Gupta Empire - Malar 225s6c

Learning Objectives 1. Pupil to know the source of history of the Guptas. 2. Pupil learn about the achievements of the Gupta rulers. 3. Pupil acquire knowledge about the social, economic, religious, and cultural condition of India under the Guptas. 4. Pupil learn the scientific & technological development under the Guptas. 5. Pupil understand why the Gupta period is called the Golden Age.

Facts Capital: Pataliputra

Language: Sanskrit Religion: Hinduism Buddhism

Today Part of: India Pakistan Bangladesh Myanmar Period: A.D. 320-A.D. 500s

How emerged Around 4th Century,

SriGupta established a Small kingdom at Pataliputra. He is

the founder of Gupta Dynasty. The Guptas ruled for about 200 years.

Notable Gupta Rulers Chandragupta I Samudragupta Chandragupta II

These 3 are the most notable rulers of Gupta Dynasty. (Do not confuse Chandragupta I with Chandragupta Maurya, founder of Mauryan Empire. Both are different persons.)

Archeological evidence 1. The 18 puranas. 2. Chinese traveler Fa-hien’s notes. 3. Vishakadatta’s Mudra Rakshasa . 4. Kalidasa’s literary works.

5. Bana’s Harsha Charita. 6. The Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta. 7. Coins. 8. Seals and Monuments.

Chandragupta I Chandra Gupta I (A.D. 320 - A.D. 330)  The first notable ruler of the Gupta dynasty

was Chandragupta I.  Called as Maharajadhiraja.  Married Kumara Devi

 Kumara Devi is the 1st Indian Queen featured on a coin.

samudragupta Samudragupta (A.D. 330 - A.D. 380)

 Defeated: 9 rulers in the North. 12 rulers in the South.

 He came as far as Kanchipuram.  Interested in Music and Poetry.  Because of his vast conquests, Dr.Smith calls him as Indian Napoleon.

Chandragupta ii Chandgragupta II (A.D. 380 - A.D. 415)

 Son of Samudragupta.  Called as Vikramaditya.  Scholars in His Court: Kalidasa & Amarasimha  Foreign People Visited: 1. Chinese traveler Fa-Hien 2. Arab merchant Sulaiman 3. Marco Polo

Social and economic 1. Women of upper class took part in istration. 2. Women selected their husbands through Swayamvara. 3. People were rich and generous.

4. People enjoyed high standard of living. 5. Foreign trade was done with China, Indonesia, etc.

Extensive Trade

spices gold & ivory

International Trade Routes during the Guptas

Religion and culture 1. Hinduism was the dominant religion of the state. 2. Sanskrit became the Court language. 3. Vishnu and Shiva were worshipped.

4. Education received importance. 5. Universities like Nalanda, Taxila, Ujjain, Saranath and Vikramasila were famous.

Kalidasa

The greatest of Indian poets.

His most famous play was Shakuntala. During rule of Chandra Gupta II.

Art and Architecture 1. Guptas were very interested in architecture, sculpture and painting. 2. Build stone temple for Vishnu in Jhansi.

3. Beautiful image of Buddha were made at Saranath and Mathura. 4. World famous painting of Ajanta and Ellora were made.

Gupta Art

Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture.

Science and technology 1. Aryabhatta was famous astronomer during Guptas. 2. Technology of metallurgy was well developed during Guptas.

3. Nagarjuna discovered many new medicines. 4. Dhanvantri was very famous Ayur Veda Physician. 5. Charaka and Susruta were very popular.

500 healing plants identified

1000 diseases classified

Printed medicinal guides

Medicine science & technology

Kalidasa

Plastic Surgery

Medicine Inoculations

C-sections performed

Decimal System

Gupta India

Mathematics

Concept of Zero

PI = 3.1416

Literature

Solar Calendar

Astronomy The earth is round

Fa-hien: life in gupta india Chinese Buddhist Monk Fa-hien Traveled along the Silk Road and visited India during the time of Chandragupta II.

He came following the path of Buddha. He reported the people to be happy, free of government oppression.

Golden age  This Period had all-round developments in Religion, Literature, Science, Art & Architecture.  There was economic prosperity all over the country.  People lived in peace. That’s why the Guptan period is Considered as the Golden Age in the History of India.

The Decline of the Guptas  Chandragupta II – Kumaragupta – Skandagupta During Skandagupta’s rule, Huns who came from Central Asia attacked the Gupta Empire. After the death of Skandagupta, the empire began to decline & collapsed.

Learning outcome 1. Pupil will be able to list the main sources of history of the Guptas. 2. Able to point out the achievements of Samudragupta and Chandragupta II.

3. Able to describe the salient features of the Gupta Age. 4. Able to explain the Cultural development under the Guptas. 5. Able to explain why the Gupta period is considered as the Golden Age.

Done By: r.Malarvizhi