Important Dates in Indian History

The Second Battle of Panipat was fought in 1556 CE. It was fought between the Mughal forces of the young emperor Akbar, led by Bairam Khan, and the forces of Hemu, who had captured Delhi and Agra. Akbar’s victory restored Mughal authority in northern India and secured the position of the Mughal dynasty after the early instability following Humayun’s death. Option B is therefore correct. The other dates refer to different events: 1526 was the First Battle of Panipat between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi; 1600 is not the date of a Panipat battle; and 1761 was the Third Battle of Panipat between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali.

Alexander's invasion of India is linked with 326 BCE. For exams remember dates of ancient invasions separately.

The Saka Era is conventionally counted from 78 CE. It is an important historical calendar era used in Indian chronology and is also connected with the national calendar of India. The year is often remembered as a starting point, although converting a Saka year into a Gregorian year can depend on the date and calendar month. For this school-level question, the required historical association is simply 78 CE.

Option A is correct because it gives 78 CE. The other dates refer to different historical periods: 320 CE is associated with the beginning of the Gupta Era, 606 CE is connected with the reign of Harshavardhana, and 1206 CE is commonly used for the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate period. Therefore none of those alternatives identifies the conventional beginning of the Saka Era.

The Gupta Era is generally linked with 320 CE. For exams remember important dates of the Gupta period.

Harshavardhana's rule is considered to begin in 606 CE. For exams remember accession dates of rulers.

Muhammad bin Qasim's Sindh campaign is linked with 712 CE. For exams remember Sindh and the Arab invasion together.

The First Battle of Tarain was fought in 1191 CE. For exams keep dates of the first and second Tarain battles separate.

The Delhi Sultanate is considered to begin in 1206 CE. For exams connect this date with the beginning of the Slave dynasty.

The Khalji dynasty began in 1290 CE. For exams remember the order and years of Delhi Sultanate dynasties.

The Tughlaq dynasty was founded by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq in 1320 CE, after the Khalji dynasty in the Delhi Sultanate. 1290 CE is a close distractor because it marks the rise of the Khalji dynasty, not the Tughlaqs. Exam tip: Remember the Delhi Sultanate dynasties in order—Mamluk, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi.

Timur invaded India in 1398 CE and attacked Delhi during this campaign. 1526 CE is associated with Babur's invasion and the First Battle of Panipat, so it is not the correct option. Exam tip: Remember Timur—1398 and Babur—1526 separately.

Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498 CE. For exams remember the sea route and European arrival together.

The First Battle of Panipat was fought in 1526 between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi. For exams remember battles with outcomes.

The Battle of Khanwa was fought in 1527 between Babur and Rana Sanga. For exams remember the sequence of Babur's major battles.

The Second Battle of Panipat took place in 1556 and strengthened Akbar's power. For exams keep the dates of all three Panipat battles separate.

Akbar died in 1605 and Jahangir came to the throne. For exams remember dates of Mughal succession.

Sir Thomas Roe came to Jahangir's court in 1615. For exams connect European envoys with Mughal rulers.

Construction of the Taj Mahal is generally considered to have begun around 1632. For exams remember monuments and construction periods.

Aurangzeb's rule is considered to begin in 1658. For exams remember starting years of Mughal rulers' reigns.

Nadir Shah invaded Delhi in 1739. For exams remember invasions that indicate Mughal decline.