GUPTA DYNASTY 300 550 A.D.

Timeline of History
Vedic Civilization : 5000 B.C. Indus & Saraswati Civilizations : 2500 - 1000 B.C. Birth of Jainism and Buddhism 563 - 400 B.C. Golden Age of Indian Unity & Govt : Mauryan Dynasty : 325 - 175 B.C. Golden Age of Indian Arts & Sciences : Gupta Dynasty : 300 - 650 A.D. Regional Kingdoms and Muslim Invasions : 700 1200 A.D.

The Mughal Empire : 1300 - 1700 A.D.

The British East-India Company : 1600 A.D. The British Empire : 1700 - 1900 A.D. India's Freedom Struggle : 1857 - 1947

Independence : 1947
Modern India 2020 Vision : 20th and 21st Century

Golden Age of Arts and Culture

SUMMARY Emperors: Samudragupta , Chandragupta II, and Harshavardhan Kalidasa who composed Shakuntala was during this era. Ajanta and Ellora cavtemples were erected. Gold coins were minted es and lots of temples were built. Sarnath and Mathura during this time. Harsha was supporter of Buddhism and Hinduism. Nalanda University and Banaras University were setup during this time

Hierarchy of Rulers
Chandragupta I (320 335 A.D.) Samudra Gupta (335 375 A.D.)

Kumar Gupta (415 445 A.D.)

ChandraGupta II Vikramaditya (375 415 A.D.)

Harsha Vardhana (606 647A.D.)

Chandragupta I
Chandragupta was a chieftain who married

Kumaradevi and inherited a small kingdom. Eventually he expanded to become the King of Magadha. His kingdom was limited to that region.

Samudragupta

Son of Chandragupta I. Crowned Samudragupta to be

the King for his abilities even though he was not the eldest. He was very adventurous and led his army across the 4800 km span of India and conquered kingdoms along the way. Performed Ashawamedha Yagna (Horse Sacrifice) and proclaimed himself Emperor. Very talented in musical instrument of Veena. Study of art, literature, and science flourished. Buddhist monastry at Bodh Gaya was built.

Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
He extended his rule in every direction but South. He added the title to

his name: Vikramaditya (Son of Power). Hindus still call Vikram Samvat: i.e. beginning of the year of his kingdom. All his achievements are inscribed on famous iron pillar in Delhi which remain clear even today. Established direct trade with Egypt and other western countries. Yagnavalka rishi, Kalidasa lived during this time. Paintings in Ajanta and Ellora caves are from this era. Fa Hien, the Chinese pilgirm spent 11 years during this time studying Sanskrit and wrote about prosperity.

Kumargupta I
Further expanded the kingdom and performed

Ashwamedh Yagna. No other exceptional achievements are noted during this time.

Harsha Vardhana
Harsha Vardhana became King of Thanesar, north of

Delhi in 606 A.D. He was only 16 when he ascended the throne, but eventually ruled most of North India from Kathiawar to Bengal for 41 years. Defeated Hun invaders. Hiuen Tsan, the famous Chinese traveler has recorded his achievements from 630 to 640 A.D. Nalanda and Banaras University were the most flourishing schools of learning during his time. He was a supporter of Hinduism and Buddhism. After his death Buddhism lost vitality in India.

Kalidasa
Great poet and Dramatist. Considered the chief of the nine gems of Vikramadityas court. Famous drama Shakuntala and Meghdoot. The name Bharat came from the classic Shakuntala.

Administration
As efficient as Mauryan empire. Huge military and spy network supported the Emperors.

Trade
Commerce as well as works of art flourished in the Gupta Era. Sea borne trade from Bengal to Ceylon and China was prevalent. South Vietnam was a Hindu kingdom name Fu-Nan. India also had trade relations with Rome. State owned all the salt and mines and operated industrial enterprises

like royal mint, munitions factory, gold and silver workshops, and weaving and spinning mills.

Golden Age of Culture and Arts

Royal support gave funding to build Hindu temples

dedicated to worship of Gods like Siva, Visnu, and Divine Mother Durga. This period is noted for the development of cave art and sculpture. Ajantas cave paintings and sculptures of human figures are historic mementoes of the peoples life during the Gupta period. Science, Mathematics, Painting, Sculpture and Music reached the climax of development.

Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta caves are located 65 miles NE of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. They are 30 in number and were originally were carved in 3rd century BC under Buddhist sway. Under Gupta empire they were expanded. The last

of the caves was built in seventh century. The caves are rock-cut temples with frescoes built by Buddhist monks. All the caves have Buddhist theme. The caves are of two types: chaityas or temples, and viharas or monasteries.

Ajanta Caves
They were discovered in 1819 by British Military

officers during their maneuvers. The older ones (200 BC)are built by followers of 'lesser vehicle' or Hinayana Buddhism (no direct depiction of Buddha but symbolically represent using stupas, footprints, trees and elephants). The newer ones after 100AD are followers of greater vehicle or Mahayana Buddhism which have larger-than-life depiction of Buddha. Most famous caves are #1, 16, 17, 19.

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Cave #1: Last one completed around 5th century AD. Best

example of Vihara architecture with an ornate facade, carved columns, an impressive front hall divided by sculpted pillars and a large image of the Buddha. Cave #16: has some of Ajanta's best painting and offers the best view of the whole area. It is also possible that this was the principal entrance to the whole temple complex. Cave #17: has the absolute finest in terms of condition, quantity and quality. Cave #19: has been called "the sculptor's treasure chest" especially by virtue of the profusion of exquisite carvings on the facade

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The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face

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The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face

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The Ajanta Caves Walkway

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Transportation

Walkway

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Cave 1

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Cave #1: Paintings inside the cave

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Cave #4: Entrance

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Cave #7: Buddha

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Cave #7: Sculpture

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Cave#7: Miracles of Saraswati

Cave#10: Pillar and Wall

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Cave#9: Entrance

Cave#10: Stupa

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Cave # 12: Buddha Statue

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Cave#11: Buddha

Cave#16: Buddha

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Cave #13: Monks bed chambers

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Cave #17 Entrance

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Cave#19: Entrance

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Cave#19: The famous horseshoe shaped window

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Cave#19: Exterior Sculpture

Cave#19: Stupa

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Cave#19: Pillar carvings and Sculpture

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Cave #20: Inside View

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Cave #26: Sculpture

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Scenes from Jataka Tales

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Scenes from Jataka Tales

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Scenes from Jataka Tales