AD 320-600

The expanding power of Persia under the Sasanians destabilised the political situation in South Asia in the early 4th century AD. As the Kushān kingdom declined, there was a struggle for control. Under Samudragupta (reigned about 350-376) the Gupta dynasty emerged as the dominant power, conquering much of north India from Bihar and Bengal in the east to frontier with Afghanistan in the west. Candragupta II (reigned about 375-415) extended Gupta rule to the western coast.

Gupta inscriptions documenting the exploits of the dynasty were written in Sanskrit, which represented a conscious revival of India’s ancient classical language and formed part of a larger cultural flowering in literature and the arts. The resurgence of learning was encouraged by the Guptas who had a policy of reinstating the authority of orthodox tradition and expanding the influence of early Hinduism.

From about 470 Huns from Central Asia and Afghanistan began making forays into the northern regions. At first repulsed by the Guptas, they eventually launched a full-scale invasion and overran much of India. By the early 6th century the Guptas had retreated to Bengal. However, Hun control of north and central India was short lived. A number of local dynasties rose up against the invaders and by 535 the Huns had withdrawn to Kashmir and the northern Punjāb.