Summarize
The collapse of the Maurya Empire led to 500 years of anarchy in India in which smaller
kingdoms ruled. Despite this disorder, the period brought continued economic, social,
and cultural progress. Then around A. D. 320, a new unifying power arose. A leader in
Magadha called Chandra Gupta I began gaining new land and established the Gupta
Empire. A dynasty of strong Gupta kings continued to expand the empire until it covered
most of northern India. Instead of establishing a strong central government as the
Mauryas did, the Guptas allowed the defeated kings to continue to rule. In exchange,
the Guptas required obedience and tribute, or payment, from the defeated kings.
A series of strong, wise, and long-lived Gupta rulers brought India 200 years of political
stability, peace, and prosperity. The expanding empire and its extensive trade routes
spread Indian cultural influences around Asia and beyond. Hinduism was reestablished
and eventually became India’s main religion.

2.2 The Gupta Empire

A GOLDEN AGE
Chandra Gupta II, grandson of Chandra Gupta I, ruled during India’s
golden age, a period of great cultural achievement. Kalidasa (kah-lih-DAH-suh), the
greatest poet in Chandra Gupta II’s court and one of India’s greatest writers, composed
poems and plays in Sanskrit. Scribes, or writers, wrote down the spoken stories,
including the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

2.2 The Gupta Empire

Indian artists painted and sculpted statues of Hindu Deities. Architects designed and
built elegant new temples. Metalworking improved dramatically. A 24-foot iron pillar
weighing more than 6 tons still stands in Delhi some 1,500 years after being installed.
Medical understanding also increased. Ayurveda (y-uhr-VAY-duh), a traditional guide
to medicine, diet, exercise, and disease, developed and remains an alternative form of
healing. In medicine, as in many other areas, ancient Indian knowledge and culture
reached far around the world.