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In this gallery, we examine the Indian subcontinent through nine maps to illustrate the region's history and rich tapestry of diverse cultures, civilizations, and pivotal events spanning millennia.
The Vedic period established the groundwork with the introduction of sacred Vedas and Indo-Aryan settlements. Under the reign of Ashoka the Great, the Maurya Empire embraced Buddhism and non-violence, contributing to India's spiritual legacy. The Gupta Empire then ushered in a "Golden Age" marked by significant advancements in science and literature. Throughout the medieval era, various dynasties and cultural synthesis flourished. The Mughal Empire, known for architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal, made a lasting impact on India's cultural landscape. Subsequently, the rise of the British East India Company led to the establishment of the British Raj. The struggle for independence, championed by Mahatma Gandhi, culminated in India gaining independence in 1947, accompanied by the partition of the country.
A map illustrating the evolution of the cultures on the northern Indian subcontinent with the arrival of the Aryan nomads during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age known as the Vedic age (c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE), when the Vedic literature was composed, between the end of the Indus ValleyCivilisation and the establishment of the Mahajanapadas ("Great Realms") on the central Indo-Gangetic Plain c. 500 BCE.
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