320 AD- 550 AD
The Gupta Empire united much of Indian sub continent and ensured peace and prosperity. Hinduism had a strong impact on Gupta society and life. The Gupta empire had a strong central government, they gave some power to local leaders. The headman or council made the decisions in the villages. The women in early times were allowed t serve on council but then it died out.
Society:
The Caste system influenced life in the Gupta empire. Caste rules and traditions created a stable society.
The villages were the center of life. The houses were built of earth and stone. The fields to grow crops surrounded the village. Wealthier families lived in joint families. Indian families were patriarchal. The children learned the family trade and work in fields. Parents arranged children's marriages. The father would decide on a Dow to pay the other father.

Gupta Empire Decline:
After about 200 years, the Gupta Empire declined due to weak rulers and invasions. These invaders were from Central Asia. The white guns were nomads that destroy cities, villages, and trade.

The role of women:
They became more restricted over time. By the end of Gupta rule upper class women were restricted to their homes and had to be covered from head to toe. Lower class women were expected to work.

Contributions: cause and effect of the Gupta Empire
An environment of people and prosperity allowed scientific and artistic achievements to flourish. Education takes place at religious places. Indian mathematics developed the concept of zero as well as the decimal system. Gupta math scientists developed the system of writing numerals we use today called Arabic numerals. They are called this because Arabs brought them from India to the Middle East.

Gupta Empire

Gupta physicians used herbs to treat illnesses. They were able to set bones and treat facial injuries with a type of plastic surgery. They also vaccinated people against small pox.
Architecture:
They built stone temples for Hindu Worship. Typical shaped temple was a square, which represented earth inside a circle(represented eternity). Hindu temples filled with carvings of gods and goddesses.
-Buddhists created shines that were rather plain with the exception of the gateways which had elaborate paintings.
Literature:
Fables and folktales in the Sakrait language collected and carried asfaras west as Persia, Egypt and Greece. Most famous writer was Kalidasa. He wrote Shakuntala, the story about a king who falls in love and marries an orphan. There's an evil spell, he loses all his memory and gains it at the end when he loves happily ever after.