Flourishing of Indian Culture in Gupta Empire Essay

The era of Gupta Empire, which lasted for two centuries on the territories of modern northern India, can be named as a period of economic, cultural and social rise of Indian community. Leadership of the Emperors of Gupta Dynasty was very successful, and there were peace, order and social harmony set up at Gupta territories. Such circumstances favored the development and flourishing of culture and intellectual science in Gupta Empire. Wall-paintings of Ajanta Caves in Deccan demonstrate high level of artistic skills, creativity and imagination of Gupta painters. The main themes of those paintings are religious motifs and daily life of Gupta people. Also, there are magnificent sculptures and powerful statues, which mostly image different Buddhist gods and are still in good state of preservation. Architectural monuments of those times are mostly Hindu temples with towers. This period can be characterized by combining of traditional forms with new aspects in all branches of Indian art. Popularization of Sanskrit language brought to considerable rise in literature. Outstanding Gupta poets Kalidasa, Dandi, Shudaka contributed to Indian literature their poetry, comedies and dramas, in which they used to address to lyrical, religious, epic, narrative and erotic motives. In those times a great number of books and researches were written, both literary and scientific, including famous Kamasutra, the work about the art of physical love. During the Gupta Age a lot of achievements took place in such disciplines, like mathematic, logic, astronomy, medicine, veterinary, and others. For example, a new Gupta numerical system was developed from the Brahmi numerals, which later on influenced Roman decimal system. Gupta astronomers could calculate the duration of the solar year, and Gupta doctors could do a type of operation, which is known now as Caesarian section. Unfortunately, the Gupta Era and its cultural progress did not last long. The main reason of this can be the fall of the Empire as a result of invasions of the White Huns from the South and the West. This caused the split up of the Empire and assimilation of Gupta people into other Asian nations. Nevertheless, a lot of cultural memorials and intellectual achievements could survive and contribute into further development of Indian community and the whole humanity. Bibliography: †¢ Gupta Empire. (2006, February). Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved March 20, 2006, from: . †¢ Gupta Empire in India. (1995, September). Indian Child. A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety. Retrieved March 20, 2006, from: . †¢ Hooker, R. (1999, July 6). World Civilizations: The Age of Guptas and After. Washington State University. Board of Regents. Retrieved March 20, 2006, from . †¢ The Gupta Age. (n. d. ). Today’s India. Embassy of India in Havana. Retrieved March 20, 2006, from: .