How did India's territory change over time?

India’s territorial history begins with the early civilizations of the Indus Valley, which spread across parts of northern India. The Maurya Empire later became the first to unite most of the subcontinent. After its collapse, the Gupta Empire reunified northern India before breaking apart again. With the spread of Islam, the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire controlled large parts of India, repeatedly bringing much of the region under one rule.

In the modern era, the East India Company gradually expanded its control from trade to full political dominance. This eventually led to direct British rule and the formation of the British Raj, the largest unified version of India under one authority, including present-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

In 1947, independence led to the partition of the region into India and Pakistan, triggering massive migration and violence. Soon after, the two countries fought over Kashmir, a disputed region that remains divided to this day.

In 1971, East Pakistan broke away with India’s support to form Bangladesh, shaping the borders of modern India. Since then, India’s territory has remained mostly stable, although tensions over Kashmir co