Pali Tripitaka (Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka).

• 300 BCE - 300 CE: The Sangam Age in South India saw the composition of Tamil Sangam Literature, under the rule of Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties.

• 200 BCE - 200 CE: Composition of Manusmriti.

• Around 100 CE: Medical texts like Charaka Samhita by Charaka and Sushruta Samhita by Sushruta were composed.

• Around 300 CE: Natyashastra by Bharata, the first book on drama and dance, was composed.

• Around 200 BCE: Composition of Mahabhashya by Patanjali. (Memory Tip: Remember this book for chronology-based questions.)

Important Empires

The establishment of major empires significantly shaped Indian history:

• Around 321-322 BCE: Establishment of the Mauryan Empire by Chandragupta Maurya.

• 272/268 BCE - 231 BCE: Rule of Ashoka.

• 78 CE: Establishment of Kanishka's rule and the beginning of the Shaka Era (Shaka Samvat), which forms the basis of the present Indian calendar.

• Around 320 CE: Beginning of the Gupta Empire.

• 375 CE - 415 CE: Rule of Chandragupta II, a significant Gupta emperor.

Medieval Period

The medieval era brought new political and cultural developments:

• 712 CE: Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Sindh.

• 1206 CE: Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate by Qutb al-Din Aibak.

• 1336 CE: Establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire by Harihara and Bukka.

• 1509 CE - 1529 CE: Rule of Krishnadevaraya in Vijayanagara.

• 1526 CE: Babur established the Mughal Empire in India after the First Battle of Panipat.

• 1530 CE - 1540 CE and 1555 CE - 1556 CE: Rule of Humayun (during whose 15-year exile the Sur Empire was established).

• 1565 CE: The Battle of Talikota (also known as Bannihatti or Rakshasi-Tangadi) was fought, leading to the decline of Vijayanagara.

Travelers

Influential travelers and rulers of the medieval and early modern periods include:

• 1973 CE: Birth of Al-Biruni in Khwarizm.

• 1333 CE: Ibn Battuta arrived in Sindh.

• 1466 CE - 1472 CE: Afanasy Nikitin visited India.

• 1469 CE - 1539 CE: Period of Guru Nanak Dev ji.

• 1656 CE - 1668 CE: François Bernier resided in India.

• 1658 CE - 1707 CE: Rule of Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal emperor.

Modern Archaeology

Modern archaeological discoveries have reshaped our understanding of ancient India:

• 1784 CE: Establishment of the Asiatic Society of Bengal by Sir William Jones.

• 1818 CE: Discovery of Sanchi Stupa by William Tyler.

• 1838 CE: James Prinsep deciphered Brahmi and Kharoshthi scripts.

• 1875 CE: Alexander Cunningham prepared the first report on Harappan seals.

• 1921-1922 CE: Dayaram Sahni began excavations at Harappa, and R.D. Banerjee at Mohenjo-Daro.

• 1919 CE - 1966 CE: V.S. Sukthankar and his team worked on the Critical Edition of the Mahabharata.

• 1944 CE: R.M. Wheeler became Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

• 1955 CE: S.R. Rao began excavations at Lothal.

• 1960 CE: B.B. Lal and B.K. Thapar began excavations at Kalibangan.

• 1990 CE: R.S. Bisht began excavations in the Dholavira region.

East India Company's Control in India

The British East India Company gradually established its dominance through key battles and administrative policies:

• 1757 CE: Battle of Plassey.

• 1764 CE: Battle of Buxar (a very important battle).

• 1765 CE: The British East India Company received Diwani Rights for Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.

• 1793 CE: The Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal by Lord Cornwallis.

• 1801 CE: The Subsidiary Alliance was introduced in Awadh by Lord Wellesley.

• 1818 CE: The Raiyatwari Settlement was introduced in the Bombay Deccan.

• 1855-1856 CE: Santhal Rebellion, leading to the creation of Santhal Pargana.

• 1856 CE: Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was deposed from Awadh.

• 1857 Revolt:

• May 10, 1857: The revolt began in Meerut.

• May 11-12, 1857: Mutineers reached Delhi; Bahadur Shah Zafar accepted leadership.

• June 30, 1857: British forces suffered defeat in the Battle of Chinhat, led by Danka Shah.

• June 1858: Rani of Jhansi was martyred.

• 1875 CE: Deccan Riots (Supa Revolt) occurred in Pune/Supa.

Indian National Movement

The struggle for independence culminated in major movements and milestones:

• 1905 CE - 1907 CE: Swadeshi Movement.

• January 9, 1915: Mahatma Gandhi returned to India.

• 1917 CE: Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar.

• 1918 CE: Peasant Movement in Kheda and mill workers' strike in Ahmedabad (Gandhi's earliest Satyagrahas).

• March - April 1919: Rowlatt Satyagraha.

• April 13, 1919: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

• August 1920 CE: Beginning of the Non-Cooperation-Khilafat Movement.

• February 1922: Chauri Chaura incident; Non-Cooperation Movement called off.

• 1928 CE: Simon Commission arrived; Bardoli Satyagraha.

• December 1929: Lahore Congress session demanded Purna Swaraj.

• January 26, 1930: The First Independence Day celebrated.

• March 12 - April 6, 1930: Gandhi's Dandi March or Salt March.

• April 6, 1930: Civil Disobedience Movement started.

• March 1931: Gandhi-Irwin Pact signed.

• September - December 1931: Second Round Table Conference (Mahatma Gandhi represented Congress).

• 1932 CE: Third Round Table Conference; Poona Pact signed.

• 1935 CE: Government of India Act passed.

• 1940 CE: Muslim League passed the Pakistan Resolution.

• August 1942: Quit India Movement started.

• May 16, 1946: Cabinet Mission presented its constitutional scheme.

• August 16, 1946: Muslim League observed Direct Action Day.

• September 2, 1946: Interim Government formed with Jawaharlal Nehru as head.

• December 9, 1946: First meeting of the Constituent Assembly.

• December 13, 1946: Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objective Resolution.

• August 14, 1947: Pakistan gained Independence.

• August 15, 1947: India gained Independence.

• January 26, 1950: The Constitution of India came into effect.