Published : April 08, 2018
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Golden Ages of Guptas
The Guptas ruled North India from the Third to the Sixty Century A.D. The rule of the Guptas is called as Golden Age, because of the following factors.
1. The rule of the Guptas which lasted for a period of 3 Centuries, provided north India, a semblance of political renity & stability. The Guptas ruled the whole of north India. The frontier kings in the east & west & the kings of south & even the district king of Ceylon acknowledged the political supremarcy of the Guptas.
2. The Gupta Age is called as a period of Hindu Renaissance or as an Era of Brahminical Revival. The Gupta kings were the followers of Vaisnavism. The Ashwamedhayaga was revived. The worship of Vishnu, Shiva & Durga became popular. The concept of Dasavatra or the ten incarnations of Vishnu is attributed to this period. The vehicles of gods & their female counterparts evolved during this period. Epics Ramayana & Mahabharata were given final shape during this period.
3. Though followers of Hinduism, the Guptas followed a policy of religious toleration. Other religionists were appointed to high offices. Buddhism in fact was patronized by the Guptas. Stupas, Buddhist Monastries & Statues of Buddha were contributed.
4. Under the Guptas Arts received outstanding contribution. Paintings of the Guptas are found in Ajanta Caves, mostly depicting the life of the Buddha. Bagh Caves near Indore, Sittanavasal in Tamil Nadu & Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, also contain Gupta paintings.
Statue of Buddha at Nalanda, the seated Buddha of Sarnath, Copper Statue of Buddha in Sultanganj & the standing Buddha of Mathura are splendid.
5. It is believed temple architecture in north India began under the Guptas. Mention can be made of the Vishnu temple at Tigawa near Jubbalpore, Shiva temple at Bhumara, the Dasavatara temple at Deogarh are spectacular Buddhist shrines at Sanchi & Bodhgaya can be mentioned. Stupas of the period are found at Nalanda, Sarnath & at Mirpurkhas.
6. Sanskrit literature under the Guptas flourished. The Allahabad prashasti written by Harisena is in Chaste Sanskrit. The greatest literary figure is Kalidasa, the author, of Shakuntalam, Meghadootam, Raghuvamsha, Kumarasambhava, etc. He was one of the Navaratnas in the court of Chandragupta II vikramaditya. Among the other writers reference can be made of Vishakadatta the author of Mudrakshasa Sudraka the author of Mrichakatika & Bharavi the author of Kiratarjuneya
7. Science received a fillip under the Guptas. The greatest scientist & mathematician of India, Aryabhatta belonged to this period. He wrote Surya Siddhanta, Dasagitika & Aryabhattiya Varahamihra a scientist wrote Brihat Samhita. Brahmagupta also a scientist wrote Brahmaputa Siddhanta. He anticipated Newton’s Theory of Gravitation.
The Guptas had the knowledge of metallurgy. The Mehrauli iron pillar near Delhi, which is unrusted to this day substantiates this fact.
8. Under the Guptas India experienced economic prospertiy. The poets of Broach & Sopara carried on trade & commerce with the countries of West Asia, North Africa, Greece & Rome. The port of Tamralipti in Bengal carried on trade & commerce with the far-east. Spices, Cotton textile, Pearls, etc. were the exports, while gold & silver bullion were the chief imports. Economic prosperity made the Guptas issue gold coins.
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