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India from 300 A.D to 800 A.D. - http://historyforindia.blogspot.com/

There are many source to the history of Guptas such as Ashtadasa, Devi chandragutam, Bana's Harsha charita, Buddhism, Kamandaka's Nithi Sastram and the books written by Chinese reavellers Fahein and Hi-eun-Tsiang.

The Gupta Empire came in to existence after the Maurya Empire by uniting the North India. Gupta era had a specialty in India history. The Kings of this dynasty ruled over North India from A.D. 320 for about 200 years. The most famous among the Gupta rules was Chandragupta-1, Samudragupta and chandragupta-2 'Vikramaditya'. Srigupta was the founder of the Gupta dynasty. Chandragupta -1 ruled from A.D 320 - 330 by extending his empire. He grew in strength politically by marrying kumaradevi, the lichchhavis princess of vaisali. Pataliputra was his capital, chandragupta-1 ruled the region between the Bihar and Allahabad by assuming the title “Maharajadhi Raja”, chandragupta started the Gupta era.

Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta-1. He was not only a warrior but also a great musician and an expert in playing Veena. He extended the gupta empire by his conquests in all directions. He was called as “ Indian Napoleon” because of his several victories. Samudragupta extended his empire upto the River Yamuna by annexing nine kingdoms which were in the neighborhood of the Gupta Kingdom. He conquered a number of tribal kingdoms and annexed them to Gupta empire. He conquered twelve kingdom in South India, from Orissa to kanchi and made them his subordinates. The ruler of Simhala and the Kushan rulers of Afganisthan sent present to Samudragupta by surrundenig and expressing their obedience to him. Samudragupta performed Ashwamedha yaga to commemorate his victories.

Chandragupta -2 was the son of samudragupta. He ruled the Gupta empire from A.D.375 to A.D.415. He made Ujjain of Malwa as his second capital. Malwa, Gujarat and Saurastra were under the foreign rule Chandragupta -2 assumed the title sakari by defeating the saka. As he had strength like keenness of sun he was given the title Vikramaditya. An Iron pillar of victory erected near Kutabminar in Delhi stands as a symbol of his valour.

ART- LITERATURE

During the gupta period, the predominance of Hinduism increased. A new form of Hinduism came into existence based on Agama Sastra and Puranas replacing the vedic rituals.Guptas preached religious tolerance and they respected Jainism and Buddism.

During this period 'Shabara' wrote comments on Darshanas like Sankhya, Yoga and Mimansa. A tremendous development was done in the areas of Maths and Astronomy.Zero (0) is an important gift given to the world by the Indians. Aryabatta, Varahamihira and Brahma gupta were great scholars in Astronomy, Astrology and Mathematics belonged to that time. Aryabattiam and Surya Sidanthi written by Aryabatta are the standered books on Astronomy. He explainded solar and lunar eclipses scientifically. Varahamihira was known as an enclopedia. Panchasiddanthika the book related to Astronomy also was written by Varhamihira.

Brahmagupta was a great mathematician. He discovered that the earth has gravity. Being a poet chandragupta -2 patronised poets and scholars. Expansion of literature took place during this period Nine famous Sankrit scholars adorned the court of Chandragupta -2. They were Kalidasa, Dhanwanthri, Amarasimha, Varahamihira, Kshapanaka, these poets are called as Navaratnas. Among them kalidas was famous personality. Kalidasa wrote many plays and books in sanskrit language namely, Megha Sandesham, Raghuvamsham, Abhijnana Sakuntalam, Malavikagnimitran and Vikramoruasiyam.vaghbatta's Ashtanga Sangaha is a great book, in the field of Medicine. The famous surgeon Sushruta belongs to guptha era many Buddist temples, Sanchi and Saranath stupas were built during this period. Dasavathara temple in Devagarh near Jhansi became famous.

Padmapani is an extraordinary wall picture in Ajanta caves. Bagh caves in Gwalior Sittannavasal in pudukkottai and sigiriya caves in Ceylon were built during this time. We can see a seven feet high Buddha statue cast in bronze at Sutangum, also belongs to Gupta's time. Temple for the gods Siva and Vishnu built by Guptas were the best example of their sculpture during the period of Chandragupta -2 Chinese piligrim Fahien visited Guptas empire and wrote about the rule of Guptas.

Indian culture spread to Countries like ceylon, South East Asia, China and Rome. The country marched towards progress with the restoration of Hindusm and with the scientific research needed for the human survival. Gupta era is called the Golden era as there was all round development and the rule was based on the welfare of the state.