The Gupta Empire was one of the greatest political and military empires in the history of India. It was ruled by the Gupta dynasty between 320 and 550 AD. C. and occupied most of northern India and present-day East Pakistan and Bangladesh. Under this empire, there was a period of peace and prosperity that favored the development of Indian culture from an artistic, literary and scientific. The Gupta kings established an effective administrative system and a strong central power, allowing local autonomy in periods of peace. The society was ordered according to the beliefs of Hinduism with a rigid division in castes. At this stage Hinduism acquires its main characteristics: the main divinities, religious practices and the importance of temples. During this period, trade and foreign exchange were so great that Hindu and Buddhist mythology and architecture expanded through Borneo, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand.
The Maurya Empire was the first great unified empire of India. Ruled by the Maurya dynasty, it lasted from 320 BC. C. up to 185 a. C. (probable dates), dominating all of northern and central India and some regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Under Chandragupta, the Maurya Empire liberated the region that was under the Macedonian occupation. Chandragupta defeated the invaders led by Seleuco I, a Greek general of Alexander's army. Under Chandragupta and his successors, both domestic and foreign trade, agriculture and economic activities prospered and expanded throughout India thanks to the creation of a unique and efficient system of finance, administration and security. After the Kalinga War, the Empire experienced half a century of peace and security under Ashoka: India was a prosperous and stable Empire of great economic and military power, whose political and trade influence spread throughout Central, Western Asia and Europe. . But this empire never had a golden period.
