Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/02. South & Southeast Asian Civilizations • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
The Maurya and Gupta Empires represent two golden ages of ancient India, marked by political unification, cultural flourishing, and advancements in science, art, and philosophy. This timeline traces key events from the founding of the Maurya Empire to the modern legacy of these civilizations.
Chronological Storyline (33 Milestones)
322 BCE
Chandragupta Maurya Founds Maurya Empire
With guidance from Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya establishes the Maurya Empire, unifying most of the Indian subcontinent. #history #india
Chandragupta Maurya Founds Maurya Empire By Photo Dharma from Penang, Malaysia - Clean up of this file:, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68904033
305 BCE
Treaty with Seleucus Nicator
Chandragupta defeats Seleucus I Nicator, a former general of Alexander the Great, and secures a marriage alliance and territorial gains. #history #india
Treaty with Seleucus Nicator By Joshua Jonathan - This image has been extracted from another file, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=155528567
298 BCE
Chandragupta Abdicates and Becomes Jain Monk
Chandragupta Maurya abdicates his throne and becomes a Jain monk, renouncing worldly life. He later fasts to death at Shravanabelagola. #history #jainism
273 BCE
Ashoka Becomes Maurya Emperor
Ashoka ascends the throne after a succession struggle, initially ruling with harsh policies before his transformation. #history #india
Ashoka Becomes Maurya Emperor By Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand - Detail of: ., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61783990
261 BCE
Kalinga War and Ashoka's Conversion
The brutal Kalinga War leads to immense bloodshed, prompting Ashoka to embrace Buddhism and renounce violence. #history #buddhism
Kalinga War and Ashoka's Conversion By Jagged 85 at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36896746
260 BCE
Ashoka's Edicts Inscribed
Ashoka orders the carving of edicts on pillars and rocks throughout the empire, promoting moral and Buddhist principles. #history #buddhism
Ashoka's Edicts Inscribed By Sachin kumar tiwary - This image has been extracted from another file, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70710778
250 BCE
Mauryan Pillar Capitals and Lion Capital
The famous Mauryan pillar capitals, including the Sarnath Lion Capital, are crafted, showcasing advanced stonework. #art #history
Mauryan Pillar Capitals and Lion Capital By Chrisi1964 - Detail of this file:, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52617694
250 BCE
Construction of Sanchi Stupa
Ashoka builds the Great Stupa at Sanchi, a major Buddhist monument later expanded. #architecture #buddhism
Construction of Sanchi Stupa By Biswarup Ganguly - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27965645
232 BCE
Death of Ashoka the Great
Ashoka dies, and the Maurya Empire begins a gradual decline under his successors. #history #india
185 BCE
Fall of the Maurya Empire
The last Maurya emperor Brihadratha is assassinated by his general Pushyamitra Shunga, ending the dynasty. #history #india
Fall of the Maurya Empire By Joshua Jonathan - This image has been extracted from another file, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=155238666
320 CE
Chandragupta I Founds the Gupta Empire
Chandragupta I establishes the Gupta dynasty, marrying princess Kumaradevi and expanding territories. #history #india
Chandragupta I Founds the Gupta Empire By Uploadalt - Own work, photographed at the British Museum, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12232296
335 CE
Samudragupta's Reign and Military Campaigns
Samudragupta, the 'Napoleon of India', launches extensive conquests, epitomized by the Allahabad Pillar inscription. #history #india
Samudragupta's Reign and Military Campaigns By PHGCOM - File:SamudraguptaCoin.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=130095209
375 CE
Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) Begins Rule
Chandragupta II, known as Vikramaditya, ushers in the peak of Gupta culture, patronizing arts and literature. #history #india
Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) Begins Rule By PHGCOM - self-made, photographed at the British Museum, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2237604
380 CE
Iron Pillar of Delhi Erected
A rust-resistant iron pillar is erected during the Gupta period, demonstrating advanced metallurgy. #science #history
Iron Pillar of Delhi Erected By Photograph taken by Mark A. Wilson (Department of Geology, The College of Wooster). [1] - Original photograph, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4150061
400 CE
Ajanta Caves Painting Begins
Buddhist rock-cut caves at Ajanta are adorned with vibrant frescoes, a peak of Gupta art. #art #buddhism
Ajanta Caves Painting Begins By No machine-readable author provided. Soman assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=340540
400 CE
Kalidasa Composes Shakuntala
The poet Kalidasa writes Abhijnanashakuntalam, a masterpiece of Sanskrit literature. #literature #india
Kalidasa Composes Shakuntala By Raja Ravi Varma - https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/shakuntala-removing-a-thorn-from-her-foot-raja-ravi-varma/UgFGr-9kgW8y7g, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10258137
405 CE
Chinese Pilgrim Fa-Hien Visits India
Fa-Hien travels to India to study Buddhism, recording Gupta society in his memoirs. #history #buddhism
Chinese Pilgrim Fa-Hien Visits India By Ms Sarah Welch - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110121875
415 CE
Kumaragupta I and the Gupta Decline Begins
Kumaragupta I's reign sees initial stability but ends with threats from the Huns. #history #india
Kumaragupta I and the Gupta Decline Begins By PHGCOM - self-made, photographed at the British Museum, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2237619
455 CE
Skandagupta Repels Hunnic Invasions
Skandagupta successfully defends the Gupta Empire against Hun invasions, but wars drain resources. #history #india
Skandagupta Repels Hunnic Invasions By CNG Coins - CNG Coins Coin from CNG coins. Used with permission (CNG coin [1]). Coin [2], CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61309571
499 CE
Aryabhata Computes Pi and Solar Year
The mathematician Aryabhata writes Aryabhatiya, accurately calculating pi and the solar year. #science #mathematics
Aryabhata Computes Pi and Solar Year By Cpjha13 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49883192
500 CE
Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita
Varahamihira compiles encyclopedic works on astronomy, astrology, and natural sciences. #science #astronomy
550 CE
Gupta Empire Disintegrates
After Hun invasions and internal decay, the Gupta Empire fragments into smaller kingdoms. #history #india
Gupta Empire Disintegrates By Map created from DEMIS Mapserver, which are public domain. Koba-chan. - This image has been extracted from another file, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=115192511
606 CE
Harsha Vardhana Ascends Throne
Harsha of Kannauj builds a short-lived but powerful empire, reviving some Gupta traditions. #history #india
Harsha Vardhana Ascends Throne By CNG Coins - CNG Coins Coin from CNG coins. Used with permission (CNG coin [1]). Coin [2], CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61069595
630 CE
Xuanzang Visits India
Chinese monk Xuanzang travels to India, studying at Nalanda and documenting Harsha's reign. #history #buddhism
Xuanzang Visits India By Unknown author - https://colbase.nich.go.jp/collection_items/tnm/A-10600?locale=en, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=247641
647 CE
Death of Harsha
Harsha dies without an heir, leading to the collapse of his empire. #history #india
1837 CE
James Prinsep Deciphers Brahmi Script
British scholar James Prinsep successfully deciphers the Brahmi script, unlocking Ashokan edicts. #history #archaeology
James Prinsep Deciphers Brahmi Script By William Wyon - one or more third parties have made copyright claims against Wikimedia Commons in relation to the work from which this is sourced or a purely mechanical reproduction thereof. This may be due to recognition of the "sweat of the brow" doctrine, allowing works to be eligible for protection through skill and labour, and not purely by originality as is the case in the United States (where this website is hosted). These claims may or may not be valid in all jurisdictions. As such, use of this image in the jurisdiction of the claimant or other countries may be regarded as copyright infringement. Please see Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8025102
1905 CE
Excavations at Pataliputra by ASI
The Archaeological Survey of India begins major excavations at Pataliputra, revealing Mauryan remains. #archaeology #history
Excavations at Pataliputra by ASI By Pyule - Template:D. Schlingloff, Die altindische Stadt, 1969, p. 140 Abb. 29, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15600879
Jan 26, 1950 CE
Ashoka Lion Capital Adopted as National Emblem
India adopts the Sarnath Lion Capital as its national emblem, symbolizing heritage. #history #india
Ashoka Lion Capital Adopted as National Emblem By Government of India - Extracted from PDF version of 'ACT NO. 50 OF 2005' (direct PDF URL THE STATE EMBLEM OF INDIA (PROHIBITION OF IMPROPER USE) ACT, 2005 ACT NO. 50 OF 2005 (2005-12-20). Archived from the original on 2022-07-12.), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=665228
1961 CE
Nalanda Declared a University Under Modern Law
The Nalanda site is recognized as a university under the Nalanda University Act, later revived. #education #history
Nalanda Declared a University Under Modern Law By Odantapuribs - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=121816476
1979 CE
Sanchi Stupa Designated UNESCO World Heritage
Sanchi's Buddhist monuments are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage, recognizing their global importance. #culture #unesco
1983 CE
Ajanta Caves Become UNESCO World Heritage
The Ajanta Caves are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage, famed for their ancient paintings and sculptures. #art #unesco
1992 CE
Studies Reveal Iron Pillar's Corrosion Resistance
Scientific studies show the Iron Pillar of Delhi's rust-resistant composition, highlighting Gupta metallurgy. #science #history
2015 CE
Revival of Nalanda University as International Institution
Nalanda University is revived as a modern international university near the ancient site, continuing its legacy. #education #india
Revival of Nalanda University as International Institution By Nalanda University Publicity Committee - It is in the public domain on many newspapers, social media handles, press publications and articles. It was distributed by the university for free public use during the launching of the campus in June 2024., CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=154064140
