1. Gupta Empire

2. Gupta Empire
After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, India remained primarily Buddhist for 500 years.
Under the rule of Candra 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.

3. Gupta Empire
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

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

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

6. Leaders claimed that gods wanted them to rule
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
CHANDRA GUPTA
Prince
Created a golden age of Indian culture shown in the flowering of Hindu and Buddhist arts under Chandra Gupta II
Actively engaged in trade with China, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean
Much of the trade was managed by the rulers
Rulers earned large profits and lived in luxury
POWER OF RULERS
Legitimacy from the gods
Stationed a personal representative at each conquered ruler’s court to ensure loyalty (let conquered kings maintain control of their kingdom)
GOVERNMENT SERVICE PROJECTS
Built roads
PATRONS
Encouraged university life, art, and literature
WEAKNESSES
Political culture was not elaborate
There was little political theory and few institutions and values that endured (other than regionalism)
Local units of government (villages) were much more important than the empire
Caste system became more strict and broke from 5 castes into 300 jati (or livings) which also have subcastes
You could actually move down in castes if you married someone below your caste or took work below your caste
INDIA HAD THE MOST RIGID SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF ANY CLASSICAL CIVILIZATION
India avoided slavery because they had the untouchables
There was no extensive bureaucracy
No single language was imposed, although the Guptas promoted Sanskrit
535 CE – Huns invade India and overthrow the Gupta empire

7. The Gupta Empire is Established
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

8. The Gupta Empire
India remained divided into small kingdoms for about 400 years. Then around AD 320, the Gupta dynasty took over northern India. Under the Gupta, northern India was reunited, Indian society prospered, and the religion of Hinduism grew in popularity.
Like Mauryan, Gupta dynasty rose to power in region of Magadha
Founder was Chandra Gupta I
From base in Magadha, Chandra conquered neighboring lands, brought much of northern India under Gupta control
Rise of Gupta Empire
Gupta rule less centralized
Divided main part of empire into units
Royal officials governed each unit
Governed through local rulers in distant conquered areas
Local rulers had to pay tribute
India under Gupta Rule
Gupta power expanded under the heirs of Chandra Gupta I, and the empire reached its height under Chandra Gupta II.

9. The Gupta Empire is Established
Daily Life in India
Majority of Indians are farmers; entire family raises crops together
Families are patriarchal—headed by the eldest male
Farmers have to contribute work to government and pay heavy taxes
Some Tamil families are matriarchal—led by mother rather than father

10. Daily Life in India
1. lived in small villages
2. majority of the people were farmers
3. northern India were families patriarchal
4. droughts, irrigation, taxes on water, and crops
5. southern India--- matriarchal

11. Fa-Hsien: Life in Gupta India
Chinese Buddhist monk traveled along the Silk Road and visited India in the 5c.
He was following the path of the Buddha.
He reported the people to be happy, relatively free of government oppression, and inclined towards courtesy and charity. Other references in the journal, however, indicate that the caste system was rapidly assuming its basic features, including "untouchability," the social isolation of a lowest class that is doomed to menial labor.

12. Main Idea 2: Gupta rulers promoted Hinduism in their empire.
A New Hindu Empire
The Gupta dynasty took over India around AD 320.
Under the Guptas, India was again united and it prospered.
Hinduism became India’s dominant religion. However, the Gupta rulers also supported the religious beliefs of Buddhism and Jainism.
Gupta Society
Gupta society reached its high point around 375, during the rule of Candra Gupta II.
The empire had a strong economy, its people prospered, and fine works of art and literature were created.
The Gupta kings believed in the strict social order of the Hindu caste system and women’s roles were limited.

13. The Gupta Empire Chandra Gupta II, ruled from AD 375 to 415
Further expanded empire, strengthened economy
Reign was period of prosperity, cultural achievement
Chinese Buddhist monk, Faxian, traveled to India
Described empire as rich, prosperous, and punishments fair

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

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

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

17. Chandragupta maintained order through a well-organized bureaucracy
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.

18. Chandragupta’s rule was effective but harsh
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.

19. The Gupta Empire is Established
Height of the Gupta Empire
Chandra Gupta II rules from A.D
He defeats the Shakas and adds western coast to empire
Gupta Empire sees flourishing of arts, religion, and science
After Chandra Gupta II dies, the empire declines

20. BRAHMANICAL RENAISSANCE
The Guptas who ruled in northern India from third century onwards were ardent followers of Vedic religion and rituals.
Does it mean that only the Vedic gods were reified in this period?
OR ASCENDENCE OF SHRAMANIC TRADITIONS
The best Buddhist and Jaina art was produced during this time

21. 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.

22. Buddhist and Hindu Temples during the Mauryan and Gupta Periods
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.

23. 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.

24. Main Idea 2: Sanskrit literature flourished during the Gupta period.
Religious Epics
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.
Other Works
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.

25. A Gupta Golden Age Sanskrit Literature Panchatantra
Like the Han period in China, the Gupta period was a golden age of cultural and scientific achievements.
Many great works created during Gupta period
One of greatest writers, Kalidasa
Poet, playwright
Wrote plays for royal court
Sakuntala, most famous
Play combines myth, humor, court life, lyric poetry
Sanskrit Literature
Another popular work of period
Five Books, collection of stories meant to teach lessons
“The good and bad of given schemes
Wise thought must first reveal
The stupid heron saw his chicks
Provide a mongoose meal.”
Warning to think before acting
Panchatantra

26. Achievements of Indian Culture
Literature and the Performing Arts
Kalidasa—poet and dramatist, one of India’s greatest writers
His skillful and emotionally stirring plays are still popular
Madurai writing accademies create literature; 2,000 Tamil poems survive
Drama and dance troupes gain popularity and travel widely

27. Religious Art: Temples
Both Hindu and Buddhist temples began flourishing under Gupta rule.
Once simply constructed meeting places, Hindu temples became complex towers covered with intricate carvings.
Buddhist temples were large and impressive, some carved out of mountainsides.
Buddhist stupas were built to house sacred objects from the life of the Buddha. They were covered with detailed carvings.

28. Sanskrit Literature Mahabharata
One of the world’s longest literary works
The story of two Indian families struggling for control of a kingdom
Many long passages of Hindu beliefs and practices
Ramayana
The story of a god, Vishnu, who has taken human form
Written long after the Mahabharata; contains models for the ideal ruler (Rama) and the ideal mate (Sita)

29. Sanskrit Literature Other Works
Chadra Gupta II hired a famous writer named Kalidasa to write plays for the royal court.
The Panchatantra, a book of stories intended to teach moral lessons and quick thinking, was translated into many languages.

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

31. Bhartrhari 5c India court poet and philosopher.
Knowledge is man's crowning mark, A treasure secretly buried, The source of luxury, fame, and bliss, A guru most venerable, A friend on foreign journeys, The pinnacle of divinity. Knowledge is valued by kings beyond wealth--- When he lacks it, a man is a brute.

32. Art and Architecture Religious Buddhist temples
Much of art, architecture of Gupta period religious
Magnificent Hindu, Buddhist temples built across India
Hindu temples: huge towers, covered with carvings
Buddhist temples
Included stupas, temples with domed roofs
Built to house sacred items from life of Buddha
Like Hindu temples, covered with detailed 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

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

34. Art and Architecture Great works of art Temple paintings Statues
Paintings of the time often portray beautiful, graceful Indians wearing fine jewelry, stylish clothing
Many of finest paintings found in Buddhist and Hindu temples
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
Statues
Made for temples
Buddhist temples, statues of Buddha, kings
Hindu temples, statues of Siva, Vishnu, other devas

35. Religious Art: Paintings and Sculpture
Great artists were commissioned by rich and powerful members of society.
Paintings offered a perspective on the daily life and religious belief of the ancient Indians; many of these paintings could be found on the walls of temples.
Indian sculptors carved columns, statues, and entire temples in the likenesses of the Buddha and Hindu gods.

36. Main Idea 3: The Indians made scientific advances in metalworking, medicine, and other sciences.
Began writing medical textbooks as early as the AD 100s
Doctors knew about disease prevention and used inoculation.
Doctors could perform surgery.
Interested in astronomy, the study of stars and planets
Metalworking
Pioneers of metallurgy, the science of working with metals
Knew processes for mixing metals to produce alloys, mixtures of two or more metals
Metalworkers made their strongest products out of iron.
Mathematics
The most skilled mathematicians of their day
Hindu-Arabic numerals were created by Indian scholars and brought to Europe by Arabs.
The first people to create the zero

37. Indians developed the concept of negative numbers, calculated square roots and a table of sines, and computed the value of pi to a greater degree of accuracy than the Greeks
Indian steel was better than any produced elsewhere
The Indians were the first to produce cotton cloth, calico, and cashmere

38. Science and Technology
Metallurgy
Ancient Indians pioneers of science of working with metals
Indian iron valued for hardness, purity
Gupta metalworkers built famous Iron Pillar, near Delhi
Iron Pillar is resistant to rust
Still being studied by scholars today
Gupta scholars most advanced mathematicians of their day
Developed modern math system
First to use concept, symbol of zero
Hindu-Arabic numerals; created by Indians, brought to Europe by Arabs
Mathematics
Ancient Indians quite advanced
Made medicines from plants
Knew how to inject small amounts of viruses to protect against disease
Doctors could perform surgery, repair broken bones, treat wounds
Medical Science

39. Science and Technology
Astronomy
Indians identified seven planets in solar system
Could predict eclipses of sun, moon
Aryabhata, one of most famous Indian astronomers
Correctly argued that Earth rotates on axis, revolves around sun
Knew Earth was sphere, calculated circumference with remarkable accuracy

40. Achievements of Indian Culture
Astronomy, Mathematics, and Medicine
Ocean trade leads to advances in astronomy
Indian astronomers in Gupta Empire prove that the world is round.
Mathematicians develop the idea of zero and decimal system
Doctors write medical guides and make advances in surgery

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

42. Contributions
Many advances in science, medicine, astronomy, and mathematics came out of India. This is a depiction of an ancient Indian book that predicts eclipses of the sun and moon.

43. Contributions
India had many advances in medicine. One doctor from Ancient India wrote a book on how he rebuilt noses through plastic surgery. He no doubt needed to do this often since having one’s nose cut off was one of the punishments for committing a crime.

44. Contributions
This is a sample of elaborate mathematical calculations taken from an Indian text around 600 BC. An Indian named Brahmagupta is credited with inventing the idea of “0”(zero). This changed greatly how mathematics could be used.

45. Contributions
Ancient India is also credited with inventing the magnetic compass. Indians sailed the Indian Ocean in boats the were guided by a metal “fish” floating in oil. The fish pointed north, acting as a compass for the boats.

46. CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ANCIENT INDIAN EMPIRE
Literature
Vedas
Ramayana
Bhagavad Gita
Architecture
Used pillars, stupas, and rock chambers for religious purposes
Science and mathematics
Created the number system that we still use today
Charted the movements of the stars
First to use algebra
Introduced the concept of zero and the decimal system
Stupa
VEDAS
Contained religious chants and stories
RAMAYANA
Epic that described the legendary deeds of great warriors
BHAGAVAD GITA
One shouldn’t worry, when making a decision, about success or failure, but should only be concerned about the moral rightness of the act itself
STUPAS
Originally meant to house a relic of the Buddha, like a lock of his hair
Rock chamber was carved out of rock cliffs to provide a series of rooms to house monks and serve as a hall for religious purposes
NUMBER SYSTEM
We say that our number system is Arabic because Europeans imported it secondhand from the Arabs
MATH
Also developed concept of negative numbers, calculated square roots and a table of sines, and computed the value of pi more
accurately than the Greeks

47. 500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides
Gupta Achievements
1000 diseases classified
500 healing plants identified
Printed medicinal guides
Kalidasa
Literature
Plastic Surgery
Medicine
Inoculations
Gupta India
C-sections performed
Solar Calendar
Astronomy
Mathematics
Decimal System
The earth is round
PI =
Concept of Zero

48. International Trade Routes during the Guptas

49. Extensive Trade: 4c spices silks cotton goods rice & wheat spices
horses
gold & ivory
gold & ivory
cotton goods

50. The Spread of Indian Trade
India’s Valuable Resources
India has spices, diamonds, precious stones, and good quality wood

51. Life in Gupta India Growth of Trade Sea Trade
Indian civilization flourished during Gupta empire
Trade increased, economy strengthened, cities prospered
Overland routes like the Silk Roads linked India to other markets
Indian merchants traded ivory, cashmere, cotton, spices for Chinese silk, Roman ceramics
Growth of Trade
Gupta, Tamil kingdoms in southern India traded actively by sea
Indian sailors used seasonal winds to reach foreign markets across Arabian Sea
Sea trade also between India and Southeast Asia
Played key role in cultural diffusion of Indian culture
Sea Trade

52. The Spread of Indian Trade
India’s Valuable Resources
India has spices, diamonds, precious stones, and good quality wood
Overland Trade, East and West
Trade routes called Silk Roads connect Asia and Europe
Indians build trading posts to take advantage of the Silk Roads

53. The Spread of Indian Trade
Sea Trade, East and West
Indian merchants carry goods to Rome by sea
Merchants trade by sea with Africa, Arabia, China, Southeast Asia

54. The Spread of Indian Trade
Effects of Indian Trade
Increased trade leads to rise in banking
Bankers lend money to merchants, careful of degree of risk
Increased trade spreads Indian culture to other places
Trade brings Hinduism, Buddhism to other lands

55. Indian influence
Indian Ocean was the most active linkage point among cultures
India did not attempt political domination
Dealt with regional kingdoms
Indian religion and art traveled widely
Buddhism spread to SE Asia
Hinduism converted upper classes, especially in Indonesia
India serves as an early example of a major civilization expanding its influence well beyond its own regions
Classical period in India lasted longer than in China or Rome
Mediterranean was a close second (in terms of linkage points)
No previous civilization had developed in SE Asia to compete with Indian influence
REGIONAL KINGDOMS THAT INDIA DEALT WITH
Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam
CLASSICAL PERIOD IN INDIA
Lasted longer because of the influence and roots of Hinduism and because of the intellectual life and traditions that the Indians had created

56. The Gupta Empire Support of Hinduism End of Gupta Rule Weakened Empire
Buddhism prospered, spread during period between Mauryan, Gupta empires
Hinduism lost popularity during this period
Under Guptas, Hinduism became main religion
Rulers supported building Hindu temples, promoted revival of writings
Buddhism began to lose influence during this period
Began to weaken, late 400s
Loose Gupta control allowed some parts of empire to break away
Central Asian nomads, White Huns, began invading India
End of Gupta Rule
Problems disrupted trade
Gupta military efforts to defend empire drained treasury
Gupta rule ended, 550
Again India divided into small, regional kingdoms
Weakened Empire

57. 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?