The Gupta Empire crearted a very top-down system of government to monitor and administer its territories. The empire was divided up into 26 provinces with each on headed by a regional leader. These provinces were in turn divided up into subdivisions headed by a leader who was supported by a regional council of four people.

The Maurya Empire divided its holdings into four cresant-shaped provinces with the capital in the middle. Each was headed by a "prince" who ruled as the kings chosen representative. A sophisticated civil service governed everthing from public health to trade. The impressive Gupta military maintained peace and national defense.