You are right, it does predate British, Portuguese, French occupation and the Muslim invasion. Let's not forget either Alexander the Great's incursion..... about 40 years after the birth of Buddha in 327BC.  Turning to my 'Times, History of the World' (in maps) I see there was even, from 300 - 550 AD (approx.) a Gupta dynasty centred around Prayaga until the city was sacked by the Huns in 511AD , and, at the same time a Shaka dynasty centred around Gujarat. 
....but, modern history, the last few hundred years, was and is a consequence of the British which left their stamp on so much of the sub continent including, cricket, hockey and (even) polo!