Ancient India (Pre-historic to AD 700)
Medieval India (AD 700 – AD 1857)
Historical Eras: List of Major Time Periods in History
Historians rely on written records and archaeological evidence to understand more about
human history. They use these resources to divide human existence into five main historical
eras: Prehistory, Classical, Middle Ages, Early Modern, and Modern eras. Keep reading
to learn the main civilizations, technological achievements, important historical figures, and
significant events during these major time periods in history.
Prehistory (to 600 B.C.)
The Prehistoric era in human history reflects the period between the appearance of humans on
the planet (roughly 2.5 million years ago) and 600 B.C. (Before Christ) or 1200 B.C.,
depending on the region. It indicates the period on Earth in which there was human activity,
but little to no records of human history. This era is also known as the Foundational era, as
many foundations of human civilization occurred during this span of time.
Major Periods of the Prehistoric Era
The Prehistoric era can be divided into three shorter eras based on the advancements that
occurred in those time periods. They include:
The Stone Age (2.5 million B.C. to 3000 B.C.) - documents the human migration from Africa
and first use of tools by Neanderthals, Denisovans and early humans
The Bronze Age (3000 B.C. to 1300 B.C.) - humans settle in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley
and ancient Egypt; invention of the wheel and metalworking
The Iron Age (1300 B.C. to 600 B.C.) - formation of planned cities, introduction of
ironworks, steel, and writing systems
Classical Era (600 B.C.-A.D. 476)
The Classical era, also known as Classical antiquity, began roughly around 600 B.C. in most
of the world. It marked the beginning of a philosophical period in world history as well as the
first recorded sources of human history. Politically, the Classical era saw the rise – and fall –
of most world empires.
Classical Civilizations and Empires
The Classical era was mainly centered around the civilizations on the Mediterranean Sea and
their contributions to world culture. These empires included:
Ancient Greece (600 B.C. to A.D. 600) - foundation of democracy, philosophy, mathematics,
drama, and poetry
Ancient Rome (753 B.C. to A.D. 476) - political power that developed the legal system,
irrigation, architecture, city roads, and Christianity
Persian Empire (550 B.C. to 330 B.C.) - Middle Eastern empire that
practiced Zoroastrianism before Islam and fell to Alexander the Great in 330 B.C.
Byzantine Empire (A.D. 285 to A.D. 1453) - Mediterranean culture that incorporated
practices and beliefs from ancient Greece and Rome; the only major power not to fall until
after the Renaissance
The Middle Ages (A.D. 476 -A.D. 1450 )
The Middle Ages is also known as the Medieval or Post-Classical era. Historians refer to
the early part of this period as the Dark Ages due to the loss of recorded history after the fall
of the Roman Empire in A.D. 476.
Significant Periods of the Middle Ages
The Middle Ages was an unstable period that lasted for nearly a millennium. Historians often
group the era into three distinct periods: the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages and
the Late Middle Ages.
Early Middle Ages (A.D. 476 to A.D. 1000) - also known as Late Antiquity; this period
shows most powers rebuilding after the collapse of the Roman Empire and the beginning of
Islam in the Middle East
High Middle Ages (A.D. 1000 to A.D. 1250) - 250-year period that saw the height of the
Catholic church’s power in the Crusades
Late Middle Ages (A.D. 1250 to A.D. 1450) - a period that saw the Black Plague, the
beginning of European exploration and the invention of the printing press
Early Modern Era (A.D. 1450-A.D. 1750)
The Early Modern Era, which immediately followed the Middle Ages, saw a resurgence of
the values and philosophies from the Classical era. When you think of Leonardo da Vinci,
William Shakespeare, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Christopher Columbus, you’re thinking of
the Early Modern Era.
Movements of the Early Modern Era
The major movements in politics, religion, and geography helped to guide human civilization
into the Modern era. These movements include:
Renaissance Humanism (A.D. 1400 to A.D. 1500 ) - break from medieval scholasticism that
incorporated Classical thought into Early Modern ideas
Protestant Reformation (A.D. 1517 to A.D. 1648) - religious movement in which
Lutheranism (started by Martin Luther) broke with the Catholic church and redefined
Christianity
The European Renaissance (A.D. 1450 to A.D. 1600) - known as a cultural “rebirth” in art,
music, literature, society, and philosophy
The Enlightenment (A.D. 1650 to A.D. 1800) - an intellectual movement that is also called
the Age of Reason; saw the re-examination of politics, economics and science before giving
way to Romanticism in the 19th century
The European Renaissance, or “rebirth,” occurred during this period, as well as the discovery
and colonization of the Americas and the Age of Enlightenment.
Modern Era (A.D. 1750-Present)
The influences of both the Renaissance and the Enlightenment led to a technological boom in
the Modern era, also known as the Late Modern era. The world of politics was rocked by
wars, revolution and the end of the monarchy in many countries. The Modern era is truly a
cumulation of millions of years of human development.
Major Periods of the Modern Era
Because our history of the last three centuries is so well documented, it’s possible to examine
each period of the Modern era on its own. These eras include:
First Industrial Revolution (A.D. 1760 to A.D. 1840) - beginning of the modern era that
saw several technological innovations, including the invention of the cotton gin, the increase
of city factories and mills and the completion of the Erie Canal
Revolutionary Period (A.D. 1764 to A.D. 1848) - period of revolutions around the world,
including the American Revolution, French Revolution, Spanish-American Wars for
Independence, Italian Revolutions, Greek War of Independence, and the Spring of Nations
Age of Imperialism (A.D. 1800 to A.D. 1914) - century of time in which France, Britain,
Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States colonized in other nations around the world
Victorian Era (A.D. 1837 to A.D. 1901) - reign of Queen Victoria I that saw increased
urbanization, the American Civil War and the end of African slavery
Second Industrial Revolution (A.D. 1869 to A.D. 1914 ) - often referred to as
the Technological Revolution; period in which the light bulb, the telephone, the airplane, and
the Model T automobile were invented
World War I (A.D. 1914 to A.D. 1918) - worldwide conflict centered in Europe; also known
as the Great War
Great Depression (A.D. 1929 to A.D. 1939) - extended period of worldwide economic
hardship that started with the stock market crash in 1929
World War II (A.D. 1939 to A.D. 1945) - wartime period that began with Germany’s
invasion of Poland and ends with the surrender of Japan, the last standing Axis power
Contemporary Period (A.D. 1945 to current) - also known as the Information Age; the
period in which technological advances define social, economic and political life
SOUTH INDIAN HISTORY
ANCIENT HISTORY (4th century BCE – 15th century CE)
Pandya Dynasty 4th century BCE–1345
Chola Dynasty 3rd century BCE–1279 CE
Chera Dynasty 3rd century BCE-12th century CE
Satavahana Dynasty Late 2nd century BCE–Early 3rd century CE
Pallava dynasty 275 CE–897 CE
Kadambas of Banavasi 345–525 CE
Western Ganga Dynasty 350–550 CE
Chalukyan dynasty 543–757 CE
Rashtrakuta Empire 735 CE-982 CE
Western Chalukya Empire 973–1195 CE
Hoysala Dynasty 1187–1343 CE
Kakatiya dynasty 1163–1323 CE
Musunuri Nayaks 1325–1368 CE
Reddy Dynasty 1325–1448 CE
MEDIEVAL HISTORY (14th century – 19th century CE)
Rise of Islam 14th century CE
Vijayanagara empire 1336–1646 CE
Nayak Kingdoms 15th – 18th century CE
Maratha Empire 1674 to 1818 CE
MODERN HISTORY (from the middle of 18th century CE till present)
Colonial period
British rule
Post Independence period
