Historiography on South Asia sees the great unified state encompassing the entire subcontinent as the political ideal, but this seldom reflected historical realities. The Maurya (c. 320-73 bce) and Gupta Empires (c. 320-500), the Mughal Empire (1525-1858), and British Raj (1858-1947) are the exceptions proving the rule – though even these never achieved consistent control across the board (se…