Lesson 2/34 min
The Gupta age
After the Mauryas the Gupta empire arose in northern India. Because of progress in literature, science and art, the Gupta age is called the ‘golden age’ of ancient India. Almost all of Bengal became part of it.
Main Gupta emperors (dates approximate)
| Emperor | About when | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Chandragupta I | About 320 | Real founder of the dynasty; title Maharajadhiraja |
| Samudragupta | About 335–375 (books: 340–380) | Greatest Gupta king; ‘Napoleon of ancient India’ in Vincent Smith's words; reigned about 40 years |
| Chandragupta II | About 380–415 (375 in some sources) | Titles Vikramaditya and Simhavira; the poet Kalidasa belongs to this age; the Chinese traveller Fa-Hien visited |
The Guptas in Bengal
- By the middle of the 4th century nearly all of Bengal except Samatata was in the empire
- The Allahabad inscription lists Samatata as a tributary frontier kingdom
- North Bengal was governed as the province of Pundravardhana-bhukti, attested under Kumaragupta I
Literature and culture
- Kalidasa's works: Abhijnanashakuntalam (play), Raghuvamsha and Kumarasambhava (epics), Meghaduta and Ritusamhara (lyrics)
- The books count the Ajanta cave paintings as Gupta-age art
- In the first half of the 6th century attacks by the Huns of Central Asia broke up the empire
Watch out: The books disagree about the founder of Nalanda: one names Harshavardhana, another Kumaragupta. The usual view is Kumaragupta I, in the 5th century; Harsha came about two centuries later. Decide by the options in the exam.
Watch out: Gupta dates differ by a few years from book to book (for example Samudragupta 335–375 or 340–380). Keep them as ‘about’; the order and the titles are certain.
Check yourself
Who is known as the ‘Napoleon of ancient India’?
At a glance
- 1
The Gupta age is the ‘golden age’ of ancient India; founder Chandragupta I (about 320).
- 2
Samudragupta was the greatest Gupta king, the ‘Napoleon of ancient India’.
- 3
Chandragupta II held the titles Vikramaditya and Simhavira; the Chinese traveller Fa-Hien visited in his time.
- 4
The poet Kalidasa belongs to the Gupta age; works include Meghaduta and Abhijnanashakuntalam.
- 5
By the mid-4th century nearly all Bengal except Samatata was in the Gupta empire; Hun attacks broke it up in the 6th century.