Chandragupta: Did you mean...?

The ancient history of Afghanistan, a landlocked country in Central Asia, is full of fascinating cultures, from early nomadic tribes to the realms of Achaemenid Persia, the Seleucids, the Mauryans, the Parthians, and Sasanians, as well as...

The urdubegis were a group of female warriors in the Mughal Empire, who protected the zenana, the harem of the emperor. Although the origins of female bodyguards go back to the beginning of Indian civilizations, the urdubegis were a Mughal...

The Gupta Empire (c. 320–550 CE) emerged from the Magadha (modern Bihar), establishing political dominance over much of northern, central, and western India. Its rise marked a transition from regional fragmentation to imperial consolidation...

This map shows conquests made by emperors of the Gupta dynasty in the 4th century CE and early 5th century CE. Of these three rulers—Chandragupta I (320 – 335 CE), Samudragupta (c. 335 – 375 CE) and Chandragupta II (c. 380 – 414 CE)—Samudragupta’s...

A map illustrating the rise and expansion of the Mauryan empire, the first pan-Indian empire that covered most of India and parts of present-day Iran. Chandragupta Maurya, the first ruler, seized the opportunity created by the power vacuum...

The Seleucid Empire (312-63 BCE) was the vast political entity established by Seleucus I Nicator ("Victor" or "Unconquered", l. c. 358-281 BCE, r. 305-281 BCE), one of the generals of Alexander the Great who claimed a part of his empire after...

The Gandhara Civilization existed in what is now Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan from the middle of the 1st millennium BCE to the beginning of the 2nd millennium CE. Although multiple major powers ruled over this area during that time...

Magadha was an ancient kingdom located on the Indo-Gangetic plains in eastern India and spread over what is today the modern state of Bihar. At the height of its power, it claimed suzerainty over the entire eastern part of the country (roughly...

Map showing the extent of the Mauryan Empire at its furthest extent, c. 322 - 185 BCE.

The Edicts of Ashoka are 33 inscriptions engraved on pillars, large stones, and cave walls by Ashoka the Great (r. 268-232 BCE), the third king of the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) of India. One set, the so-called Major Rock Edicts, are consistent...