Ancient Kingdoms
From the sixteen great states to the Gupta age: dynasties, inscriptions, the first surviving temples and great centres of learning.
From kingdoms to empires
[Archaeological evidence]
- Mahajanapadas — sixteen great states, c. 6th c. BCE
- Maurya empire — c. 322–185 BCE (Chandragupta, Ashoka)
- Shunga and Kanva dynasties — 2nd–1st c. BCE
- Satavahanas in the Deccan — c. 1st c. BCE – 3rd c. CE
- Gupta empire — c. 320–550 CE
The first temples in stone
[Archaeological evidence]
Some of the earliest surviving structural Hindu temples date from the Gupta period, such as the Dashavatara temple at Deogarh (c. 500 CE) and the temples at Udayagiri, with the great Varaha relief (c. 401 CE).
The journey continues for members
- Learning centres