The Mauryan and Gupta empires both originated in India, but at different times, 324-184 B.C.E and 320 C.E, respectfully. These empires turned out to be very similar, the Gupta ruler Chandra Gupta borrowed his name from the Mauryan ruler Chandragupta, as well as the same capital as the Mauryan Empire, Pataliputra. The Mauryan Empire taxed its people and spied on them to enforce obedience, unlike the Gupta which ran the empire by a diplomacy. Both empires traded, the Mauryan with East Asia, South East Asia and even the Middle East and the eastern Roman empire. The Gupta traded with Malaysia, Indonesia and China, travelling by boat. Items such as salt, iron and cotton cloth was traded by the Mauryan and items such as cotton, metal wares, salt
