Page 86 - SST Class 06

In the Gupta period, like shudras, women were Princes and richer people could divert a part of
also allowed to listen to epics and the Puranas, their income for the support of those engaged in
and advised to worship Krishna. But, women of art and literature. Both Samudragupta and
higher orders did not have access to independent Chandragupta II were patrons of art and litera-
sources of livelihood in pre-Gupta and Gupta ture. Samudragupta is represented on his coins
times. The fact that women of the two lower playing the lute (veena) and Chandragupta II is
varnas were free to earn their livelihood gave credited with maintaining in his court nine
them considerable freedom, which was denied to luminaries or great scholars. The Gupta period
women of the upper varnas. witnessed Golden Age only in the fields of art,

CULTURE literature, etc.
The Gupta period is called the Golden Age of The Gupta age is still remembered for its many
ancient India. This may not be true in the politi- achievements in the field of art, architecture,
cal and socio-economic fields because of several medicine, science, metallurgy and literature.
unhappy developments during the period. Added to all this, peace prevailed in the king-
However, it is evident from the archaeological dom. People lived together happily. It was an age
findings that the Guptas possessed a large of high culture and many scientific achievements.
In the opinion of some historians, the Gupta
amount of gold, whatever might be its source,
period was the ‘Classical Age’ or the ‘Golden
and they issued the largest number of gold coins.
Age’ of Indian history.

Terminology

Stupendous : extremely impressive
Expansionists : a follower or advocate of a policy of territorial
Endeavors : try hard to do
CE : common era

Inside Story
Inside Story
g The Gupta Period of India was defined by creativity.
g In 185 BCE, the Mauryan empire collapsed when the last of the Mauryan kings was
assassinated.
g The territorial heads ruling over various parts of India could not counter the superior armed
forces of Chandragupta I.
g Samudragupta, son of Chandragupta I, was the greatest ruler of the Gupta Dynasty.

g Agriculture was the main occupation of the people.
g Two well-known mathematicians and astronomers of the time were Aryabhata and
Varahamihira.
g The practice of sati (self-immolation at the funeral pyre of the husband) gained approval of
the jurists.
g The Gupta period is called the Golden Age of ancient India.
g The Gupta age is still remembered for its many achievements in the field of art, architecture,
medicine, science, metallurgy and literature.

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