Textbook
Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
Kushan Empire
c. 30 CE – c. 300 CE
Map layer: Empires & Kingdoms
A Central Asian empire ruling the northwest and Gangetic plain; Kanishka's era of Gandhara and Mathura art.
Main polities of this period
| Name | Type | Span | Region | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kushan Empire ★ | Empire | c. 30 CE – c. 375 CE | Northwest | Purushapura / Mathura |
Also existing during this period
Satavahana Empire
Deccan · c. 200 BCE – c. 225 CE
Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri
Deccan · c. 225 CE – c. 340 CE
Vakataka Dynasty
Deccan · c. 250 CE – c. 500 CE
Mahameghavahana (Chedi) of Kalinga
East · c. 200 BCE – c. 50 CE
Gupta Empire
Gangetic Plain · c. 240 CE – c. 550 CE
Indo-Scythian (Saka) Kingdoms
Northwest · c. 110 BCE – c. 80 CE
Indo-Parthian Kingdom
Northwest · c. 19 CE – c. 100 CE
Early Pandyas (Sangam era)
South · c. 400 BCE – c. 300 CE
Early Cholas (Sangam era)
South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE
Early Cheras (Sangam era)
South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE
Kalabhra Interregnum
South · c. 250 CE – c. 600 CE
Pallava Dynasty
South · c. 275 CE – c. 897 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
Sri Lanka · c. 437 BCE – c. 1017
Western Kshatrapas
West · c. 35 CE – c. 415 CE
Events
| Year | Event | Polity |
|---|---|---|
| c. 30 CE | Kujula Kadphises unites the Kushans The five Yuezhi tribes were united under one ruler. |
Kushan Empire |
| c. 46 CE | Takht-i-Bahi monastery founded | Indo-Parthian Kingdom |
| c. 50 CE | Roman trade at Arikamedu and Muziris | Early Cholas (Sangam era) |
| c. 52 CE | St Thomas traditionally lands at Muziris | Early Cheras (Sangam era) |
| 78 CE | Saka era begins | Western Kshatrapas |
| c. 100 CE | Chaitya halls at Karla and Nashik | Satavahana Empire |
| c. 124 CE | Gautamiputra Satakarni defeats Nahapana The Satavahanas recovered the western Deccan from the Kshaharatas. |
Satavahana Empire |
| c. 127 CE | Kanishka's accession | Kushan Empire |
| c. 150 CE | Rudradaman's Junagadh inscription | Western Kshatrapas |
| c. 230 CE | Sasanian conquest of the western Kushan lands Kushanshah governors ruled Bactria as Sasanian vassals. |
Kushan Empire |
| c. 240 CE | Sri Gupta founds the Gupta line | Gupta Empire |
| c. 250 CE | Nagarjunakonda flourishes under the Ikshvakus | Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri |
| c. 275 CE | Pallava rule begins at Kanchi | Pallava Dynasty |
📚 Recommended reading for this era
Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Textbook
An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)
The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.
Textbook
India's Ancient Past
The expanded version of the classic old-NCERT ancient India text; clear and exam-friendly.
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