Transcript HISTORY OF INDIA MEDIEVAL TIMES

GUPTA DYNASTY
300 –550 A.D.
Timeline of History
 Vedic Civilization : 5000 B.C.
 Indus & Saraswati Civilizations : 2500 - 1000 B.C.
 Birth of Jainism and Buddhism 563 - 400 B.C.
 Golden Age of Indian Unity & Govt : Mauryan Dynasty : 325 - 175 B.C.
 Golden Age of Indian Arts & Sciences : Gupta Dynasty : 300 - 650 A.D.
 Regional Kingdoms and Muslim Invasions : 700 – 1200 A.D.
 The Mughal Empire : 1300 - 1700 A.D.
 The British East-India Company : 1600 A.D.
 The British Empire : 1700 - 1900 A.D.
 India's Freedom Struggle : 1857 - 1947
 Independence : 1947
 Modern India 2020 Vision : 20th and 21st Century
Golden Age of Arts and Culture
SUMMARY
 Emperors: Samudragupta , Chandragupta II, and
Harshavardhan
 Kalidasa who composed Shakuntala was during this
era.
 Ajanta and Ellora cavtemples were erected.
 Gold coins were minted es and lots of temples were
built.
 Sarnath and Mathura during this time.
 Harsha was supporter of Buddhism and Hinduism.
 Nalanda University and Banaras University were setup
during this time
Hierarchy of Rulers
Chandragupta I
(320 – 335 A.D.)
Samudra Gupta
(335 – 375 A.D.)
Kumar Gupta
(415 – 445 A.D.)
ChandraGupta II
Vikramaditya
(375 – 415 A.D.)
Harsha Vardhana
(606– 647A.D.)
Chandragupta I
 Chandragupta was a chieftain who married
Kumaradevi and inherited a small kingdom.
 Eventually he expanded to become the King of
Magadha. His kingdom was limited to that region.
Samudragupta
 Son of Chandragupta I. Crowned Samudragupta to be





the King for his abilities even though he was not the
eldest.
He was very adventurous and led his army across the
4800 km span of India and conquered kingdoms along
the way.
Performed Ashawamedha Yagna (Horse Sacrifice) and
proclaimed himself Emperor.
Very talented in musical instrument of Veena.
Study of art, literature, and science flourished.
Buddhist monastry at Bodh Gaya was built.
Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
 He extended his rule in every direction but South. He added the title to






his name: Vikramaditya (Son of Power).
Hindus still call Vikram Samvat: i.e. beginning of the year of his
kingdom.
All his achievements are inscribed on famous iron pillar in Delhi which
remain clear even today.
Established direct trade with Egypt and other western countries.
Yagnavalka rishi, Kalidasa lived during this time.
Paintings in Ajanta and Ellora caves are from this era.
Fa Hien, the Chinese pilgirm spent 11 years during this time studying
Sanskrit and wrote about prosperity.
Kumargupta I
 Further expanded the kingdom and performed
Ashwamedh Yagna.
 No other exceptional achievements are noted during
this time.
Harsha Vardhana
 Harsha Vardhana became King of Thanesar, north of




Delhi in 606 A.D.
He was only 16 when he ascended the throne, but
eventually ruled most of North India from Kathiawar to
Bengal for 41 years. Defeated Hun invaders.
Hiuen Tsan, the famous Chinese traveler has recorded
his achievements from 630 to 640 A.D.
Nalanda and Banaras University were the most
flourishing schools of learning during his time.
He was a supporter of Hinduism and Buddhism. After
his death Buddhism lost vitality in India.
Kalidasa
 Great poet and Dramatist.
 Considered the chief of the nine gems of Vikramaditya’s court.
 Famous drama ‘Shakuntala’ and ‘Meghdoot’.
 The name ‘Bharat’ came from the classic ‘Shakuntala’.
Administration
 As efficient as Mauryan empire.
 Huge military and spy network supported the Emperors.
Trade
 Commerce as well as works of art flourished in the Gupta Era.
 Sea borne trade from Bengal to Ceylon and China was prevalent.
 South Vietnam was a Hindu kingdom name Fu-Nan.
 India also had trade relations with Rome.
 State owned all the salt and mines and operated industrial enterprises
like royal mint, munitions factory, gold and silver workshops, and
weaving and spinning mills.
Golden Age of Culture and Arts
 Royal support gave funding to build Hindu temples
dedicated to worship of Gods like Siva, Visnu, and Divine
Mother Durga.
 This period is noted for the development of cave art and
sculpture. Ajanta’s cave paintings and sculptures of human
figures are historic mementoes of the people’s life during
the Gupta period.
 Science, Mathematics, Painting, Sculpture and Music
reached the climax of development.
Ajanta Caves
 The Ajanta caves are located 65 miles NE of
Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
 They are 30 in number and were originally were
carved in 3rd century BC under Buddhist sway.
Under Gupta empire they were expanded. The last
of the caves was built in seventh century.
 The caves are rock-cut temples with frescoes built
by Buddhist monks. All the caves have Buddhist
theme.
 The caves are of two types: chaityas or temples,
and viharas or monasteries.
Ajanta Caves
 They were discovered in 1819 by British Military
officers during their maneuvers.
 The older ones (200 BC)are built by followers of
'lesser vehicle' or Hinayana Buddhism (no direct
depiction of Buddha but symbolically represent
using stupas, footprints, trees and elephants).
 The newer ones after 100AD are followers of
‘greater vehicle’ or Mahayana Buddhism which
have larger-than-life depiction of Buddha.
 Most famous caves are #1, 16, 17, 19.
Ajanta Caves contd..
 Cave #1: Last one completed around 5th century AD. Best
example of Vihara architecture with an ornate facade,
carved columns, an impressive front hall divided by
sculpted pillars and a large image of the Buddha.
 Cave #16: has some of Ajanta's best painting and offers the
best view of the whole area. It is also possible that this was
the principal entrance to the whole temple complex.
 Cave #17: has the absolute finest in terms of condition,
quantity and quality.
 Cave #19: has been called "the sculptor's treasure chest"
especially by virtue of the profusion of exquisite carvings
on the facade
Ajanta Caves contd..
The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face
Ajanta Caves contd..
The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face
Ajanta Caves contd..
The Ajanta Caves Walkway
Ajanta Caves contd..
Transportation
Walkway
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 1
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #1: Paintings inside the cave
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #4: Entrance
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #7: Buddha
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #7: Sculpture
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#7: Miracles of Saraswati
Cave#10: Pillar and Wall
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#9: Entrance
Cave#10: Stupa
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave # 12: Buddha Statue
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#11: Buddha
Cave#16: Buddha
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #13: Monks bed chambers
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #17 Entrance
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#19: Entrance
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#19: The famous horseshoe shaped window
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#19: Exterior Sculpture
Cave#19: Stupa
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#19: Pillar carvings and Sculpture
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #20: Inside View
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #26: Sculpture
Ajanta Caves contd..
Scenes from Jataka Tales
Ajanta Caves contd..
Scenes from Jataka Tales
Ajanta Caves contd..
Scenes from Jataka Tales