1. From the Mauryas to the Guptas May 2009 Chetan Vaity

2. Ashoka's empire

3. After Ashoka... Ashoka died in 232 BC For another 50 years, Mauryan kings rule from Magadha In 183 BC, Pushyamitra Shunga, a senapati of Brhadratha – the last Mauryan king – grabs power through a palace revolution

4. Maurya on timeline

5. Shunga Centered around Vidisha Vassal states – more or less independent Issued their own coins Little known about Magadha Other kings: Agnimitra, Vasumitra, Bhagabhadra

6. Greeks from Bactria Demetrius – in early 2 nd century BC – occupied Indus Valley and Punjab Raids till Pataliputra Divided into several petty kingdoms One of the Greek kings, Menander, (ruler of Sakala - Sialkot) is well remembered in Buddhist sources "The Questions of Milinda" - his dialogue with monk Nagasena

7. Shunga on timeline

8. Kushana In first half of 1 st century, the Kushana tribe of the Yeuh-Chi gained control of NW India

9. Kanishka Kanishka ruled till Varanasi - remembered as a great patron of Buddhism Kanishka's coronation - AD 78 (?)‏ 4 th Buddhist council in Kashmir Soon, this empire too reduced and NW India came under control of the Persians

10. Kushana on timeline

11. Kharavela of Kalinga Latter half of 1 st century BC Short lived empire

12. Satvahanas of the Deccan Centered around Pratishthan (Paithan)‏ Long lived empire – almost 300 years Influence reached beyond Narmada

13. The Saka threat For a short time, Sakas under Nahapana gained control of NW Deccan

14. Gautamiputra Satkarni (Shalivahan)‏ In AD 125, Gautamiputra Satkarni recovered these lands and expanded his empire - from coast to coast

15. Timeline

16. Stupas - Sanchi Commissioned by Ashoka May have been destroyed by Pushyamitra Sunga Rebuilt by Agnimitra Sunga Gateways added by Satvahanas

17. Stupas - Amravati Amravati Originally started by Ashoka Completed in 200 AD

18. Ajanta

19. Trade with Rome

20. Roman trade Ports: Barbaricum (Karachi)‏ Barygaza (Bharuch)‏ Calliena (Kalyan) – via Naneghat Suppala (Sopara)‏ “ India, China and the Arabian peninsula take one hundred million sesterces from our empire per annum at a conservative estimate: that is what our luxuries and women cost us. ” - Pliny (50 AD)‏