Chronological Timeline of Ancient Mesopotamia and India

By Sbona
  • 3100 BCE

    Sumerians Develop Cuneiform

    Sumerians Develop Cuneiform
    The world's first known writing system created in Mesopotamia.
  • 2900 BCE

    The First Cities Emerge in Mesopotamia

    The First Cities Emerge in Mesopotamia
    Cites like Uruk and Ur develop as centers of civilization.
  • 2500 BCE

    Indus Valley Civilization Thrives

    Indus Valley Civilization Thrives
    Advanced cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa flourish with urban planning and trade.
  • 2334 BCE

    Akkadian Empire Rises

    Akkadian Empire Rises
    Sargon of Akkad founds one of the world's first empires.
  • 2100 BCE

    Epic of Gilgamesh

    Epic of Gilgamesh
    The oldest known work of literature written in Sumer.
  • 2000 BCE

    Abraham's Journey

    Abraham's Journey
    Traditionally, Abraham leaves Ur and enters into a covenant with God, central to Judaism.
  • 1900 BCE

    Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization

    Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization
    Possible Environmental changes or migrations lead to the civilization’s decline.
  • 1792 BCE

    Hammurabi’s Code

    Hammurabi’s Code
    King Hammurabi of Babylon establishes one of the first written law codes.
  • 1500 BCE

    Arrival of Indo-Aryans in India

    Arrival of Indo-Aryans in India
    Indo-Aryans migrate into the Indian subcontinent, introducing the Vedic culture.
  • 1250 BCE

    Exodus from Egypt

    Exodus from Egypt
    Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt and receives the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.
  • 1200 BCE

    Rigveda Composed

    Rigveda Composed
    The earliest and most important Veda, foundational to Hinduism, is composed.
  • 1200 BCE

    Iron Age Begins in Mesopotamia

    Iron Age Begins in Mesopotamia
    Advances in technology revolutionize tools and weapons.
  • 1000 BCE

    Kingdom of Israel Established

    Kingdom of Israel Established
    King David unites the Israelites, with Jerusalem as the capital.
  • 960 BCE

    Solomon's Temple Built

    Solomon's Temple Built
    The First Temple, central to Jewish worship, is constructed in Jerusalem.
  • 800 BCE

    Development of the Upanishads

    Development of the Upanishads
    Philosophical texts explain concepts such as Brahman and Atman, Hinduism keeps developing further.
  • 600 BCE

    Birth of Buddhism

    Birth of Buddhism
    Religious reform movements develop along with the evolving Hindu beliefs.
  • 586 BCE

    Babylonian Exile

    Babylonian Exile
    The Babylonians destroy the First Temple and exile the Jewish elite to Babylon.
  • 539 BCE

    Fall of Babylon and Return from Exile

    Fall of Babylon and Return from Exile
    Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, allows Jews to return to Jerusalem, and rebuild the temple
  • 539 BCE

    Persians End Mesopotamian Rule

    Persians End Mesopotamian Rule
    The fall of Babylon marks the end of independent Mesopotamian rule.
  • 500 BCE

    Development of Zoroastrianism and Philosophical Systems

    Development of Zoroastrianism and Philosophical Systems
    Zoroastrianism influences Mesopotamian and Jewish thought, while Vedic traditions in India continue to evolve.