"The History of India From The Earliest Ages, Volume II" by J. Talboys Wheeler offers an in-depth historical account of India, focusing on various significant periods and empires from ancient times through the early medieval era. Here is a brief overview of Volume II:Brief Overview Author: J. Talboys Wheeler Title: The History of India From The Earliest Ages, Volume II Publication Year: The volume was published in the 19th century, around 1867. Content Summary: The Mauryan Empire:Chandragupta Maurya: Founder of the Mauryan Empire and his consolidation of power. Bindusara: Chandragupta’s son and his administration. Ashoka the Great: His transformation into a patron of Buddhism, major edicts, and the empire’s expansion. Decline: Factors leading to the eventual fall of the Mauryan Empire. Post-Mauryan Dynasties:The Shunga Dynasty: Emergence and administration following the Mauryas. The Kanva Dynasty: Brief history and decline. The Gupta Empire:Chandragupta I: Establishment of the Gupta Empire and early developments. Samudragupta: His military conquests and consolidation of the empire. Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya): The Gupta Empire’s golden age, cultural achievements, and political stability. Decline: Reasons behind the decline of the Gupta Empire and its impact on India. The Harsha Empire:King Harsha: His reign, policies, and contributions to Indian history. Administration and Society: Description of Harsha’s administrative policies and societal conditions. Decline: The reasons behind the fall of Harsha's empire. The Rajput States:Rise of the Rajputs: Formation of Rajput states and their significance. Key Rulers and Dynasties: Major Rajput rulers and their impact on regional politics and culture. Medieval Indian History:Early Islamic Influence: Arrival and impact of Islam in India. Formation of Sultanates: Establishment of various Sultanates and their influence on Indian history. Political and Cultural Changes: Transition from medieval to early modern periods. Significance: Historical Insight: Provides a detailed account of significant Indian empires, dynasties, and cultural changes from the Mauryan period to early medieval times. Colonial Perspective: Reflects 19th-century British scholarly interpretations of Indian history, which may include colonial biases. This volume is part of Wheeler's comprehensive series on Indian history, offering a narrative that helps understand the political and cultural developments of early India.

The table of contents for "The History of India From The Earliest Ages, Volume II" by J. Talboys Wheeler provides a detailed breakdown of the historical topics covered in this volume. While the specific contents might vary slightly depending on the edition, the general outline is as follows:Table of Contents IntroductionOverview of the period covered in Volume II. Summary of previous volumes and historical context. The Mauryan EmpireChandragupta Maurya: Establishment of the Mauryan Empire. Bindusara: Successor and administration. Ashoka the Great: Reign, policies, and spread of Buddhism. Decline of the Mauryas: Factors leading to the fall of the Mauryan Empire. The Post-Mauryan PeriodThe Shunga Dynasty: Rise and governance. The Kanva Dynasty: Historical significance and decline. The Gupta EmpireChandragupta I: Foundation of the Gupta Empire. Samudragupta: Expansion and achievements. Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya): Golden age of the Gupta Empire. Decline of the Guptas: Causes and impacts on Indian history. The Harsha EmpireKing Harsha: Reign, administration, and contributions. Harsha's Administration and Society: Social, political, and cultural aspects. Decline of the Harsha Empire: Factors leading to the fall. The Rajput StatesOrigins and Rise: Formation and early history of Rajput states. Key Rajput Dynasties: Notable Rajput rulers and their contributions. Rajput Culture and Society: Social structure and cultural achievements. Medieval Indian HistoryEarly Islamic Influences: Arrival of Islam and its impact on India. Formation of Sultanates: Establishment of various Sultanates and their rule. Political and Cultural Changes: Transition from medieval to early modern India. Summary and ConclusionRecap of Major Events: Key historical developments covered in Volume II. Historical Implications: Impact of the events on subsequent Indian history.