A History Timeline for Quick Revision: Key Dates of India
The most-tested dates in modern Indian history from the Mughals to Independence, arranged as a timeline for quick revision.
History questions reward a clear timeline. Learn the sequence first, then fill in details.
Medieval to early modern
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1526 | First Battle of Panipat; Babur founds the Mughal Empire |
| 1556 | Second Battle of Panipat; Akbar secures Mughal rule |
| 1600 | English East India Company is founded |
| 1674 | Shivaji is crowned |
Rise of British power
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1757 | Battle of Plassey |
| 1764 | Battle of Buxar |
| 1857 | Revolt of 1857 |
| 1858 | Power passes from the East India Company to the British Crown |
Nationalist movement
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1885 | Indian National Congress founded |
| 1905 | Partition of Bengal |
| 1906 | Muslim League founded |
| 1915 | Gandhi returns to India |
| 1919 | Jallianwala Bagh massacre |
| 1920–22 | Non-Cooperation Movement |
| 1930 | Dandi March; Civil Disobedience Movement |
| 1942 | Quit India Movement |
Independence and after
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Independence and Partition, 15 August |
| 1950 | Constitution comes into force; India becomes a republic on 26 January |
Patterns to remember
- The Congress was founded before the Muslim League.
- Non-Cooperation followed Jallianwala Bagh.
- Dandi March (1930) protested the salt law.
- Quit India (1942) was launched during the Second World War.
Famous leaders
| Leader | Known for |
|---|---|
| Mahatma Gandhi | non-violent resistance |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | first Prime Minister |
| Subhas Chandra Bose | Indian National Army |
| Sardar Patel | integration of princely states |
| B. R. Ambedkar | chairman of the Drafting Committee |
Memory tips
- Make a timeline on one page.
- Group events by decade.
- Link events into a story: cause and effect.
- Revise a little every day.
A caution
Some dates vary slightly between textbooks. Learn the year, and for exact days, follow your prescribed syllabus.
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