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322 BCE
Mauryan Empire Starts
Empire founded by Chandragupta Maurya who overthre the Nanda Dynasty. Originated from the kingdom of Magadha in the eastern side of Indian subcontinent -
Period: 322 BCE to 316 BCE
Western Expansion
After overthrowing the Nanda Dynasty and expanding their power westward across central and western India, they were able to fully occupy Northwestern India by defeating and conquering the satraps or governors that were left by Alexander. Chandragupta defeated the invasion led by Seleucus I, a general from Alexander's army, which gained them additional territory west of the Indus River -
317 BCE
Chandragupta Defeating the Macedonians
Chandragupta (with the help of Chanakya who helped him start his empire and was now his adviser) defeated the Macedonians and Greek generals Eudemus and Peithon, and consolidated the region under the control of his new seat of Power in Magadha -
Period: 317 BCE to 317 BCE
Reconquest of the Northwest
Chandragupta occupied Northwestern India, in territories that were ruled by the Greeks, where they fought the satraps that were left by Alexander, among whom may have been Eudemus, ruler in the western Punjab until his departure in 317 BCE. -
Period: 262 BCE to 261 BCE
Ashoka's Victory... And Loss
Ashoka's succeeded in overwhelming Kalinga forces of royal solider and civilian units, about 100,00 soldiers and civilians were killed during warfare, including 10,00 of Ashoka's own men. Hundreds of thousands of people were adversely affected by the destruction and fallout of the war. Ashoka embraced the teachings of Buddhism and banned hunting and violent sport activity and ending indentured and force labor. They expanded friendly relations with states across Asia and Europe. 40 years of peace -
185 BCE
Decline in Land
The Empire expanded into India's central and southern regions but left out a small part of unexplored tribal and forested regions until it was conquered by Ashoka. About 50 years after Ashoka's rule ended, the empire declined and dissolved in 185 BCE -
185 BCE
Shunga Coup
The assassination of Brihadratha and the rise of the Shunga empire led to a wave of religious persecution for Buddhists, and a resurgence of Hinduism. According to Sir John Marshall, Pushyamitra may have been the main author of the persecutions, although later Shunga Kings seem to have been more supportive of Buddhism. Historians have argued that archaeological evidence in favor of the allegations of persecution of Buddhists are lacking, and that the atrocities have been exaggerated -
180 BCE
Indo-Greek Kingdom Establishment
The fall of the Maurya left Khyber Pass ( A mountain pass that connects Afghanistan and Pakistan) unguarded, which allowed a wave of foreign invasion. The Greco-Bactrian King, Demetrius, Capitalized on the break-up and conquered southern Afghanistan and parts of Northwestern India, for about a century. -
Period: 240 to 550
Gupta Empire Starts
The empire was founded by Sri Gupta. The empire covered much of the Indian subcontinent. The peace and prosperity created was created under the leadership of the Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavours. This period led to the Golden Age of India, and was marked by extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy that crystallized the elements of Hindu culture. -
Period: 320 to 335
Chandragupta I
Chandragupta was married to Kumaradevi, a Lichchhavi princess-the main power in Magadha. with a dowry of the kingdom of Magadha and an alliance with the Licchavis of Nepal, Chandragupta set about expanding his power, conquering much of Magadha. He stretched the realm from the Ganges River to Prayaga by 321 -
Period: 335 to 380
Samudragupta (Son of Chandragupta)
Samudragupta took the kingdoms Ahichchhatra and Padmavati in his early reign. He attacked the Malwas, the Yaudheyas, the Arjunayanas, the Maduras and the Abhrias, which ere tribes in the area. By his death in 380, he had incorperated over twenty kingdoms into his realm and his rule extended from the Himalayas to the river Narmada and from Brahmapetra to the Yamuna . He gave himself the title "King of Kings" and "World Monarch" -
Period: 375 to 415
Chandragupta II "Vikramaditya"
Samudragupta nominated prince Chandragupta II, born of queen Dattadevi, as his successor. Chandragupta II, married a Kadamba princess of Kuntala and of Naga lineage, Kuberanaga. His daughter Prabhavatigupta, from the Naga queen was married to the ruler of Deccan. Chandragupta II expanded his realm westward, defeating Saka Western Kshatrapas of Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra in campaign until 409. This extended his control from coast-to-coast, establishing a second capital at Ujjain. -
Period: 467 to 550
Decline in Empire (Part 2)
From the inscriptions that the Guptas, although their power was diminished, continued to resist the Huns. The Hun invader Toramana was defeated by Bhanugupta in 510. The Huns were defeated and driven out of India in 528 by a coalition consisting of Gupta emperor Narasimhagupta and the King Yashodharman from Malwa. The succession of the 6th-century Guptas is not entirely clear, but the tail end recognized ruler of the dynasty's main line reigned from 540 to 550. -
Period: 467 to 550
Decline in Empire (Part 1)
After Skandragupta's death the empire was clearly in decline. He was followed by Puruguta (467-473), Kumaragupta II (473-476), Budhagupta (476-495), Narasimhagupta (495-?), Kumaragupta III (530-540), Vishnugupta (540-550), Vainyagupta and Bhanugupta. In the 480's the Hephthalities broke through the Gupta defenses in the northwest and much of the empire in the northwest was overrun by the Hun by 500. The empire disintegrated under the attacks of Toramana and his successor Mihirakula.