Historical region
South Asia
A civilizational region of monsoons, philosophies and dynasties whose ideas shape a quarter of humanity.
Overview
From the planned cities of the Indus Valley through the Mauryan and Gupta golden ages to the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals and the British Raj, South Asia's history is one of extraordinary religious and cultural creativity.
Historical timeline
- c. 3300 – 1300 BCEIndus Valley Civilization
- 1500 – 500 BCEVedic period
- 322 BCE – 550 CEMauryan and Gupta empires
- 1206 – 1526Delhi Sultanate
- 1526 – 1857Mughal Empire
- 1858 – 1947British Raj
Civilizations
The Timurid empire of Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb that ruled most of India for three centuries.
One of the four original cradles of civilization, with planned brick cities and a still-undeciphered script.
North India's classical golden age of mathematics, science and Sanskrit literature.
First empire to unify most of the Indian subcontinent.
Countries in this region
A civilizational subcontinent whose religions, mathematics and dynasties have shaped Eurasia for four millennia.
Explore history →Land of the Indus Valley and Mughal Punjab; independent Muslim state since 1947.
Explore history →Bengal delta civilization; independent since 1971.
Explore history →The Buddhist island kingdom of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Explore history →Birthplace of the Buddha and the last Hindu kingdom.
Explore history →Ancient crossroads of empires — Greek, Kushan, Islamic, Mughal, British and Soviet.
Explore history →