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3200-1600 BC :
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The Indus Vally civilization grows up along the banks of the Indus River in what is now Pakistan. The two most important sites uncovered so far by archeologists are Harappa and Mohenjo-Dara.
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1600-1500 BC :
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The Aryans invasion.
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1600-1000 BC :
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Early Vedic period of India.
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1000 BC :
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The Rig Veda, the first Vedic literature, is written.
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1000-600 BC :
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During this period of Indian civilization, the Late Vedic period, the Aryans
are integrated into Indian culture. The caste system emerges.
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800-600 BC :
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The Brahmans, a priestly caste, begin to emerge.
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800-500 BC :
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The Upanishads are written around this time; the doctrines of rebirth and the
transmigration of souls start to appear, leading to important theological transformations
within Hinduism.
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563 BC :
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Gautama Siddharta Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is born somewhere in what is
today Nepal. He will die sometime around 483.
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540 BC :
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Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, is born. He will die around 486.
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517-509 BC :
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Darius the Persian conquers the INDUS VALLEY region, making the area a province
of the Persian Empire.
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500-200 BC :
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The Mahabharata, of which The Bhagavad Gita is a part, is put into final form.
The Bhagavad Gita (text).
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400 BC :
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Panini's Sutra, the earliest Sanskrit grammer, is written.
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400 BC :
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Alexander the Great passes through the INDUS VALLEY installing Greek officials in
the area.
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323 BC :
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Alexander the Great dies, providing the opportunity for an independent state in
India. Chandragupta Maurya founds the Maurya dynasty, the first Indian empire. Its capital
is in Patna. By 184, this dynasty will conquer most of India.
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304 BC :
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Chandragupta trades 500 war elephants to Seleucus in exchange for the Indus region
and regions immediately to the West.
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273-232 BC :
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Ashoka, grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and most impressive ruler in the Maurya
dynasty, rules in India and institutes a series of edicts designed to bring about moral
reform. His policy on reform flows from his Buddhist orientation.
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184 BC :
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The Maurya dynasty ends when the last ruler is assassinated by an ambitious army
commander.
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