State Studies · Gujarat
History of Gujarat
History of Indian state of Gujarat
Overview
The history of Gujarat began with Stone Age settlements followed by Chalcolithic and Bronze Age settlements like Indus Valley Civilisation. Gujarat's coastal cities, chiefly Bharuch, served as ports and trading centers in the Nanda, Maurya, Satavahana and Gupta empires as well as during the Western Kshatrapas period. After the fall of the Gupta empire in the 6th century, Gujarat flourished as an independent Hindu-Buddhist state. The Maitraka dynasty, descended from a general of the Gupta empire, ruled the Kingdom of Valabhi from the 6th to the 8th centuries, although they were ruled briefly by Harsha during the 7th century. The Arab rulers of Sindh sacked Vallabhi in 770, bringing the Kingdom of Valabhi to an end. In 775, the first Parsi (Zoroastrian) refugees arrived in Gujarat from Greater Iran.
Source: Wikipedia — History of Gujarat (CC BY-SA)
Key concepts
How History of Gujarat connects to the ideas, people and events around it.
The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also known as the Indus Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilisation in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in its mature form from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE.
Gujarat is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about 2,340 km (1,450 mi) is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula.
Bharuch is a city located at the mouth of the Narmada River in Gujarat in the western part of India. The city is the administrative headquarters of Bharuch District.
The Satavahanas, also referred to as the Andhras in the Puranas, were an ancient Indian dynasty.
The Gupta Empire was an Indian empire during the classical period of the Indian subcontinent which existed from the mid 3rd century to mid 6th century CE. At its peak, the dynasty ruled over an empire that spanned much of the northern Indian subcontinent.
The Western Satraps, or Western Kshatrapas were Indo-Scythian (Saka) rulers of the western and central parts of India, between 35 and 415 CE.
The Maitraka dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Valabhi in western India from approximately 475 to 776 from their capital at Vallabhi. With the sole exception of Dharapaṭṭa, who is associated with sun-worship, they were followers of Shaivism.
Harshavardhana was the emperor of Kannauj from April 606 until his death in 647. He was the king of Thanesar who had defeated the Alchon Huns, and the younger brother of Rajyavardhana, son of Prabhakaravardhana and last king of Thanesar.
Revise History of Gujarat
Flashcards and a quick quiz, built from this map.
Questions about History of Gujarat
What is History of Gujarat?
The history of Gujarat began with Stone Age settlements followed by Chalcolithic and Bronze Age settlements like Indus Valley Civilisation. Gujarat's coastal cities, chiefly Bharuch, served as ports and trading centers in the Nanda, Maurya, Satavahana and Gupta empires as well as during the Western Kshatrapas period.
What are the key concepts related to History of Gujarat?
The main concepts connected to History of Gujarat include Indus Valley Civilisation, Gujarat, Bharuch, Satavahana dynasty, Gupta Empire, Western Satraps, Maitraka dynasty, Harsha. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.
Which exams cover History of Gujarat?
History of Gujarat is part of State Studies, which appears in the syllabus of GPSC, GSSSB.