Textbook
India's Ancient Past
The expanded version of the classic old-NCERT ancient India text; clear and exam-friendly.
Aryabhata
Scientist / mathematician
Gupta Empire
c. 476 CE – c. 550 CE
Mathematician-astronomer who wrote the Aryabhatiya.
Their world
Move along the chart to see their age in any year, who ruled and what happened; click anything to open it.
The map shows Gupta Empire around their lifetime and where the events of their lifetime took place.
Hover a dot for the event; click it to open the full map in that year.
Rulers of the time
Kujula Kadphises
Emperor, Kushan Empire · c. 30 CE – c. 80 CE
Vima Taktu
Emperor, Kushan Empire · c. 80 CE – c. 95 CE
Budhagupta
Maharajadhiraja, Gupta Empire · c. 477 CE – c. 495 CE
Kashyapa I
King, Anuradhapura Kingdom · c. 477 CE – c. 495 CE
Pulakeshin I
King, Chalukyas of Badami · c. 543 CE – c. 566 CE
Manadeva I
King, Licchavi Kingdom of Nepal · c. 464 CE – c. 505 CE
Bhatarka
Senapati, Maitraka Dynasty · c. 475 CE – c. 492 CE
Harishena
King, Vakataka Dynasty · c. 475 CE – c. 500 CE
Toramana
King, Alchon Huns (Hunas) · c. 493 CE – c. 515 CE
Mihirakula
King, Alchon Huns (Hunas) · c. 515 CE – c. 540 CE
Events in their lifetime
| c. 477 CE | Kashyapa I builds Sigiriya |
| c. 480 CE | Ajanta's later caves under Harishena |
| 499 CE | Aryabhata writes the Aryabhatiya |
| c. 510 CE | Huna invasions under Toramana The Hunas seized parts of western and central India, weakening the Guptas. |
| c. 528 CE | Yashodharman defeats Mihirakula Mihirakula's power in central India was broken. |
| 543 CE | Pulakeshin I fortifies Vatapi |
| c. 550 CE | Fall of the imperial Guptas North India fragmented among the Maukharis, Later Guptas and others. |
| c. 550 CE | Colossal Buddhas carved at Bamiyan |
Contemporaries
Sorted by how long their lives overlapped. The bar shows when, within Aryabhata’s life.
Bodhidharma
Saint / religious leader · active c. 500 CE
Indian monk credited with founding Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China
Overlap: 54 years
Varahamihira
Scientist / mathematician · c. 505 CE – c. 587 CE
Astronomer-astrologer who wrote the Brihat Samhita
Overlap: 45 years
📚 Recommended reading
Reference
A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India
The most complete modern textbook on ancient India, rich in sources, maps and archaeology.
Reference
Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300
An authoritative, interpretive history of early Indian society and states.
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