The emergence of new rulers followed the fall of the Mauryas, with various indigenous and foreign rulers dividing North and South India, ruling for nearly five centuries.
The political disintegration of the Kushanas in North India and the Satavahanas in the Deccan in the 3rd century CE led to political fragmentation.
This period saw the rise of several minor powers and new ruling families.
The foundation of the Gupta Empire was laid amidst this political turmoil.
The Guptas achieved the political unification of North India, covering much of the Indian subcontinent.
The Gupta Age is known as the second glorious epoch in ancient India, also called the 'Classical Age' or 'Golden Age' by historians.
The Gupta Empire extended across northern, central, and parts of southern India between 320 and 550 CE.
Sources of information include the travelogues of Fa Hien, Hiuen Tsang, and Yijing, providing invaluable information about the early days of the Gupta dynasty.
Founding and Rulers:
Sri Gupta: Founder of the Gupta Empire, reigned c. 240-280 CE.
Ghatotkacha: Succeeded Sri Gupta, reigned c. 280-319 CE.
Chandragupta I: Son of Ghatotkacha, first independent king of the Gupta dynasty, reigned 320-335 CE.
Samudragupta: Greatest Gupta king, expanded and consolidated the empire, reigned 335-370 CE.
Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya): Peak of territorial expansion, notable military achievements, reigned 375-415 CE.
Kumaragupta I: Maintained control over the inherited territory, reigned 415-455 CE.
Skandagupta: Restored Gupta fortunes, last of the great Gupta emperors, reigned 455-467 CE.
Sanskrit achieved the status of lingua franca, reaching greater heights.
Notable Works:
Kalidasa: Epics like Abhijnanasakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram, Raghuvansha, Kumarsambhava.
Harishena: Allahabad Prasasti.
Sudraka: Mricchakatika.
Vishakhadatta: Mudrarakshasa.
Vishnusharma: Panchatantra.
Varahamihira: Brihatsamhita, contributions to astronomy and astrology.
Aryabhata: Surya Siddhanta, covering geometry, trigonometry, and cosmology.
Shanku: Texts on Geography.
Dhanvantri: Contributions to Ayurveda.
Medicine: Advanced surgical practices and inoculation against contagious diseases; notable figures included Vagbhata, Charaka, and Susruta.
Education: Encouragement of learning in literature, oratory, music, and painting; establishment and support of educational institutions like Nalanda University.
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