Children’s Section
4,00,000 BCE

From Pre-history
to Proto-history

The dawn of civilization: first stone tools, early rock art in Bihar, farming in Chirand; discovery of copper and birth of Indus cities. The Aryans arrive. Vedic hymns are composed.
    600 BCE

    Rise of the Mahajanapadas

    Of the 16 Mahajanapadas, Magadha emerges supreme. Rajagriha becomes capital. First coins are minted. Mahavira is born. Buddha attains enlightenment. Ajatashatru’s fort Pataligrama marks the future city of Pataliputra.
      362 BCE

      Nandas: War and Peace

      The Nandas conquer Magadha and build a mighty army, attempting the earliest empire. Agriculture and irrigation advance. Greek conqueror Alexander reaches Punjab. His exhausted army refuses to advance further.
        323 BCE

        Mauryans: The First Empire

        Chandragupta Maurya overthrows the Nandas, aided by astute counsel Chanakya, writer of Arthashastra. Ashoka establishes largest empire of India. Kalinga War violence turns Asoka to Buddhism. He inscribes dhamma edicts.
          185 BCE

          Shunga: New Trends in
          visual arts and architecture

          The Shungas seize Magadha. Buddhism spreads far and wide. Stories are sculpted on railings of Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya. Buddhist art depicts Buddha through symbols as footprints and Empty Throne.
            50CE

            Kushana: Cross-cultural encounters

            Kushana Empire stretches from Afghanisthan to Gangetic plain. Gandhara and Mathura become dominant art centres; Buddha is depicted in human form. Trade through Silk Route expands culture. Buddhism travels east.
              320 CE

              Gupta: Age of creativity
              and prosperity

              Chandragupta strengthens his kingdom with a Licchavi alliance. Gupta political influence spreads. Fa Hien visits India. Art, culture and learning reach unsurpassed heights with Nalanda and works of Aryabhatta and Kalidasa.
                606 CE

                Vardhana: A transitory phase

                Gauda King Sasanka rules over Magadha. After his death, King Harshavardhana gains control. He is a great patron of arts. Hieun Tsang visits Nalanda and Bodh Gaya, writing important travel accounts.
                  755 CE

                  Pala: Zenith of
                  intellectual exchange

                  Pala dynasty rule Bihar and Bengal. Vikramshila and Odantapuri universities are founded. Kurkihar becomes centre for metal art. Pala stone sculpting develops. Other Tantric forms of Buddhism develop, as Vajrayana.
                    1206 CE

                    The Sultanates: Delhi becomes the new centre of power

                    The Delhi Sultanate marks the beginning of Muslim rule in India; successive dynasties rule Bihar from Delhi and Bengal. Bhakti and Sufi movements gain momentum. In 1526, Babur establishes Mughal Empire.
                      1540CE

                      Sher Shah Suri:
                      The Afgan interlude

                      Afghan Sher Shah Suri defeats Mughal Emperor Humayun and becomes ruler of India. His achievements include consolidation of the major route Sadak-e-Azam, today Grand Trunk Road. He issues the silver Rupiya.
                        1556 CE

                        Mughal: Consolidation
                        of Mughal Rule

                        Akbar becomes Emperor of India. Abu’l Fazl’s Ain-i-Akbari records Bihar as an important province under Mughal rule. British set up textile factory in Patna. Guru Gobind Singh is born in Patna.
                          1717 CE

                          Nawabs of Bengal and British accession to power

                          Winning the Battles of Plassey and Buxar, in1757 and 1764, the British East India Company take control of Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. Patna becomes an international trading centre. Golghar granary is built.
                            1858 CE

                            British Raj:
                            Archaeological exploration

                            British Crown takes over reign. Prinsep deciphers ancient scripts. Cunningham begins excavations at Nalanda and Bodh Gaya. Mauryan pillared hall is discovered at Kumrahar,1912. Bihar Province is created in 1936.
                              1947 CE

                              Independent India

                              Dr. Rajendra Prasad of Bihar is the first President of the Republic of India in 1950.

                                Bihar Museum

                                Bihar Museum

                                Entrance

                                 

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                                The
                                disappearing
                                sparrow

                                 

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                                A confluence of
                                royalty, culture
                                and learning

                                 

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                                A confluence of
                                royalty, culture
                                and learning

                                 

                                BIHAR,MUSEUM,WELCOMES,YOU

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                                Exhibitions

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                                The disappearing sparrow

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                                The magnificent
                                Didarganj Yakshi

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                                Contact

                                +91 0612 2235732

                                info@biharmuseum.org

                                Location

                                Nehru Path,
                                Patna, Bihar 800001, India

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                                Children’s Section