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100
50 BC
Trade flourishes between India and the Roman Empire. Romans eagerly buy Indian pearls, ivory, silk, spices, cloth and precious stones. -
320
320-550 AD
After centuries of being split into small kingdoms and republics, India is ruled by the Gupta Empire. Under the rule of the Gupta kings, Hinduism becomes the major religion of the empire. Literature, art, architecture and science flourish during this "classical age" of peace and prosperity. -
1600s
Eager to gain access to India's spices, rice, silk, tea and jewels, Holland, Great Britain and France establish key trading posts in India. -
1638
Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan begins construction of the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz. -
1858
The British overthrow the Moguls and take control of India. -
1915
After studying law in Britain and fighting for Indian rights in South Africa, Mohandas Gandhi launches a campaign of nonviolent resistance against British rule in India. Gandhi is called Mahatma, meaning "Great Soul." -
1920-22
Nationalist figurehead Mahatma Gandhi launches anti-British civil disobedience campaign. -
1947
India gains independence from the British and is divided into two countries, India and Muslim-controlled Pakistan. -
1948
Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated. -
1966
Indira Gandhi (not related to Mahatma) becomes Prime Minister and one of the first women elected to lead a nation -
1974
India explodes first nuclear device in underground test. -
1984
Indira Gandhi assassinated by Sikh bodyguards, following which her son, Rajiv, takes over. -
1998
India tests its first nuclear weapon, one of only seven nations to have done so -
May 2000
India's population exceeds 1 billion. -
September 2001
US lifts sanctions which it imposed against India and Pakistan after they staged nuclear tests in 1998. The move is seen as a reward for their support for the US-led anti-terror campaign. -
March 2007
Pratibha Patil becomes the first female President of India. -
October 2008
Following approval by the US Congress, President George W Bush signs into law a nuclear deal with India, which ends a three-decade ban on US nuclear trade with Delhi.