Important Dates in Indian History

The Battle of Hydaspes was fought in 326 BCE between Alexander and Porus. For exams, link it with Alexander's Indian campaign.

The Mauryan Empire is generally considered to have ended around 185 BCE. Link it with the rise of Pushyamitra Shunga.

Vikram Samvat is a traditional Indian calendar era whose beginning is conventionally placed in 57 BCE. In many historical explanations, the era is associated with King Vikramaditya, although details about the traditional origin and the historical evidence are discussed differently by scholars. For this school-level question, the expected date is therefore 57 BCE, which is option B.

The other dates represent different historical reference points or are not the accepted starting date of this era. The Saka era is commonly associated with 78 CE, so option C must not be confused with Vikram Samvat. The question asks for the conventional beginning of the Vikram era, not for a later calendar calculation or a modern calendar conversion. Thus B follows from the standard textbook convention.

The direct answer is B: Harshavardhana began his rule in 606 CE. Harsha was a major ruler of northern India in the early seventh century. After the death of his brother Rajyavardhana, Harsha became ruler and later connected his power with Kannauj. To solve the question, compare the dates: 320 CE belongs to the Gupta period’s beginning, 606 CE matches Harsha, 712 CE is associated with the Arab conquest of Sindh under Muhammad bin Qasim, and 1206 CE marks the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate under Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Thus option B is correct. Option A is too early and belongs to a different historical context. Option B gives Harsha’s accepted accession year. Option C is later than Harsha and relates to early medieval invasions. Option D is much later and relates to the Delhi Sultanate. Exam cue: remember Harsha with 606 CE and Kannauj.

Balban assumed rule in 1266 CE. Remember him with strict centralisation and dignity of kingship.

The English East India Company received its charter in 1600 CE. Link it with the beginning of English trade in India.

Captain Hawkins reached Surat in 1608 CE. Link it with early English contact with the Mughal court.

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan began the construction of the Taj Mahal in 1632 CE in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. By 1639 CE, the main mausoleum was largely completed, so it is not the year construction began. Exam tip: Remember 1632 CE as the start of construction and associate the Taj Mahal with Shah Jahan.

Gautama Buddha is generally considered to have been born in 563 BCE. For exams, remember it with Lumbini and the Shakya clan.

Gautama Buddha's Mahaparinirvana is generally considered to have taken place in 483 BCE. Link it with Kushinagar and Buddhist history.

Mahavira Swami is generally considered to have been born in 599 BCE. Remember him as the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of Jainism.

Mahavira Swami's Nirvana is generally considered to have taken place in 527 BCE. Link it with Pawapuri and Jain tradition.

Chandragupta Maurya is generally considered to have died in 297 BCE. Remember him as the founder of the Mauryan Empire.

Emperor Ashoka is generally considered to have been born in 304 BCE. Link him with the Kalinga War and Dhamma policy.

Emperor Ashoka is generally considered to have died in 232 BCE. Remember it as an important year in the Mauryan timeline.

The direct answer is B: Aryabhata was born in 476 CE. Aryabhata was an important Indian mathematician and astronomer, and he wrote the Aryabhatiya. To solve this recall question, connect his name with the early Gupta-period scientific tradition and the standard date 476 CE. Option B is correct because 476 CE is the commonly taught year of his birth. Option A, 320 CE, is associated with an earlier period and is not the standard birth year of Aryabhata. Option C, 505 CE, is sometimes seen in historical date lists for other events or people, but it is not the accepted school answer for his birth. Option D, 550 CE, is too late and does not match the standard date. Do not confuse his birth year with dates of his works or later astronomers. Memory cue: “Aryabhata—four seven six,” or 476 CE; associate him with mathematics, astronomy, place-value ideas, and the Aryabhatiya.

Aryabhata is generally considered to have died in 550 CE. For exams, also remember his work Aryabhatiya.

Varahamihira is generally considered to have been born in 505 CE. Remember him with astrology and astronomy.

Varahamihira is generally considered to have died in 587 CE. In exams, link him with Brihat Samhita.

The direct answer is B: 598 CE. Brahmagupta was an important Indian mathematician and astronomer, born in 598 CE. The question asks for his birth year, not the year of a book or discovery. Read the dates carefully: 550 CE is an earlier date, but it is not Brahmagupta’s accepted birth year. 598 CE is the standard historical answer. 606 CE is associated with a later period and is not his birth year. 668 CE is commonly remembered as the approximate year of his death, not his birth. Therefore B is correct. Remember: Brahmagupta—598 CE; connect his name with zero, negative numbers and mathematical rules. Confidence is high because this is a standard biographical fact.

Brahmagupta is generally considered to have died in 668 CE. Remember him with Brahmasphuta Siddhanta.

Harshavardhana is generally considered to have been born in 590 CE. Remember him as a ruler of Kannauj and North India.

Muhammad bin Qasim is generally considered to have been born in 695 CE. He is remembered in Indian history for the Sindh campaign.

Muhammad bin Qasim is generally considered to have died in 715 CE. In exams, link him with the Sindh invasion of 712 CE.

Prithviraj Chauhan is generally considered to have been born in 1166 CE. Remember him with the Battles of Tarain.