Important Dates in Indian History

The major INA trials began in 1945 at the Red Fort in Delhi. The British prosecuted officers such as Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sahgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon. 1947 was the year of Indian independence, not the beginning of the trials. Exam tip: Link the INA trials with the Red Fort and 1945.

Nalanda University is generally dated to the 5th century. Remember it as a major centre of learning in ancient India.

The Slave dynasty began in 1206 CE with Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Link it with the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate.

The Sayyid dynasty was founded in 1414 CE by Khizr Khan. It came to power in Delhi after the Tughlaq dynasty.

Kabir's birth is generally dated around 1398 CE. Remember dates of Bhakti saints with approximate context.

Babur captured Kabul in 1504 CE. Major dates of Babur's life are useful in Mughal history.

The Battle of Ghaghra was fought in 1529 CE between Babur and Afghan forces. Remember Babur's battles in order from 1526 to 1529.

Babur died at Agra in 1530 CE, after which his son Humayun succeeded him as the Mughal emperor. 1526 CE was not the year of Babur's death; it was the year of the First Battle of Panipat, when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and established Mughal rule. Exam tip: Remember 1526 for the First Battle of Panipat and 1530 for Babur's death.

The Battle of Kannauj was fought in 1540 CE between Humayun and Sher Shah Suri. After this battle Humayun had to leave India.

Akbar was crowned in 1556 CE at Kalanaur in Punjab when he was about 13 years old. In 1555 CE, his father Humayun regained Delhi; it was not the year of Akbar’s coronation. Exam tip: Remember 1556 CE for both Akbar’s coronation and the Second Battle of Panipat.

Akbar introduced Din-i Ilahi in 1582 CE. It was not a mass religion; rather, it was an ethical-spiritual order influenced by ideas from different faiths and associated with Akbar's policy of sulh-i kul. 1605 CE was the year of Akbar's death, so it is not correct. Exam tip: Remember 1582 CE as the date of Din-i Ilahi.

The East India Company established a factory at Surat in 1613 CE. Connect it with the expansion of English trade in India.

Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, was martyred in 1606 CE. His martyrdom is an important event in Sikh history and occurred during the early seventeenth century. The date should be distinguished from the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675 and from the birth or accession dates associated with other historical figures. Accurate chronology helps students place major developments in Sikh history in the correct period.

Option D, 1606 CE, is correct. Option A, 1582, is too early, and option B, 1605, is associated with a nearby period but not the year of Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom. Option C, 1675, refers to a later Sikh martyrdom, that of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Thus the correct choice follows from matching the event with its established historical year: Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom occurred in 1606.

Fort St George was established in Madras in 1639 CE. It was an important English trading centre.

Aurangzeb became the Mughal emperor in 1658 CE. Link his reign with the long phase of the Mughal Empire.

The establishment of Fort William is generally dated to 1700 CE. Link it with English trading power in Bengal.

Nadir Shah invaded India in 1739 CE. This date is famous because of the plunder of Delhi.

Hyder Ali became the real ruler of Mysore in 1761 CE. This date is important in the history of Mysore.

The Rohilla War was fought in 1774 CE. This date is useful among regional events of British expansion.

The Third Anglo-Mysore War ended in 1792 CE with the Treaty of Seringapatam. Tipu Sultan had to cede territories to the British East India Company and its allies. The year 1799 CE marks the end of the Fourth, not the Third, Anglo-Mysore War. Exam tip: Remember the pair—Third War: 1792, Treaty of Seringapatam.