After Harappa Harappa fell in 1500 BCE New foundations formed from 1500 to 500 BCE Aryans invaded India Hub for trading Alexander the Great invaded India and brought Hellenistic culture Brahman culture developed Mauryan Dynasty Chandragupta Maurya founded this dynasty (ruled 322-298 BCE) Maintained large armies Autocratic government Ashoka (Chandragupta?s grandson) (ruled 269-232 BCE) was very influential Converted to Buddhism and spread it Bloodthirsty conqueror Kushans invaded and took over after Ashoka (185 BCE-220 CE) Gupta Empire Beginning in 320 CE Not as influential Negotiated with local princes for intermarriage to spread the empire Political stability Uniform law codes Overturned by the Huns in 535 CE Arts & Sciences Literature Epic poems Collections of stories Science