ANCIENT INDIA ... CIVILIZATIONS & DYNASTIES

HOMO ERECTUS -MAN LIKE   -5LAC YEARS AGO
HOMOSAPIENS:                           1 LAC YEARS AGO

• The Indus Valley Civilization--------- c. 3300 to 1300 BCE, was the first major civilization in India..
• The Mature Harappan period(  This Bronze Age civilization )-- from 2600 to 1900 BCE. 
•  Iron Age Vedic Civilization,( the Mahajanapadas) -------  In one of these kingdoms, Magadha, Mahavira and Gautama Buddha were born in the 6th or 5th century BCE and propagated their śramanic philosophies.
•  The Maurya Empire --------------------- the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE.  
•  Middle kingdoms (   classical period )----------------------for the next 1,500 years.  {the largest economy of the ancient and medieval world, controlling between one third and one fourth of the world's wealth up to the 18th century}.
• the Gupta Empire.   ( the "Golden Age of India )-------------- 320 to 550 AD.(  northern and central India).  southern India, under the rule of the Chalukyas, Cholas, Pallavas, and Pandyas, experienced its own golden age.    the Golden Age of India and was marked by extensive achievements in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy that crystallized the elements of what is generally known as Hindu culture. The decimal numeral system, including the concept of zero, was invented in India during this period. The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors in India.
  
   cultural creativity  Architecture, sculpture, and painting. The Gupta period produced scholars such as Kalidasa, Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Vishnu Sharma, and Vatsyayana who made great advancements in many academic fields.
• Northwestern hybrid cultures -
   The founder of the Indo-Greek Kingdom, Demetrius I "the Invincible" (205–171 BCE).{  ruled afghanistan and Pakistan. }
• Indo-Greek kingdom, Indo-Scythians, Indo-Parthian Kingdom, and Indo-Sassanids
   The Indo-Scythians were a branch of the Indo-European Sakas (Scythians) who migrated from southern Siberia.. (200 BC to 100 BC )
• the Indo-Parthians (also known as the Pahlavas),  (RULED  over Afghanistan and northern Pakistan). 

• The Sassanid empire of Persia,  (contemporaneous with the Gupta Empire), ruled  Balochistan, .

 Kushan Empire -from 50 BC to 225AD.
 From Afghanistan - Kadphises,  Kanishka,  conquered most of northern India,  important role in the establishment of Buddhism in India and its spread to Central Asia and China.