The Gupta Empire of India Global Studies 9 Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Costello, Mrs. Suto, and Ms. Soddano
Feb 24, 2016
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.