The Gupta Empire of India

Global Studies 9Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Costello, Mrs. Suto,

and Ms. Soddano

Geographic Setting of the Gupta Empire

Both the Mauryan and Gupta Empires united much of the Indian subcontinent. Mountains helped protect these civilizations from foreign invaders. The Indus and Ganges Rivers also provided water and fertile soil for farming.

Government Gupta rulers maintained a

strong central government, but also gave great power to local leaders. These leaders were elected by the merchants and artisans. In each village, a headman and council made decisions for the village. Women had once been allowed to serve on the councils. But under Hindu law, more restrictions were placed on them and they lost that right.

Hinduism and Gupta Society Hinduism strongly influenced

Gupta society. Under the caste system,

people were born into specific social classes out of which they could not move in their lifetimes. If they had good karma and followed the rules of

dharma, they could move up to a higher caste

in their next lives.

Village Life

Village life was governed by cast rules and traditions, which created a stable society. People in higher castes did not want to be

contaminated by people in lower castes, so their were strict rules to prevent that from happening. The people of the lower castes got the worst jobs in society, with the Untouchables being the lowest caste.

Family Life People lived as extended

families, which included parents, children, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Families were

patriarchal, meaning the oldest male was the

head of the household. Marriages were

arranged for children by their parents, and

they had to marry within their own caste.

Golden Age of the Gupta Dynasty Under Gupta rule, an environment of peace and

prosperity allowed for scientific and artistic achievements to flourish. India experienced a golden age, with contributions made in the areas of mathematics, medicine, architecture, and language.

Contributions Mathematics• Zero and the decimal system• Arabic numerals Medicine• Herbs to treat illnesses• Surgery to set bones and plastic surgery• Vaccine for small pox

Contributions

Architecture• Hindu temples filled with

carvings of gods and goddesses• Buddhist shrines known as

stupas Language and literature• Sanskrit – an ancient Hindu

and Indian language.