Background Centuries prior to the advent of the Gupta empire, the Maurya empire had arisen in 3rd century BCE. This was a huge state, covering the majority of the Indian subcontinent. For several centuries after it had vanished no empire arose in India to take its place. Indeed, whilst the Maurya empire fragmented into several […]
Buddhism
Ancient India: Civilization and Society
The history and civilization of Ancient India, including timeline and overview
The Classical Era of Ancient India
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The Classical Age of Ancient India was the time and place in world history where three major religions – Classical Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism – originated
Philosophy, Religion and Culture in Medieval China
Philosophy The Late Han period and after Confucianism Confucianism had been the official ideology of the Han dynasty, and it retained this status in all the Chinese states which succeeded the Han. It remained the focus of the officials’ educational curriculum and continued to shape the outlook of the elite. However, in the troubles which […]
The Gandhara Culture of Ancient India
The Gandhara culture of northern India was a fascinating episode in world history. Here was a location in space and time where two civilizations met: Ancient Greek and Ancient Indian. The result was a rich fusion of elements, which went on the have an impact right across Asia. Contents Introduction Historical overview Government and Administration […]
The Sui Dynasty of China
The reunification of China After the fall of the Han empire, the first great empire in Chinese history (202 BCE to 220 CE), China had experienced more than 350 years of disunity. In northern China, these centuries had been characterized by barbarian invasions and other upheavals, followed by the establishment of various kingdoms ruled by […]
India: the Medieval Era
Medieval India saw the high point of Hindu civilization in the Indian sub-continent, followed by a succession of Muslim conquests.
The Mauryan Empire of Ancient India
The Mauryan empire of Ancient India was the first great empire in India’s long history, and one of the great empires of the Ancient World
Tang Dynasty China
Historical outline of the Tang dynasty The Foundation of the Tang dynasty China had been reunited by the Sui dynasty in 589 CE, after centuries of division. However, the second emperor of the Sui dynasty, emperor Yang, seems to have been a megalomaniac. His grandiose schemes caused misery for millions of peasants forced to labor […]