The peace of the Gupta Empire initiated a golden age of cultural and
scientific advancements until the empire's dissolution in 550 CE.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES [ edit ]
Discuss the significance of the Golden Age of India
Describe the decline of the Gupta Empire
KEY POINTS [ edit ]
The peace and prosperity in the Gupta Empire initiated a period known as the Golden Age of India
because it was marked by extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology,
engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy.
Chandragupta II promoted the synthesis of science, art, philosophy, and religion in part because
his court contained the Navartna (or the Nine Jewels), a group of nine scholars who produced
advancements in many academic fields.
Strong trade relationships made the Gupta Empire an important cultural center and its Golden
Age advancements influenced Burma, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
The Chinese traveler Fa Xian visited India from 399 ­ 405 CE during the reign of Emperor
Chandragupta II, and he recorded all of his observations in a journal that was published later.
The Gupta Empire ended in 550 CE when it disintegrated into regional kingdoms after a series of
weak rulers and invasions from the east, west, and north.
TERMS [ edit ]
Chandragupta II
his reign from 375 ­ 415 CE promoted the synthesis of science, art, philosophy, and religion
during the Golden Age of India
Golden Age of India
the period (also the height of the Gupta Empire) was marked by extensive inventions and
discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics,
astronomy, religion, and philosophy that contributed to Hindu culture
Fa Xian
a Chinese traveler who took detailed observations in his journal about his experience in the Gupta
Empire; his journal was later published
Navartna
also called the Nine Jewels, this was a group of nine scholars in the court of Chandragupta II who
contributed to many advancements in their academic fields
ayurvedic
A form of alternative medicine that was established in India
Give us feedback on this content: FULL TEXT [ edit ]
The peace and prosperity created under the leadership of the Guptas enabled the pursuit of
scientific and artistic endeavors. This period became known as the Golden Age of India
because it was marked by extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology,
engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy
that crystallized the elements of what is generally known as Hindu culture.
Science, Literature, and Art
Although Chandragupta I and Samudragupta were prominent rulers, the reign of
Chandragupta II promoted science, art, philosophy, and religion in his government.
Chandragupta's court was even more influential because it contained the Navartna or the
Nine Jewels, a group of nine scholars who produced advancements in many academic fields.
Scholars of this period include Varahamihira and Aryabhata; Aryabhata is believed to be the
first to come up with the concept of zero and who postulated the theory that the Earth moves
round the Sun. Aryabhata proposed that the earth is not flat, but is instead round and rotates
about its own axis. He also may have discovered that the Moon and planets shine by reflected
sunlight. Other scholars helped create the first Indian numeral systems with base 10
originated during the Golden Age. The famous Sushruta Samhita, which is a Sanskrit
redaction text on all of the major concepts ofayurvedic medicine with innovative chapters on
surgery, dates to the Gupta period. The game of chess probably originated from this period,
where its early form was calledchaturanga and contained game pieces for infantry, cavalry,
elephants, and chariots, which would each evolve into the modern pawn, knight, rook, and
bishop, respectively.
Krishna and Radha playing chaturanga (an early version of chess)
Scholars during the reign of Chandragupta II contributed to many scientific advancements, including in
astronomy, mathematics, and medicine.
Kalidasa, who was a great playwright, wrote plays such as Shakuntala, which is said to have
inspired German writer and stateman, Johann von Goethe centuries later, and marked the
highest point of Sanskrit literature, which is also said to have belonged to this period. He also
became renowned for his study of the shringara (romantic) element. The Indian scholar
Vatsyayana also wrote the ancient Sanskrit text the Kama Sutra, as a standard work on
human sexual behavior.
The cultural creativity of the Golden Age of India produced magnificent architecture,
sculptures, and paintings. Palaces and temples constructed during the Golden Age contained
the highest quality sculptures and paintings. The walls of Buddhist shrines and monasteries
were decorated with colorful frescoes, or wall paintings. These paintings showed scenes from
the life of the Buddha. Some shrines were cut out of the cliffs and although dark, they were
also decorated with sculptures and paintings.
The Dashavatara Temple or Vishnu Temple
The Golden Age of India produced many temples with many sculptures and and pantings.
Influence on East and Southeast Asia
The Gupta dynasty promoted Hinduism, but supported Buddhist and Jain cultures as well.
Gupta Buddhist art influenced East and Southeast Asia as trade between regions increased.
The Gupta Empire became an important cultural center and influenced nearby kingdoms
and regions in Burma, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Classical forms of Indian music and
dance, created under the Guptas, are still practiced all over Asia today.
Fa Xian was one of the first Chinese travelers who visited India during the reign of Gupta
emperor Chandragupta II. He started his journey from China in 399 CE and reached India in
405 CE, and he recorded all of his observations in a journal that was eventually published.
During his stay in India up to 411 CE, he went on a pilgrimage to Mathura, Kanauj,
Kapilavastu, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Kashi, and Rajgriha. Fa Xian was pleased
with the mildness of administration and, according to his accounts, the Gupta Empire was a
prosperous period until trade collapsed as its trade partners disintegrated.
Decline of the Gupta Empire
Chandragupta II was succeeded by his second son Kumaragupta I in 415 CE, who ruled
successfully until 455 CE. His son Skandagupta assumed the throne and is considered to be
the last of the great Gupta rulers. He defeated several rebellions and external threats from
the Huna people but the expenses of the wars drained the empire's resources. The Huna
people were a Central Asian Xionite tribe that consisted of four hordes in four cardinal
directions. Northern Huna were the Black Huns, Southern Huna were the Red Huns, Eastern
Huna were the Celestial Huns, and Western Huna were the White Huns or Hephthalites.
Skandagupta died in 467 and was succeeded by his brother Purugupta, and then by
successive, weak kings.
The Hephthalites broke through the Gupta defenses in the northwest in the 480s, and much
of the empire in northwest was overrun by the Huna by 500. The empire disintegrated into
numerous regional kingdoms. A minor line of the Gupta clan continued to rule Magadha, but
the great Gupta Empire had ended by 550 CE.