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.

Gupta Empire

II. Gupta Empire Chandra Gupta (no relation), oversaw a great

flowering of Indian civilization and Hindu cultureA. Chandra Gupta Builds an Empire

1. power base along the Ganges2. “Great King of Kings” in 320ad3. son, Samudra Gupta took over in

335ad4. Samudra Gupta was warlike, ruled for

40 years

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.

Time Line

Gupta RulersGupta RulersGupta RulersGupta Rulers Chandra GuptaChandra Gupta II

r. 320 – 335 CEr. 320 – 335 CE

“ “Great King of Kings”Great King of Kings”

Chandra Gupta IIChandra Gupta II r. 375 - 415 CEr. 375 - 415 CE

Profitable trade withProfitable trade with the Mediterranean the Mediterranean world! world!

Hindu revival.Hindu revival.

Huns invade – 450 Huns invade – 450 CECE

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

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

Gupta power expanded under the heirs of Chandra Gupta I, and the empire reached its height under Chandra Gupta II.

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

The 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

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

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

Fa-Hsien: Life in Gupta IndiaFa-Hsien: Life in Gupta IndiaFa-Hsien: Life in Gupta IndiaFa-Hsien: Life in Gupta India

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

He was following the pathHe was following the path of the Buddha. of the Buddha.

He reported the people to He reported the people to be happy, relatively free of be happy, relatively free of government oppression, and government oppression, and inclined towards courtesy and inclined towards courtesy and charity. Other references in charity. Other references in the journal, however, indicate the journal, however, indicate that the caste system was that the caste system was rapidly assuming its basic features, rapidly assuming its basic features, includingincluding "untouchability," the social isolation of a "untouchability," the social isolation of a lowestlowest class that is doomed to menial labor. class that is doomed to menial labor.

A New Hindu Empire

Gupta Society

• 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 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.

Main Idea 2:Gupta rulers promoted Hinduism in their empire.

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

Economy and Culture

The Caste System

Social Ramifications

GrowthUnder 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

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

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)

1717

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

1818

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

The Gupta Empire is Established

Height of the Gupta Empire– Chandra Gupta II rules from A.D. 375-415– 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

A Gupta Golden Age

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

• 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.

Religious Art: Temples

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)

Sanskrit Literature

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.

Sanskrit Literature

Other Works

KalidasaKalidasaKalidasaKalidasa

The greatest of Indian poets.The greatest of Indian poets.

His most famous play was His most famous play was ShakuntalaShakuntala..

During the reign of Chandra Gupta II. During the reign of Chandra Gupta II.

BhartrhariBhartrhariBhartrhariBhartrhari 5c India court poet and philosopher.5c India court poet and philosopher.

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

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

GuptGuptaa

ArtArt

GuptGuptaa

ArtArt

Greatly influenced Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & Southeast Asian art &

architecture.architecture.

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

• 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.

Religious Art: Paintings and Sculpture

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

Main Idea 3: The Indians made scientific advances in metalworking, medicine, and other sciences.

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

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

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

Science and Technology

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

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

Mathematics

Medicine

Astronomy

MetalworkingPioneers 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

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.

ContributionsIndia 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.

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.

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.

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

MedicineMedicineMedicineMedicine LiteratureLiteratureLiteratureLiterature

MathematicsMathematicsMathematicsMathematicsAstronomyAstronomyAstronomyAstronomy

PrintedPrintedmedicinal medicinal

guidesguides

1000 1000 diseasesdiseasesclassifiedclassified

PlasticPlasticSurgerySurgery

C-sectionsC-sectionsperformeperforme

dd

InoculatioInoculationsns

500 healing500 healingplants plants

identifiedidentified

DecimalDecimalSystemSystem

ConceptConceptof Zeroof Zero

PI = 3.1416PI = 3.1416

KalidasKalidasaa

SolarSolarCalendarCalendar

The The earthearth

is roundis round

GuptaGuptaIndiaIndia

Gupta Gupta AchievemeAchieveme

ntsnts

Gupta Gupta AchievemeAchieveme

ntsnts

International Trade International Trade Routes during the Routes during the

GuptasGuptas

International Trade International Trade Routes during the Routes during the

GuptasGuptas

Extensive Trade:Extensive Trade:4c4c

Extensive Trade:Extensive Trade:4c4c

spices

spices

spicesspices

gold & gold &

ivoryivory

gold & gold & ivoryivory

rice & rice & wheatwheathorseshorses

cotton goods

cotton goods

cotton goods

cotton goodssilkssilks

The Spread of Indian Trade

India’s Valuable Resources– India has spices, diamonds, precious stones, and

good quality wood

• 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

• 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

Life in Gupta India

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

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

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

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

Support of Hinduism• 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

The Gupta Empire

The Decline of the The Decline of the GuptasGuptas

The Decline of the The Decline of the GuptasGuptas

Invasion of the White Huns in the 4c Invasion of the White Huns in the 4c signaledsignaled the end of the Gupta Golden Age, even the end of the Gupta Golden Age, even thoughthough at first, the Guptas defeated them. at first, the Guptas defeated them.

After the decline of the Gupta empire, After the decline of the Gupta empire, northnorth India broke into a number of separate India broke into a number of separate HinduHindu kingdoms and was not really unified again kingdoms and was not really unified again untiluntil the coming of the Muslims in the 7c. the coming of the Muslims in the 7c.

QUESTIONQUESTION:: Is the best literature and art written as Is the best literature and art written as the civilization is on the rise, at its the civilization is on the rise, at its height, or in its decline? height, or in its decline?