Gupta Empire Achievements Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the Gupta Empire?

Empire in India from 320-550 c.e.

What is the Golden Age?

A time of great prosperity and achievement.

What happened after the Mauryan Empire fell in 187 BCE?

India broke apart into separate kingdoms and they fought over land and power.

Who did the Gupta Empire begin under?

Chandragupta I Signup and view all the answers

How did Chandragupta I unite the northern kingdom?

He conquered them through war and by forming alliances through marriage. Signup and view all the answers

In what 3 ways was the Gupta Empire similar to the Mauryan Empire?

Central government to oversee empire, council that helped the king make decisions, council made up of advisors and members of the royal family. Signup and view all the answers

In what 4 ways are the Gupta Empire and Mauryan Empire different?

Local areas had a great deal of independence, empire divided into provinces, provinces ruled by royal governors, in provinces the town leaders made their own decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What helped the Guptas stay in power for 230 years?

Their ruling strategy Signup and view all the answers

Growth in arts and sciences is due to what 2 things?

Peaceful times and the empire's stability. Signup and view all the answers

Who could attend schools during this time?

Primarily males only, and teachers' daughters. Signup and view all the answers

What was the most famous university?

Buddhist school of Nalanda. Signup and view all the answers

What is a monastery?

Home for monks. Signup and view all the answers

What did students learn in school?

Buddhist philosophy, Hindu philosophy, logic, grammar, and medicine. Signup and view all the answers

What skills did the students of medicine learn?

Practices of the day; how to question patients about their physical problems; to make cures from bark, roots, leaves, minerals; to stitch up wounds with claws of ants; surgery. Signup and view all the answers

What 4 types of literary works were created?

Poetry, fables, folktales, plays (comedy and drama). Signup and view all the answers

What are Puranas?

Called 'Ancient Lores': described Hindu legends. Signup and view all the answers

Under the Guptas, literature was first what?

Gathered and recorded. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Mahabharata?

Called 'Great Work': A poem composed over hundreds of years that describes Hindu values and the battle of good and evil. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

Called 'Song of the Lord': Part of the Mahabharata. It is a poem where Prince Arjuna is taught basic truths of Hinduism by Krishna. Signup and view all the answers

How far did Gupta literature spread?

As far as Greece and Persia (Iran). Signup and view all the answers

What tale was inspired by Gupta folklore?

Aladdin and his magic lamp. Signup and view all the answers

What type of families considered paintings an important part of life?

Wealthy families (noble). Signup and view all the answers

What were popular subjects of paintings?

Deities, religious topics, families, royalty. Signup and view all the answers

Why did noble (wealthy) families hire artists?

To paint their families. Signup and view all the answers

What is the greatest ancient Indian painting?

Ajanta cave murals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the paint made from?

Minerals and clay. Signup and view all the answers

What were the subjects of the paintings?

Buddha, kings, queens, musicians, dancers, woodland scenes. Signup and view all the answers

What did sculptors use to create statues?

Stone, wood, bronze, terra-cotta clay. Signup and view all the answers

What did the statues portray?

The human form of Buddha and Hindu deities in a simple and graceful way. Signup and view all the answers

How were statues displayed?

They stood on their own or were carved into walls of temples and caves. Signup and view all the answers

How did Gupta sculptures show humans?

As simple and graceful humans. Signup and view all the answers

What 3 types of material did metalworkers use?

Gold, copper, iron. Signup and view all the answers

What did Gupta era coins show?

They showed the Gupta rulers' wealth and achievement in art, politics, and war. Signup and view all the answers

One example of ironwork?

Iron pillar made of solid iron, 25 ft tall, weighs 13,000 lbs, engraved with a story of accomplishments of power. Signup and view all the answers

What is so special about the iron from this time period?

It is almost rust-free, even after 1,600 years. Signup and view all the answers

What system did the Guptas come up with to write numbers?

The decimal system. Signup and view all the answers

Hindu mathematicians were the first to do what?

Treat zero as a number. Signup and view all the answers

What is this system of numbers known as today?

'Hindu-Arabic numerals' or 'Arabic numerals'. Signup and view all the answers

What discoveries did Aryabhata make?

<ol> <li>A year was exactly 365.258 days long. 2. Approximate size of the Earth. 3. Proposed that planets were spheres. 4. Suggested that Earth spins on an axis.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Gupta builders use math for?

To design more complex structures. Signup and view all the answers

What did building roads encourage?

Trade. Signup and view all the answers

What were roads made of?

Hard-packed dirt. Signup and view all the answers

What 2 features of roads helped prevent flooding?

<ol> <li>They were built a few feet above ground. 2. They made ditches (canals) that ran on either side so the water had somewhere to go.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What was along the roads (4 things)?

<ol> <li>Signs to tell people where they were 2. Distances were marked 3. Rest houses to relax and spend the night 4. Wells for water for drinking and cooking.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What were the benefits of roads?

<ol> <li>Traders could move easily between cities 2. Move goods to waterways 3. Connected India to China and other lands.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gupta Empire Overview

Existed in India from 320–550 CE.
Marked by a significant period known as the Golden Age, characterized by prosperity and achievement.

After the Mauryan Empire

Following the fall in 187 BCE, India fragmented into various kingdoms that competed for territory and authority.

Foundation of the Gupta Empire

Established by Chandragupta I, who united northern kingdoms through warfare and strategic marital alliances.

Governance Structure

Similar to the Mauryan Empire in having a central government, a council of advisors, and royal family members assisting the king.
Differentiated by a decentralized administration, where provinces enjoyed a degree of autonomy, governed by royal representatives, with local leaders making decisions.

Stability and Longevity

The Gupta Empire maintained power for over 230 years due to effective ruling strategies.
Peaceful periods and stable governance catalyzed growth in arts and sciences, leading to the Golden Age.

Education and Learning

Schools primarily catered to males and teachers’ daughters; major learning centers included Nalanda, known for its comprehensive curriculum.
Students studied various subjects including Buddhist and Hindu philosophy, logic, grammar, and medicine.

Medicine and Healing Practices

Medical students learned practical skills including patient questioning, herbal medicine formulation, stitching, and surgical techniques.

Literary Contributions

Flourishing of diverse literary forms: poetry, fables, folktales, and plays (both comedy and drama).
The Puranas (“Ancient Lores”) preserved Hindu legends orally before being documented.

Significant Texts

The Mahabharata ("Great Work") illustrates Hindu values and the epic conflict between good and evil.
The Bhagavad Gita ("Song of the Lord"), part of the Mahabharata, conveys essential Hindu philosophical teachings.

Cultural Influence

Gupta literature spread as far as Greece and Persia, inspiring tales such as Aladdin and his magic lamp.

Artistic Endeavors

Noble families valued paintings, commissioning artists to create works depicting family and religious themes.
Ajanta cave murals are renowned as the greatest ancient Indian paintings, featuring vivid imagery across 30 caves.

Sculpture and Statues

Sculptors used materials like stone, wood, and bronze to create statues of deities, often integrating into temple architecture.

Metallurgy and Coinage

Gupta metalworkers crafted coins from gold, copper, and iron to symbolize wealth and artistic achievement.
The Iron Pillar, a notable example of Indian metallurgy, remains remarkably rust-free after 1,600 years.

Mathematics and Astronomy

The Gupta mathematicians pioneered the decimal system and recognized zero as a fundamental number, later known as "Hindu-Arabic numerals."
Aryabhata discovered crucial astronomical facts, including the Earth’s rotation and accurate calendar calculations.

Infrastructure Development

Road construction facilitated trade, featuring features that mitigated flooding, such as elevated surfaces and drainage canals.
Roads included essential amenities such as distance markers, rest houses, and water wells, enhancing connectivity throughout the empire.

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Description

Explore the major achievements of the Gupta Empire through these flashcards. Learn about the Empire's significance in Indian history from 320-550 CE and understand the Golden Age of prosperity. Each card offers a clear definition and historical context to enhance your knowledge.