Age of Vedanga (500 to 200 B.C.): The age of Vedangas and Kalpa Suthras starts in 500 B.C. with the fall of the Shishunaga Dynasty in Magadha Kingdom and ends in 200 B.C. after glorious reign of Ashoka and the end of Mauriyan rule in 185 B.C. This period also saw the Nanda empire in the North, the Mauriyan King Chandraguptha, Kingdoms in the South flourishing with Chera, Chola and Pandya rulers and Andhra kings. The invasion and retreat of the great king Alexander and the defeat of Selucus occurred in this period. During this period, Vedic studies were organized and systematized and works on Vedangas and Sutras were written. Saivism and Vaishnavism developed in the Hindu fold. Buddhism that started in the end of earlier age of Upanishads, started spreading all over India and South East Asia under Asoka's rule. Jainism also spread to the South under Bhadrabahu. The five Suthra texts and Kautilya's Arthasasthra were written at this time. Carvings of Surya and Indra at Bhaja, Cave Temple paintings and Ashoka pillar edicts belong to this age. Sages Apasthamba, Ashvalayana, Bhadrabhahu, Kautilya, Kings Chandraguptha and Ashoka were in this period.

Age of Epics (200 BC to 300 AD).: During the Epic age, Indian frontiers were attacked by Bactrian Greeks, Parthians, Shakas and Kushanas. The famous empires of Kanishkas in northwest, Shunga and Kanva in Magadha and Satavahana in Deccan were in power. Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms were in the South and the Pallava power just started at this time. After the fall of the Mauriyan empire, Hindu Renaissance started. Ancient laws were codified with the Smritis of Manu and Yajnavalkya. The six Schools of Darshanas were clearly written and organized. The earlier writings of Mahabharatha and Ramayana were enlarged and popularized. Pathanjali's Mahbhashya and Bharatha's Natyasasthra were written at this age.