After the Indus Valley Civilization, what came into light was the Maurya Dynasty. From the great Maurya dynasty the most famous remains are the edict pillars, erected throughout Northern India by the Emperor Ashoka, to proclaim his devotion to Buddhism. The monolithic, smooth columns are over 50 ft high and are surmounted by lotus capitals and animal figures. Some of the pillar capitals reveal forms that suggest Persepolitan influences. Also dating from the reign of Ashoka is the earliest stone ogival chaitya window, found on the portal of a small rock-cut sanctuary near Bodh Gaya. 

Walled and moated cities with large gates and multi-storied buildings that consistently used chaitya arches in wood, for roofs and upper structures above more solid storeys are important features of the architecture during this period. 

The Buddhist Stupa, a dome shaped monument, was used in India as a commemorative monument associated with storing sacred relics, has now been adopted in South East and East Asia, where it is identified as a symbol of Buddhist Architecture. The Indian gateway arches, the torana, reached East Asia with the spread of Buddhism. A very important development, the emergence of the shikara or temple tower, is  best evidenced today by the Buddhist Mahabodhi Temple. The Sanchi Stupa remains one of the marvellous architectural wonders from this time. These views of ancient Indian cities have been relied on for the understanding of ancient Indian urban architecture.