The land and its early history
Inroads of armies and ideas (500 B.C.E.-700 C.E.)
The coming of Islam (700-1526)
The Mughal Period (1526-1748)
Trading company wars (1748-1858)
The Raj Era (1858-1909)
The road to independence (1909-1947)
The challenges of independence (1947-1958)
Military rule (1958-1971)
Between East and West (1971-1988)
Civilian rule restored (1988-1999)
A return to the world stage (1999-2008).