brief history

2500BC	Indus River civilisation. Two main cities are Harappa and Mohenjo Daro.
1750BC	Aryan migration into Northwest by nomadic herding tribes from Iranian plateau; Indo - European language development.
1000BC	Early Hinduism characterised by sacrificial rituals, belief in karma and reincarnation and division of society into four classes (varnas).
500BC	Buddhism and Jainism introduced.
324BC	Domination of North India by Chandragupta Maurya, extended to South by grandson, Ashoka.
250BC	Development/diffusion of Sanskrit culture.
232BC	Ashoka dies.
200BC	Invasions of Northern India by Central Asian tribes such as the Shakas; Kushanas.
184BC	Mauryan Empire collapses. The Sungas rule. 1 AD Buddhism and classical Hindu traditions evolve and develop.
320AD	Gupta Dynasty dominates North India at beginning of “classical” period.
455AD	Invasions by the Huns. Gupta Dynasty collapses.
650AD	Rajput and South Indian Dynasties. Warlike clans appear in Rajasthan. Pallava dynasty dominates the south continuing conflict with Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas.
711AD	Arabs take Sind.
1000AD	Raids of Mahmud of Ghazni. Invasions of Muslims from Central Asia lead to political dominance of Muslims in North India and introduction of Persian culture and Islamic religion into South Asia.
1192	Turko-Afghan chieftains establish sultanate at Delhi and dominate North India.
1336	Rise of Hindu Vijayanagar Empire in South India; independent of Muslim rulers until destruction of capital city in 1565.
1526	Rise of Mughal Empire that unifies North and parts of South India under its rule; amalgam of Persian and Indian culture created in its courts and territories.
1609	Establishment of trading outposts in India: Dutch (1609); English (1612): French (1674).
1700	Weakening of Mughal authority frees local Muslim rulers: rise of indigenous regional powers: Sikhs (Punjab), Rajputs (Rajasthan), and Marathas (West India).
1757	Battle of Plassey. Victory over Nawab of Bengal gives East India Company control of Bengal. Expansion of British power and the Raj in India begins.
1800	British Rule. Political dominance of Britain introduces Western culture, language, methods of government, and technology into urban administrative centres.
1947	Independence from British rule: partition of British India into modern countries of India and Pakistan (East and West). Jawarharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister swept into power.
1948	Mahatma Gandhi assassinated.
1966	Indira Gandhi elected to power.
1971	India and Pakistan War leads to creation of Bangladesh.
1984	Indira Gandhi assassinated, son Rajiv takes the reins.
1991	Rajiv Gandhi assassinated.
1998	Shri Vajpayee elected Prime Minister.
2004	Dr Manmohan Singh elected Prime Minister.
2006	India wins 4 prestigious awards, including 'The Best Asian Destination' at the World Travel Market.

Wildlife, Food & Wellbeing tours of India

On the go is a specialist operator of cultural tours and tailor-made holidays in India and other parts of the sub-continent including Sri Lanka and Nepal. Fun and informative escorted group tours of Northern India include highlights such as Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, the best of Rajasthan including Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur, Khajuraho and holy Varanasi. We also specialise in putting together tailor-made holidays and tours to India, so if you would like to have a private holiday in India, look not further than us - its our area of expertise! From Kashmir to Kerala, we have India covered. See the real India with on the go tours!