Muhammad
Founder of Islam (c. 570–632)
About Muhammad
Associated Events
Rise of Islam
The Prophet Muhammad received revelations that became the Quran, founding Islam — a monotheistic faith that rapidly unified the Arabian Peninsula and expanded into one of history's largest empires within a century.
Delhi Sultanate
Five successive Islamic dynasties ruled northern India from Delhi for 320 years, building monuments like the Qutb Minar, introducing Persian court culture, and — crucially — repelling multiple Mongol invasions that devastated Central Asia and the Middle East.
Direct Action Day
On August 16, 1946, the Muslim League called for "Direct Action" to demand Pakistan. In Calcutta, the resulting riots killed approximately 4,000–5,000 people in four days of Hindu-Muslim violence. The Great Calcutta Killings spread retaliatory violence to Bihar and Noakhali.
Indian Independence
India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, simultaneously partitioned into India and Pakistan (the latter comprising West Pakistan and East Bengal, later Bangladesh).
Partition of India
The division of British India into India and Pakistan (West Pakistan and East Bengal) along broadly religious lines, causing one of history's largest mass migrations (10-20 million displaced) and an estimated 1-2 million deaths in communal violence.
Non-Cooperation Movement
Gandhi's first nationwide mass resistance campaign called on Indians to boycott British institutions, goods, titles, and courts. Millions participated — surrendering British honors, withdrawing from government schools, and boycotting foreign cloth — paralyzing colonial administration.