The history of India is a rich and diverse tapestry that spans over 5,000 years, with various empires, dynasties, and civilizations rising and falling throughout the centuries. The Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 2500 BCE, is considered one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world. The Vedic period, which began around 1500 BCE, saw the rise of Hinduism and the composition of the Vedas, ancient Hindu scriptures. The Mauryan Empire, established by Chandragupta Maurya in the 4th century BCE, marked the beginning of a golden age of Indian history, during which Buddhism and Ashoka’s imperial administration flourished. The Mughal Empire, which ruled from the 16th to the 19th century CE, was a golden age of art, literature, and architecture, while the British colonial era saw the country’s transformation into a modern nation-state. Post-independence India has been shaped by its democratic institutions, economic growth, and social and cultural diversity.