Important Dates in Indian History

Alexander's Indian campaign is linked with 326 BCE. For exams remember dates of ancient invasions.

Ashoka's coronation is generally linked with 268 BCE. For exams keep coronation and Kalinga War dates separate.

The Gupta Era is linked with 320 CE. For exams remember starts of Indian eras and empires.

Harshavardhana's reign is considered to begin in 606 CE. For exams remember beginning and ending dates of Harsha's period.

The First Battle of Tarain took place in 1191. For exams keep the dates of both Tarain battles separate.

Muhammad bin Qasim's Sindh campaign is associated with 712 CE. For exams, link it with the beginning of Arab influence in India.

The Delhi Sultanate is considered to have begun in 1206 CE. Link it with Qutb-ud-din Aibak and the Slave dynasty.

Timur invaded Delhi in 1398 CE. The Delhi Sultanate was weak during the later Tughlaq period, enabling Timur's forces to plunder the city and cause widespread destruction. 1451 CE marks the beginning of the Lodi dynasty, not Timur's invasion. Exam tip: Remember Timur's invasion of Delhi with 1398 CE and the decline of the Tughlaqs.

The naval Battle of Diu was fought in 1509 CE. It was important for Portuguese naval power.

The Battle of Khanwa was fought in 1527 CE. It was a major conflict in north Indian history between Babur and the Rajput forces led by Rana Sanga. The battle took place after Babur’s victory at Panipat in 1526 and helped strengthen his position in northern India. Remembering the sequence is useful: Panipat was in 1526, while Khanwa followed in 1527. This distinction prevents confusion between two important battles associated with Babur’s expansion.

Option B, 1527 CE, is therefore correct. Option A, 1526 CE, refers to the First Battle of Panipat, not Khanwa. Option C, 1540 CE, is associated with the conflict between Humayun and Sher Shah Suri at Kannauj, while option D, 1556 CE, is the year of the Second Battle of Panipat. The dates identify different historical events, so the name of the battle must be matched carefully with its year.

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

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

Sir Thomas Roe reached Jahangir's court in 1615 CE. Remember it with English efforts to secure trade privileges.

Jahangir died in 1627 CE. Remember it as the event before the beginning of Shah Jahan's reign.

The English acquired the Madras area in 1639 CE. Link it with Fort St George and English trade in South India.

Aurangzeb established control over the Mughal throne in 1658 CE after defeating his brothers in the war of succession. He also confined his father, Shah Jahan, at Agra Fort. 1707 CE is not the year he took power; it is the year of Aurangzeb’s death. Exam tip: Remember 1658 for Aurangzeb’s accession to power and 1707 for his death.

Nadir Shah invaded Delhi in 1739 CE. It is considered a major sign of the weakness of the Mughal Empire.

The Treaty of Seringapatam was signed in 1792 CE. Link it with Tipu Sultan and the Third Mysore War.

The Charter Act of 1813 limited the Company's trade monopoly. Link it with British trade policy and missionary activities.

The Charter Act of 1833 ended the Company's commercial functions. Link it with the Company's administrative transformation.