Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the modern state of Maharashtra was created, separating from Gujarat while gaining parts
of Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh.
The French relinquished Pondicherry in 1954 - 140 years after claiming it from the
British. It's a Union Territory (controlled by the government in Delhi), though a largely
self-governing one. Lakshadweep was granted Union Territory status in 1956, as were the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Throughout most of this carve-up, the tiny enclave of Goa was still under the rule of the
Portuguese. Although a rumbling Independence movement had existed in Goa since the
early 20th century, the Indian government was reluctant to intervene and take Goa by
force, hoping the Portuguese would leave of their own volition. The Portuguese refused,
so in December 1961 Indian troops crossed the border and liberated the state with surpris-
ingly little resistance. It became a Union Territory of India, but after splitting from Daman
and Diu (Gujarat) in 1987, it was officially recognised as the 25th state of the Indian
Union.
TIMELINE
2600-1700 BC
The heyday of the Indus Valley civilisation, which spans parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the Sindh
province in present-day Pakistan, and includes cities such as Harappa and Moenjodaro.
1500 BC
The Indo-Aryan civilisation takes root in the fertile plains of the Indo-Gangetic basin. Settlers speak
an early form of Sanskrit, from which several Indian vernaculars, including Hindi, later evolve.
1500-1200 BC
The
Rig-Veda,
the first and longest of Hinduism's canonical texts, the Vedas, is written; three more
books follow. Earliest forms of priestly Brahmanic Hinduism emerge.
1000 BC
Indraprastha, Delhi's first incarnation, comes into being. Archaeological excavations at the site,
where the Purana Qila now stands, continue even today, as more facts about this ancient capital
keep emerging.
599-528 BC
