1. The Gupta Dynasty of India

2. Geographic Setting
Like the Maurya, the Gupta arose in the north, spread southward and united the empire. They benefitted from the protection of the mountains and the fertile soil provided by the Indus and the Ganges.

3. The Influence of Hinduism
The rules and rituals of Hinduism governed everyday life.
The Gupta Dynasty adopted and actively promoted Hinduism, much like the Chinese dynasties promoted Confucian philosophy.

4. Gupta Government Central Government Local Government Role of Women
Efficiently run so as to allow for advances in farming, trade, education, and the arts
Local Government
Elected by villagers and bestowed with power from the central government, respected community members served on elected councils that made decisions for the village.
Role of Women
Although women had been allowed to serve on councils in the early years of the Gupta, overtime, restrictions were placed on these rights of women and they eventually lost the right to serve on these coumcils.

5. Hinduism and Gupta Society
The Caste System
People believed they were born into a caste, based on karma, and that caste could not be changed in one lifetime, but by following dharma, your caste could improve in the next life.
Organization of Village Life
Paid their taxes and basically governed themselves according to caste rules and dharma.
Organization of Family Life
Patriarchal Society
Parents were expected to arrange the marriages of their children to someone of the same caste
The lives of women became more restricted under the Gupta, especially for upper- class women who had to spend most of their time at home, and cover themselves from head to toe if they left the house.

7. Scientific and Artistic Contributions
Advances were made in all of the following areas
Mathematics
Medicine
Architecture
Literature
= GOLDEN AGE

8. Mathematics Concept of Zero The Decimal System Arabic Numerals
Created the game of Chess

9. Medicine
Herbal Remedies
Plastic Surgery
Smallpox vaccine

10. Architecture
Hindu temples were usually designed as a square (Earth) within a circle (Eternity).
Buddhist architects built stupas, dome shaped shrines that contained the remains of holy people.

11. Hindu Temple

13. Stupa

14. Literature
Fables and folk tales in Sanskrit were carried to Persia, Egypt, and Greece, and became the basis for many Islamic literary works such as, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Aladdin and his Magic Lamp.
Kalidasa, “The Indian Shakespeare”, wrote Shakuntala

15. End of Gupta Rule
Weak rulers could not fight off the invading White Huns.