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Extent of the Gupta Empire, 375 CE
This map shows the extent of the Gupta Empire at the end of Emperor Samudragupta’s reign in around 375/380 CE. It shows in detail the core region or base of the Gupta dynasty and the extensive conquests made by Samudragupta, as well as the...

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Gupta Empire and Conquests
This map shows the conquests made by Gupta rulers in the 4th century CE and early 5th century CE. Of these three rulers—Chandragupta I, Samudragupta and Chandragupta II—Samudragupta’s conquests are the most important and the most extensive...

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Ancient India
India is a country in South Asia whose name comes from the Indus River. The name 'Bharata' is used as a designation for the country in their constitution referencing the ancient mythological emperor, Bharata, whose story is told, in part...

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Gold Coins - Gupta Period
Gold coins issued by Samudragupta (circa 335 – 375 CE).

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Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) was one of the greatest in Imperial Chinese history. It was a golden age of reform and cultural advancement which lay the foundation for policies which are still observed in China today. The second emperor, Taizong...

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Gupta Empire
A map showing the maximum extent of the Gupta Empire in northern India, c. 320-550 CE.

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Gupta/Vakataka Period War Elephants
A section of the mural at Ajanta in Cave No. 17. depicts the 'coming of Sinhala'. The prince (Prince Vijaya) is seen in both of groups of elephants and riders. This mural also depicts the soldiers of the Gupta/Vakataka period (4th to 6th...

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Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) was the second dynasty of China, which succeeded the Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BCE) after the overthrow of the Xia tyrant Jie by the Shang leader, Tang. Since many historians question whether the Xia Dynasty...

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Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE) was the second dynasty of Imperial China (the era of centralized, dynastic government, 221 BCE - 1912 CE) which established the paradigm for all succeeding dynasties up through 1912 CE. It succeeded the...

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Ming Dynasty
The imperial Ming dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644. It replaced the Mongol Yuan dynasty which had been in power since the 13th century. Despite challenges from abroad and within, the Ming dynasty oversaw an unprecedented growth in China's...