The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c7.24

c7.24

Twice, in the long series of centuries dealt with in this history, the political unity of all India was nearly attained; first, in the third century B. C., when Asoka's empire extended almost to the latitude of Madras; and again, in the fourth century after Christ, when Samudragupta carried his victorious arms from the Ganges to the borders of the Tamil country. Other princes, although their conquests were less extensive, yet succeeded in establishing, and for a time maintaining, empires which might fairly claim to rank as paramount powers. With the history of such princes the following narrative is chiefly concerned, the affairs of the minor states being either slightly noticed, or altogether ignored.