Ancient His. Chapter 18 Flashcards
When did the Gupta Empire control India?
The Gupta Empire controlled India from 320 to 550 C.E.
What was the Golden Age?
The golden age was marked by great prosperity and achievement due to a time of peace, allowing people to focus on creative activities.
What led to the rise of the Gupta Empire?
The Gupta Empire arose in 320 C.E. under Chandragupta I, who conquered kingdoms through war and formed alliances by arranging marriages.
How long did the Gupta Empire last?
The Gupta Empire lasted until 550 C.E., ruling for 230 years, mostly across northern India.
What was a similarity between the Gupta and Mauryan Empires?
Both empires had a central government advised by a council.
What was a difference between the Gupta and Mauryan Empires?
The Gupta Empire allowed more independence by dividing the empire into provinces ruled by a royal governor.
What types of universities did the Gupta Empire build?
The Gupta Empire built many colleges and universities for both Hindu and Buddhist studies.
Who primarily attended the universities in the Gupta Empire?
Universities were primarily for men or daughters of teachers.
What subjects were taught at Hindu universities?
Subjects included religion, math, astronomy, chemistry, and Sanskrit, along with sculpture, painting, music, and dancing.
What was significant about the Buddhist school at Nalanda?
Nalanda had eight colleges, three libraries, a hospital, and a monastery, teaching Buddhist and Hindu philosophy.
What did students of medicine learn in the Gupta Empire?
Students learned to question patients, make cures from natural materials, and stitch wounds.
What types of literature were produced during the Gupta Empire?
Gupta writers produced poetry, fables, folktales, plays, and scholarly works on Hindu law and religion.
What are the Puranas?
The Puranas are a collection of Hindu legends that teach lessons of the Vedas through tales of sages and kings.
What is the Mahabharata?
The Mahabharata is a poem composed over hundreds of years, reaching its final form during the Gupta era, relating to Hindu values.
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
The Bhagavad Gita, known as the ‘song of the Lord,’ is a beloved work of Hinduism where Prince Arjuna learns basic truths from Krishna.
How did Gupta literature influence other cultures?
Gupta literature spread beyond India, influencing cultures as far away as Greece and Persia.
What was the role of painting in Gupta society?
Painting was important for noble families, often depicting deities, religious topics, and the luxury of noble life.
What are cave murals?
Cave murals cover walls of 30 caves, showing scenes of Buddha’s life, Buddhist values, and various aspects of nature and society.
What materials were used for Gupta sculptures?
Gupta sculptures were created from stone, wood, bronze, and terra-cotta clay.
What did Gupta sculptures typically portray?
They portrayed the Buddha or Hindu deities and depicted important scenes from people’s lives.
What was a notable achievement in Gupta metalwork?
Gupta kings controlled large mines of gold, copper, and iron, producing coins and notable ironwork.
What is the significance of the iron pillar at Mehrauli?
The iron pillar stands 25 feet tall, weighs 13,000 pounds, and is nearly rust-free after 1,600 years.
What contributions did Gupta mathematicians make?
Gupta mathematicians advanced the decimal system and were the first to treat zero as a number.
Who was Aryabhata?
Aryabhata was a famous mathematician who made significant discoveries in mathematics and astronomy.
What infrastructure did Gupta rulers develop to encourage trade?
Gupta rulers created a system of well-built roads, cleared of obstacles, with rest houses and wells.
How did the roads benefit trade in the Gupta Empire?
The roads allowed goods to move easily from the middle of the country to important waterways and connected India to other regions.
