Classical Antiquity
Maurya / Gupta Empire
322 BC – 185 AD · peak 250 BC
The Mauryan Empire (322–184 BC) was the first power to unify most of the Indian subcontinent, reaching its zenith under Ashoka the Great. From the capital at Pataliputra, Ashoka promoted Buddhism and established administrative stability through his stone edicts. The empire declined following Ashoka’s death due to weak successors and was eventually supplanted by the Shunga dynasty.
Capital: Pataliputra
Key figures
Battles in this period
Trade routes in use
- Amber Road (1500 BC – 500 AD)
- Incense Route (1000 BC – 400 AD)
- Persian Royal Road (500 BC – 300 BC)
- Phoenician Mediterranean Routes (1100 BC – 300 BC)
- Alexandria–Rome Grain Route (30 BC – 400 AD)
- Silk Road (130 BC – 1450 AD)