About the book: 1985 / The book is a general work on the history and culture of ancient India. The authors used a variety of sources - epigraphic materials, numismatics, literary monuments. The work outlines political and social history, talks about the formation of mythological and religious ideas, philosophical ideas, art and science of the period under review. Particular attention is paid to the history of the three largest states - the Mauryans, Kushans, and Guptas. The latest archaeological research has made it possible to recreate the appearance of one of the most ancient civilizations of the East - the Harappan.