Appendix B: Timeline of Himachal Pradesh's Cultural History
Appendix B: Timeline of Himachal Pradesh's Cultural History Period Event/Development Prehistoric Times (Before 1000 BCE) Evidence of early human settlement found in foothills; cave dwellings and stone tools discovered. 6th Century BCE Region mentioned in ancient Hindu texts; influence of Vedic culture and early tribal communities. 3rd Century BCE Region comes under Mauryan rule; introduction of Buddhism and spread of Ashokan edicts. 4th–6th Century CE Gupta period saw emergence of temple art and growth of Sanskrit learning in the region. 7th–10th Century CE Rise of local hill kingdoms like Chamba and Bushahr; construction of stone and wood temples. 11th–15th Century CE Flourishing of Pahari miniature painting, temple building, and folk traditions; early Tibetan Buddhist influence in Lahaul-Spiti. 16th–18th Century CE Period of regional warfare among hill states; formation of princely states; Mughal contact begins. 19th Century Br...