Important Dates in Indian History

Harshavardhana's death is generally placed in 647 CE. For exams remember the beginning and end dates of Harsha's period.

Mahmud of Ghazni's famous attack on Somnath took place in 1025 CE. For exams remember dates of medieval invasions.

The direct answer is A: the Slave Dynasty was founded in 1206 CE. In standard Indian history, Qutb-ud-din Aibak became the first ruler of the Mamluk or Slave Dynasty after the death of Muhammad Ghori, and this marks the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate in 1206. Step by step, Muhammad Ghori died in 1206; Aibak established authority in Delhi; therefore the dynasty is dated to 1206 CE. Option A is correct. Option B, 1290, marks the beginning of the Khalji Dynasty, not the Slave Dynasty. Option C, 1320, is associated with the beginning of the Tughlaq Dynasty. Option D, 1451, marks the beginning of the Lodi Dynasty. Thus the dates identify different ruling dynasties. Exam cue: remember the sequence “1206 Mamluk, 1290 Khalji, 1320 Tughlaq, 1451 Lodi.”

Razia Sultan's reign began in 1236 CE. For exams remember the date linked with the woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.

Balban's reign is considered to begin in 1266 CE. For exams connect Balban with strict kingship.

Alauddin Khalji became Sultan in 1296 CE. For exams connect his reign with market reforms and resistance to Mongols.

The Lodi dynasty was founded in 1451 CE by Bahlol Lodi. For exams remember the order and years of Sultanate dynasties.

Guru Nanak Dev, the founder and first Guru of Sikhism, was born in 1469 CE at Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi, later known as Nankana Sahib. His teachings emphasized devotion to one God, honest work, sharing with others, and equality among people. The year 1469 is a standard historical date associated with his birth and is frequently used in school history and general-knowledge questions.

Option A, 1469 CE, is therefore correct. The other years belong to different historical events or periods and do not match Guru Nanak Dev’s birth. The question asks only for the year, so the essential reasoning is to recall this well-established date rather than calculate it. A useful memory connection is that Guru Nanak Dev was born in the fifteenth century, long before the Mughal period’s later major events. The answer should be written as 1469 CE or 1469 ईस्वी.

Vasco da Gama reached Calicut in 1498 CE. For exams remember the date of the European sea route to India.

The direct answer is A: the Portuguese captured Goa in 1510 CE. To understand the date, remember the sequence: Portuguese explorer and administrator Afonso de Albuquerque captured Goa in 1510, making it an important Portuguese base on the western coast of India. Option A is correct because 1510 is the accepted year of the Portuguese conquest of Goa. Option B, 1526, is associated with Babur’s victory at Panipat and the beginning of Mughal rule, not the capture of Goa. Option C, 1600, is linked broadly with the English East India Company’s charter, not this event. Option D, 1757, is associated with the Battle of Plassey, not Portuguese control of Goa. Memory cue: Goa—Portuguese—1510; Plassey—1757.

Babur laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire after the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. For exams connect Mughal foundation with Panipat.

The Battle of Chausa was fought in 1539 between Humayun and Sher Shah Suri. For exams remember dates of Humayun's defeats.

The Battle of Kannauj took place in 1540 and Humayun lost power. For exams remember the sequence of Chausa and Kannauj.

The direct answer is B: 1556 CE. Akbar became Mughal emperor in 1556 after the death of his father, Humayun. Because Akbar was still young, Bairam Khan initially played an important role in administration. In the same year, the Second Battle of Panipat was fought between Akbar’s forces and Hemu; Akbar’s victory strengthened Mughal control in north India. Option A, 1540 CE, is wrong because it is associated with Sher Shah Suri’s victory over Humayun and not the beginning of Akbar’s reign. Option B, 1556 CE, is correct. Option C, 1576 CE, is wrong because it is the year of the Battle of Haldighati, not the accession of Akbar. Option D, 1605 CE, is wrong because Akbar died in that year and was succeeded by Jahangir; it marks the end, not the beginning, of his reign. Memory cue: Akbar begins in 1556; connect the year with the Second Battle of Panipat.

Maharana Pratap was born in 1540 CE. For exams connect him with Mewar and the Battle of Haldighati.

The direct answer is B: 1582 CE. Din-i-Ilahi, also called the Divine Faith in many school accounts, was associated with Akbar’s effort to promote tolerance and a broad ethical outlook among selected followers. The date reasoning is: Akbar ruled from 1556 to 1605; his major religious discussions and experiments developed during the later part of his reign; Din-i-Ilahi is conventionally dated to 1582. Option B is therefore correct. Option A, 1576, is not the accepted year for its beginning; that year is associated with the Battle of Haldighati. Option C, 1605, is the year Akbar died, not the year he began this policy. Option D, 1658, belongs to the later Mughal period and is after Akbar’s reign. Memory cue: Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi—1582; Akbar’s death—1605.

The East India Company received its charter in 1600. For exams remember the Company's foundation year clearly.

Jahangir's reign began in 1605 CE after Akbar's death. For exams remember the Mughal succession order.

The direct answer is B: Shah Jahan’s reign began in 1628 CE. After the death of his father, Jahangir, in 1627, Prince Khurram became emperor as Shah Jahan in 1628. He ruled until 1658, when Aurangzeb took power after the war of succession. Option B is correct because 1628 is the accepted beginning of his reign. Option A, 1605, is wrong because it marks Jahangir’s accession, not Shah Jahan’s. Option C, 1658, is wrong as the end of Shah Jahan’s effective reign and Aurangzeb’s accession are connected with that year. Option D, 1707, is wrong because it is the year of Aurangzeb’s death and does not begin Shah Jahan’s rule. Shah Jahan is also remembered for major Mughal architecture, including the Taj Mahal. Exam cue: “Jahangir 1605, Shah Jahan 1628, Aurangzeb 1658.”

Shivaji Maharaj's birth is placed in 1627 CE. For exams connect him with the rise of Maratha power.

Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom took place in 1675 CE. For exams remember important dates of Sikh history.

Banda Singh Bahadur's victory at Sirhind is linked with 1710. For exams remember dates of Sikh resistance.

The Treaty of Allahabad took place in 1765 and the Company received Diwani rights. For exams remember events after Buxar.

Rani Lakshmibai, whose childhood name was Manikarnika, was born in 1828 CE. She became a leading figure of Jhansi during the Revolt of 1857; therefore, 1857 is associated with the revolt, not with her birth. Exam tip: remember the sequence—birth in 1828, Revolt of 1857, and death in 1858.

The British annexed Awadh in 1856 during Lord Dalhousie’s tenure. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was removed and the kingdom was brought under British rule. 1857 marks the beginning of the Revolt, not the annexation of Awadh. Exam tip: Remember 1856 for the annexation of Awadh and 1857 for the Revolt.