The Gupta Empire arose in northern India in 320 CE after the decline of the Mauryan Empire. Under rulers like Chandra Gupta I and Samudra Gupta, the Gupta Empire became unified and prosperous, spreading Hinduism through building temples and promoting Hindu writings. Religious tolerance was shown toward Buddhists and Jainists. The Gupta Empire is considered a high point of India's ancient history, known as the Golden Age of India, when art, literature, science, and economic prosperity flourished.

1. Gupta Empire

2. n After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, India remained primarily
Buddhist for 500 years.
n Under the rule of Chandra Gupta I, India became unified and
prosperous again.
• Gupta rulers spread Hinduism in their empire through the
building of temples and the promotion of Hindu writings and
rituals.
• Widespread religious tolerance was encouraged for Buddhists
and Jainists.
Gupta Empire

3. Revival of Native Indian Rule
n For 500 years prior to
320 C.E., India ruled
by foreign invaders:
Greeks, Persians,
Scythians, Kushans.
n By 320 Gupta family
dynasty creates
strong government
capable of repelling
barbarian invasions
• ChandraGupta I first “Majaraja” or “Great King.” Ruled 319-
335 C.E.. Unifies through strategic marriage and conquest.

4. Gupta Empire
n Gupta dynasty begins in 320
AD
n United the subcontinent under
their rule
n Strong central government
– Allowed for local governments
to have power
• local leaders to be elected by
merchants and artisans
• Villages were led by headman
and councils
n Promoted Hindu concepts but
were tolerant of other beliefs
n Peace and prosperity led to
India’s Golden Age

5. n

6. n

7. II. Gupta Empire
n Chandra Gupta (no relation), oversaw a great
flowering of Indian civilization and Hindu culture
A. Chandra Gupta Builds an Empire
1. power base along the Ganges
2. “Great King of Kings” in 320ad
3. son, Samudra Gupta took over in 335ad
4. Samudra Gupta was warlike, ruled for 40
years

8. n 320 BC Candragupta Maurya becomes the first Mauryan emperor.
n 301 BC Candragupta Maurya relinquishes the throne to become a
Jainist monk.
n 270 BC Asoka becomes the second Mauryan emperor.
n 261 BC Asoka’s empire gains great power, and he leaves to
become a Buddhist.
n AD 375 Candra Gupta I invades and conquers northern India and
brings Hinduism, prosperity, and a strict caste system back into
popular culture.
Time Line

9. Gupta Rulers
▪ Chandra Gupta I
❖ r. 320 – 335 CE
❖ “Great King of Kings”
▪ Chandra Gupta II
❖ r. 375 - 415 CE
❖ Profitable trade with
the Mediterranean
world!
▪ Hindu revival.
▪ Huns invade – 450 CE

10. SamudraGupta 335-380 C.E.
n Chakravartin or “Wheel Turner.”
Circuit of conquest like the sun.
n Conquered more than 20
kingdoms. But re-instated his
defeated enemies as tributary
kings. Skilled statesman.
n Built army and even navy.
n Devout Hindu worshipper of
Vishnu. Revived ancient Vedic
rites such as Horse Sacrifice.
n Yet tolerant of Buddhism
n Wealth “rightfully acquired.” Not
oppressive.
n Great patron of literature and
arts. Poet and musician
himself.
n Revived Sanskrit as sacred
language.

11. ChandraGupta II 380-413
• Built coast-to coast empire. Emphasized alliances
and strategic marriages. Created new Western
capital, Ujjain. Height of Empire.
• Master of compromise in
politics, diplomacy, religion.
• Tolerance of Buddhism and
Jainism. Built monasteries and
gave government posts to
religious minorities.
• Built efficient bureaucracy.
• Chinese pilgrims report
absence of corporal punish-
ment, poll or land taxes. Fixed salaries for soldiers.

12. FACTS OF THE GUPTA EMPIRE – 320 CE
• Produced no rulers who were as influential as
Chandragupta Maurya or Asoka, but Gupta
rulers had a greater impact on Indian society
• Expanded influence through negotiation and
intermarriage (instead of warfare)
• Leaders claimed that gods wanted them to
rule
• Hinduism was valued over Buddhism
• Created India’s “golden age”
• Spread uniform law codes
• Sponsored government service
projects
• Patrons of art and education

13. The Gupta Empire is Established
n Chandra Gupta Builds an
Empire
– Chandra Gupta marries
into kingship in north
India in A.D. 320
– Starts Gupta Empire—
India’s second empire;
flowering of Indian
civilization, especially
Hindu culture (see next
slide)
– His son Samudra Gupta
expands empire with
conquest

15. Economy and
Culture
The Caste
System
Social
Ramifications
Growth
Under Candra Gupta II, the Gupta Empire
reached the height of its power. It spread
across northern India and prospered.
The economy boomed, allowing citizens the
time and money to create great works of art
and literature.
It was believed that keeping citizens under
strict caste rule would stabilize the empire.
Women in the caste system were not seen
as equals and had few basic rights.
Candra Gupta II

16. Social structure
• Most people in ancient India
belonged to specific caste
• Castes determined jobs,
interaction with others
• Number grew, developed rules
Gender
• Also shaped Indian society
• Men had more rights than
women
• Patriarchal society, similar to
China
Legal codes
• Legal codes also defined
people’s roles
• Laws of Manu, compiled
between 200 BC, AD 200
• Defined proper behavior
Laws of Manu
• Female child subject to father,
female youth to husband
• Men expected to treat women
with respect
• Abused women could leave
Life in Gupta India

17. Gupta Empire
Government
n Chandragupta relied on Kautilya’s Arthasastara: teaches how to
hold vast empire together
n Bureaucratic government, four provinces headed by prince,
local districts, officials assess tax and enforce the law
n Farmers exempt from military service, protected by army
n Building of roads and conditions on roads (shade trees, rest
houses, wells, watering places)

18. 18
Chandragupta maintained order through a well-organized
bureaucracy. Royal officials supervised the building of roads
and harbors to benefit trade. Other officials collected taxes and
managed state-owned factories and shipyards. People sought
justice in royal courts.

19. 19
Chandragupta’s rule was effective but
harsh. A brutal secret police force
reported on corruption, crime, and
dissent—that is, ideas that opposed
those of the government. Fearful of his
many enemies, Chandragupta had
specially trained women warriors guard
his palace.

20. Main Idea 1:
Indian artists created great works of
religious art.
The Indians of the Mauryan and Gupta periods created
great works of art, many of which were religious in
nature.
Many of their artistic endeavors illustrated either Hindu or
Buddhist teachings.
Hindu and Buddhist temples were built throughout India.

21. Gupta Advances
• Arts
– Literature and poetry
– Use of Sanskrit to
write stories
– Buddhist cave paintings
at Ajanta
• Architecture
– Built large Hindu
temples
– Buddhist stuppas
• Influenced
construction of
pagodas in China

22. Painting and Sculpture
• The Gupta period saw the creation of countless works of
art.
• Most Indian paintings of the Gupta period are clear and
colorful.
• Many of the finest paintings of ancient India are found in
Hindu and Buddhist temples.
• Indian sculptors created intricately carved columns,
statues of kings and the Buddha for Buddhist cave
temples, and impressive statues of the Hindu gods for the
Hindu temples.

23. Religious Epics
Other Works
• During the Mauryan and Gupta period, many works of
Sanskrit literature were created.
• The greatest of these Sanskrit writings are two religious
epics: the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
• Writers in the Gupta period also created plays, poetry, and
other types of literature.
• Kalidasa was a famous writer during this time.
• Indian writers produced a book of stories called the
Panchatantra. This collection of moral stories spread
throughout the world.
Main Idea 2:
Sanskrit literature flourished during the Gupta period.

24. Kalidasa
▪ The greatest of Indian poets.
▪ His most famous play was Shakuntala.
▪ During the reign of Chandra Gupta II.

25. Religious
• Much of art, architecture of Gupta period religious
• Magnificent Hindu, Buddhist temples built across India
• Hindu temples: huge towers, covered with carvings
Most spectacular architecture
• Temples, monuments carved out of rock and cliff faces
• Most famous, cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora
• Intricately carved columns; include halls, rooms, windows
Buddhist temples
• Included stupas, temples with domed roofs
• Built to house sacred items from life of Buddha
• Like Hindu temples, covered with detailed carvings
Art and Architecture

26. Gupta
Art
Greatly influenced
Southeast Asian art & architecture.

27. Gupta Architecture: the Stupa
• Originally the Buddha’s
burial mound. Function
was remembrance →
simple clay mound
• Gradually becomes site
of worship → more
elaborate form, with
spires, gates, walkways
and sculpture
• Guptas renovate and
elaborate upon stupas
from Ashoka’s age.

28. •

29. Parts of a Stupa

30. Hindu Temples
• Imagined as houses. Resident and owner is deity.
Priests are live-in servants.
• Sculptures adorning temples often tell stories about the
deity “inside”
• Murtis : images of a deity, meant to inspire reverence.

31. Entrance
(shrine)
(entry hall)
Dance pavilion
(offering hall)

32. The Dasavatar Temple (late Gupta period, 500's)
Gupta Religion and Art: Hindu Temples

33. A closer view of the entry-way

34. Buddhist and Hindu Temples during the
Mauryan and Gupta Periods
Hindu Temples
• During the Mauryan
period, temples were
small, stone structures
with one or two rooms
and flat roofs.
• During the Gupta
period, the temples
were more complex,
with huge towers and
intricate carvings.
Buddhist Temples
• Some Buddhists carved
entire temples out of
mountainsides.
• The temples at Ajanta
and Ellora are two of
the most famous of this
type of Buddhist
temple.
• Another type of
Buddhist temple was
the stupa.

35. Great works of art
• Paintings of the time often portray beautiful, graceful Indians wearing fine
jewelry, stylish clothing
• Many of finest paintings found in Buddhist and Hindu temples
Statues
• Made for temples
• Buddhist temples, statues of Buddha, kings
• Hindu temples, statues of Siva, Vishnu, other devas
Temple paintings
• Hindu artists decorated walls, entrances with devas, aspects of Brahman
• Buddhists covered plaster walls, ceilings with scenes from life of Buddha
• Some of finest examples of Buddhist art found in Ajanta cave temples
Art and Architecture

36. Mathematics
Medicine
Astronomy
Metalworking
Pioneers of metallurgy, the Indians created
tools and weapons by mixing iron and other
metals together.
The Indians invented the concept of zero and
developed a sophisticated number system,
the Hindu-Arabic numerals.
Using plants and minerals, Indian doctors
made advances in medicinal science. They
were among the first to practice inoculation
and perform surgery.
Indian astronomers knew of seven about the
nine planets in the solar system and could
predict eclipses of the sun and moon.
Scientific Advances

37. Medicine Literature
Mathematics
Astronomy
Printed
medicinal guides
1000 diseases
classified
Plastic
Surgery
C-sections
performed
Inoculations
500 healing
plants identified
Decimal
System
Concept
of Zero
PI = 3.1416
Kalidasa
Solar
Calendar
The earth
is round
Gupta
India
Gupta
Achievements

38. International Trade Routes
during the Guptas

39. Extensive Trade:
4c
spices
gold & ivory

40. The Golden Age of the Guptas
▪ The Golden Age of the Gupta:
▪ Why and to what extent does the Gupta Empire
represent a “Golden Age”?

41. The Gupta Empire is often described
as a Golden Age for India.
We will explore why and challenge
you to use evidence to analyze how it
was a Golden Age and to what extent
(how much) it was “golden” for
everyone in India.

43. The Decline of the Guptas
▪ Invasion of the White Huns in the 4c signaled
the end of the Gupta Golden Age, even though
at first, the Guptas defeated them.
▪ After the decline of the Gupta empire, north
India broke into a number of separate Hindu
kingdoms and was not really unified again until
the coming of the Muslims in the 7c.
QUESTION:
Is the best literature and art written as
the civilization is on the rise, at its
height, or in its decline?