An Age of Tireless Creativity

Overview

The Gupta Empire is often called the Golden Age of India because of its great achievements in art, science, literature and learning. Ruling much of northern India, the Guptas brought peace and prosperity that allowed creativity to flourish in many fields.

Key points

• Chandragupta I founded the Gupta Empire around 320 CE.
• Samudragupta was a great conqueror; Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) made the empire prosperous.
• Aryabhata studied astronomy and mathematics; the concept of zero was developed.
• Kalidasa wrote great Sanskrit works like Abhijnanashakuntalam.
• Beautiful temples, the Ajanta paintings and fine sculptures belong to this age.

Important terms / dates

• Golden Age - a period of great achievement.
• Vikramaditya - title of Chandragupta II.
• Aryabhata - great mathematician and astronomer.
• 320 CE - rise of the Gupta Empire.

Important questions

1. Why is the Gupta age called the Golden Age?
2. Who was Aryabhata and what did he discover?
3. Name two achievements in art or literature of the Gupta period.
4. Who was Vikramaditya?

Quick revision

The Gupta Empire, founded around 320 CE, is the Golden Age of India. Rulers like Samudragupta and Chandragupta II brought peace, while scholars such as Aryabhata and Kalidasa made lasting contributions to science, mathematics and literature.