The Golden Age of Indian Culture - The Age of the Guptas Subject: History Civics Name: Ashlesha Chipde Class:9A Roll No.:2 Academic Year:2021-2022
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my History and Civics teacher Mrs.Pratima Ghoshal for her valuable guidance and support in completing my project. I extend my gratitude to Principal Sir Mr.Vijay Mirgal for providing me with all the facilities that were required. I would also like to thank my parents and brother for helping me in finalising the project within the limited time frame. I have made this project not only for marks but also to gain knowledge.
Sr No. Topic Slide No. 1 Introduction 5 2 Gupta Dynasty 7,8 3 Education 9 4 Science 11 5 Mathematics & Astronomy 13 6 Medicine 15 7 Art 17 8 Architecture 19 9 Literature 21 10 Bibliography 22
GUPTA EMPIRE
The Gupta Empire founded by Sri Gupta was an ancient Indian realm that extended for a period of about two centuries from early 4 th century CE to 6th century CE. From approximately 320 CE to 550 CE the Gupta Empire covered much of the Indian subcontinent by territorial expansion through conquest or political alliances. The Imperial Age of the Guptas was a period of peace, prosperity, and good governance. Along with the revival of Hinduism, the Gupta Period saw great advancement in education, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, art, architecture and literature. Hence the Age of the Guptas is described as the Golden Age of Indian Culture because of the high level of civilisation and culture of this period.
GUPTA DYNASTY
GUPTA DYNASTY The first independent king to adopt title Maharajadhiraja. Started the Gupta Era. Samudragupta (336-375 CE) Great conqueror, able statesman and patron of arts. Known as ‘Napoleon of India’. Allahabad Pillar inscription or Prayag Prashasti composed by court poet Harisena throws light on his reign. Performed Ashvamedha Yajna. Great musician and poet. He was given title of Kavi Raja. Depicted in coins playing Veena. Issued eight types of coins made of gold.
Chandragupta II Vikramaditya (375-415 CE) Kumargupta (415-455 CE) Founded Nalanda University. Was also called ‘Shakraditya’. Skandgupta (455-467 CE) Last great Gupta ruler. Repelled Huna invasion. Defeated Sakas and annexed Malwa . Given title of ‘Sakari’. Used matrimonial alliances to extend power. His court was adorned by ‘nine gems’ like Kalidasa, Varahamihir. Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien visited India during his reign. GUPTA DYNASTY
During the Gupta Age education was given utmost importance. There was intellectual output in various subjects like literature, science mathematics, astronomy, medicine etc. Higher education was imparted in universities like Nalanda, Takshila. Universities attracted students from India and abroad. Nalanda University Most renowned institution of ancient India. Was established by Kumargupta I. The four Vedas, logic, grammar, medicine, yoga etc were taught. It had more than 10,000 students and teachers.
SCIENCE
The Gupta period saw great progress in various branches of science like astronomy, metallurgy and medicine. One of the greatest mathematicians and astronomers of this period was Aryabhatta. He calculated the value of pie (π) and said that the Earth revolves around the Sun. ‘Aryabhatiyam’ and ‘Surya Siddhanta’ are his famous works. Varahamihir was a great astronomer. His work ‘Brihat Samhita’ deals with astronomy, botany, natural history and physical geography. Brahmagupta, a mathematician and astronomer wrote ‘Brahmasphutasiddhanta’. Metallurgy had reached an advanced stage during Gupta period. This is evident from the Iron Pillar at Mehrauli near Qutub Minar in Delhi, which has not rusted till today. The Gupta coins indicate excellence of metal casting. Shushrut and Charaka were famous scholars of Ayurveda.
MATHEMATICS & ASTRONOMY
The Gupta period saw new developments and inventions in mathematics and astronomy. The chief exponents were Aryabhatta, Brahmagupta and Varahamihir. Aryabhatta Discovered rule for finding the area of triangle. Solution of single variable quadratic equation. Explained causes of lunar and solar eclipse. Calculated length of sidereal year and diameter of Earth. Brahmagupta Described the law of gravitation several centuries before Newton. Was the first to give rules to compute with zero. Varahamihir Proposed that planets are lustrous due to sunlight. Improved Sine tables created by Aryabhatta.
MEDICINE
There was great advancement and new developments in the field of medicine during the Gupta Period. Shushrut and Charaka were famous scholars of Ayurveda. Charaka Samhita, Shushrut Samhita, Astanga Hridaya are three major classics that compile ancient Indian medical sciences. Shushrut ‘Father of Indian Surgery’ and ‘Father of Plastic Surgery’. Invented and developed surgical procedures. Shushrut Samhita is one of the most important surviving ancient treatise on medicine and surgery and is considered a foundational text of Ayurveda. Charaka Charaka Samhita is a comprehensive text on ancient Indian medicine credited to Charaka who was a practitioner of the traditional system of Indian medicine, Ayurveda.
ART
Paintings Cave paintings at Ajanta and Bagh depict the glorious art of the Gupta period. Subject matter of the paintings were scenes from Jatakas tales. Wall painting of the great Bodhisatva in Cave 1 at Ajanta is a good example of Gupta art. Sculpture Sculpture during Gupta period had become Indian and was free from foreign influence. Sculptures where known for their balance, proportion, graceful ornamentation, charm and dignity. Statues were made of metal, stone and burnt clay. Standing Buddha from Mathura and seated Buddha from Sarnath are greatest masterpieces of this period.
ARCHITECTURE
The Gupta Age saw temple architecture evolving from rock cut shrines to temples built of bricks and stones. The temples were dedicated to Hindu Gods and adorned with towers and elaborate carvings. The rock cut shrine of Vishnu in his Varaha avatar at Udayagiri Caves, Madhya Pradesh is a fine example of Gupta cave shrine. Temples at Deogarh, Sanchi and Bhitargaon are few surviving examples of temples of Gupta period. Vishnu Temple, Deogarh (Dashavatara Temple) First North Indian temple with a shikhara or tower. Built of red stone on a 1.5m high square platform with flight of steps in the middle of all four sides. Exterior is decorated with scenes from Ramayana. Main doorway richly carved and decorated. Vishnu Anantasayana panel - one of the famous structural panels.
LITERATURE
The Gupta Age marked the revival of Sanskrit. It became the court language and was used in inscriptions, coins and official documents. The classical Sanskrit literature consisted of epics, poetry, drama, lyrics and prose. Panchatantra, the famous collection of stories was written during the Gupta period. Kalidasa, Sudraka, Bhasa, Harisena, Dandin, Subandhu and Bharavi were noted writers. Kalidasa Greatest poet and playwright India has ever produced. Abhijnanashakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram and Vikramorvashiyam are his three dramatic works. Meghaduta, Ritusamhara are lyrical poems. Raghuvamsa, Kumarasambhava are epic poems. His works throw a lot of light on the political, social, economic and cultural life of Gupta period.
ICSE Grade 9 Total History & Civics - Dolly E. Sequeira The Classical Age – R. C. Mazumdar History of India – Kaeley and Bhandari https://en.wikipedia.org www.britannica.com www.toppr.com www.worldhistroy.org www.gktoday.in