Background
The
Golden Age of India occurs under the rule of the Gupta
Dynasty (320 - 550 CE) The Gupta established a
strong central government which also allowed a degree of
local control. Gupta society was ordered in
accordance with
Hindu beliefs. This included a
strict
caste system, or
class system. The peace
and prosperity created under Gupta leadership enabled
the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors.
Math & Science
Gupta mathematicians
developed the concept of zero in the use of math, and
also
developed the
decimal system based on the number
10. They also created a number writing system that
was later adopted by the
Islamic Empire. This
system became known as
Arabic Numerals, but
is really a Gupta achievement. This is the number
writing system used throughout the world today. Medicine
Gupta
physicians developed herbal remedies to treat
various  illnesses. They also developed a form of plastic
surgery for the treatment of facial injuries.
Physicians
vaccinated against smallpox, a
practice later used in China (10th century) and Europe
(17th century.) Arts & Literature
Gupta
architecture was dedicated to building stone temples to
the various Hindu
gods. Also,
Buddhists built shrines to house the
remains of select holy people. These structures
were called Stupas. This form of
architecture made its way to China where it was altered
slightly and renamed the pagoda. Gupta
literature consists of fables and folktales written in
 Sanskrit.
These stories spread west to Persia, Egypt, and Greece,
and became the basis for many Islamic literary works
such as, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Aladdin
and his Magic Lamp. The Gupta Dynasty
declined due to weak rulers and a series of invasions,
but many of their cultural and intellectual achievements
were saved and transmitted to other cultures and live on
today.
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