Final answer:
The Mauryan and Gupta dynasties were similar in maintaining a standing army and politically uniting India.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mauryan and Gupta dynasties were similar in two ways: they both maintained a standing army and they both played an important role in politically uniting India.
The Mauryan Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 326 BCE, had a well-run army that helped expand its territory and maintain control. The Gupta Dynasty, which ruled from the 4th to the 7th centuries CE under Chandragupta, also had a standing army to protect its empire and enforce its rule.
Both dynasties also played a crucial role in uniting India politically. Chandragupta Maurya unified much of northern India, while the Guptas conquered most of the Indian subcontinent. Their rule brought political stability and a sense of unity to a fragmented region.