The written history of India begins with the invasion of the Indo-European or Aryan tribes in about 1500-600 BC. This period is also called the Vedic age for the earliest literature forming the base of Hinduism flourished during the time Hinduism saw a new liberal temper during the age of Buddha (600-321 BC). 

India came into contact with the outer world with invasion of Alexander the Great in 326 BC. Emperor Asoka was the greatest among the Mauryans. Prior to the rule of East India Company, India, particularly the north was under the Mughal Empire. The prosperity of foreign trade in India attracted European interest as early as 1498, when Vasco Da Gama landed on the Malabar coast. During the ensuing hundred years Portuguese, Dutch, English, French and Danish companies all set up coastal trading centers. 

The English emerged powerful by establishing The East India Company in 1599. Gradually India came under the British rule. The frustrations of Indians saw its articulation through Mahatma Gandhi's Non Violent struggle. The subcontinent was partitioned and India became independent on 15^th August 1947. On January 26^th,1950, India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic.