Abstract. In this contribution the dynamics of the optically induced interband polarization in (In,Ga)As/(Ga,Al)As quantum dots is reviewed, following the advances in the literature of the last ten years. Radiative recombination, excitonphonon interaction and Coulomb interaction of excitons with other carriers are discussed as mechanisms responsible of the excitonic dephasing in relation to their influence in the decay of the excitonic population. Following the recent progress in this area, the coherent non-linear light-matter interaction under strong light fields that results in optical Rabi oscillations of the excitonic population in quantum dots is also reviewed.