The sculptures pertaining to the period of c. 300 – 600 CE shows the introduction of new styles in the temple architecture. The inspiration for the themes for the sculpture was drawn from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jaina traditions.
During the reign of Dhruva (c. 780 – 793 CE), the Rashtrakuta kingdom expanded into an empire that encompassed all of the territory between the Kaveri River and Central India. He led successful expeditions to Kannauj and defeated the King Nagabhatta II. He also defeated the Palas of Bengal (Dharmapala).
The Maurya period is remarkable in the early history of the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta Maurya was the first ruler who tried to consolidate small fragmented kingdoms and combined them to form the first empire of the Indian subcontinent.