Gupta Empire 320 CE 600 CE Gupta Rulers

Gupta Empire: 320 CE – 600 CE

Gupta Rulers § Chandra Gupta I v r. 320 – 335 CE v “Great King of Kings” § Chandra Gupta II v r. 375 - 415 CE v Profitable trade with the Mediterranean world!

Life in Gupta India § Chinese Buddhist monk traveled along the Silk Road and visited India in the 5 c. § 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.

Chandra Gupta 11

Life for Gupta Women • Decline in status • Loss of Rights, increased Male control. Must obey her father, husbands, sons Married as young as 7 or 8 Sati Ritual- Women cremate themselves over husbands body! Escaped by converting to Buddhism or Jainism

Sati Ritual

The Gupta Empire • E. Q. Why could the Gupta Empire be considered a Golden Age in the History of India?

Gupta Empire • Religious tolerance of Buddhism and Hinduism. • Emergence of many Hindu Temples • People lived in relative peace. • Advancements in the Arts and Sciences • Extensive trade routes linked the Gupta’s to the rest of the world.

Extensive Trade: 4 c sp ice s rice & wheat horses ory v i & gold ods o g on cott s silk ds o o g on cottspices gold & ivory

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

Gupta Art Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture.

1000 diseases classified 500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Plastic Surgery Gupta Achievements Kalidasa Literature Medicine Inoculations Gupta India C-sections performed Decimal System Mathematics Concept of Zero PI = 3. 1416 Solar Calendar Astronomy The earth is round

The Decline of the Guptas §Invasion of the Huns signaled the end of the Gupta Golden Age.

Bhartrhari § 5 c 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. What is the message of this poem?

Comparison of 2 Golden Ages • Compare the Gupta Golden Age to the Golden Age of the Tang & Song in China. • Create a Venn Diagram comparing these two Golden Age’s • Task: 5 similarities/ 3 differences.