There were activities of proto-humans (Homo erectus) in the Indian subcontinent 20 lakh years (2 million years) ago, and of Homo sapiens since 70,000 BC. They were gathers/hunters.
Ancient Timeline
7000 BCE to 3300 BCE
Mehrgarh Culture. This dates back to the Neolithic period. Oldest site to introduce farming and herding. Situated in Baluchistan.
3300 BCE to 2600 BCE
The Early Harappan Phase, which lasted for about 700 years, starting with the Ravi Phase.
Ravi Phase objects, motifs and images. The pre-Indus Ravi or Hakra Phase dates to approximately 3300-2600 BCE.
2600 BCE – 1700 BCE
Mature Harappan Phase, wherein large cities and urban areas emerged and the civilization expanded.
1700 BCE – 500 BCE
The period of the compilation of Rig Veda. Caste system becomes rigid and families become patriarchal.
600 BCE – 200 BCE
Panini standardized grammer and the morphology of Sanskrit. Converted it into classical Sanskrit. The earliest written records in Brahmi text.
200 BCE – 78 CE
Tholkappiyam standardized grammar and morphology of Tamil184 BC The assassination of Emperor Brihadrata ended the Mauryan Empire and the establishment of the Sunga dynasty180 BC Establishment of the Indo-Greek kingdom80...