📍The Gupta Empire came to power in 320 A.D. and ruled until 550 A.D.
📍Uniting much of the Indian Subcontinent, it ensured peace and prosperity.
📍Hinduism had a strong impact on Gupta society and cultural life.
📍Had a strong central government with some power given to local leaders.
📍In earlier times, women were allowed to serve the council.
📍The caste system greatly influenced the Gupta empire. Caste rules and traditions created a stable society.
📍Villages were the center of life.
📍Houses were built of earth and stone. The fields to grow crops surrounded the village.

📍Indian mathematicians developed the concept of zero along with the decimal system. They also created a system of writing numerals, Arabic Numerals, that are still used today!
📍Gupta physicians used herbs to treat illnesses and were able to treat injuries with a form of plastic surgery.
📍They vaccinated people 1,000 years before this practice began in Europe.
📍Built square-shaped stone temples filled with carvings of gods and goddesses for Hindu worship. Buddhists created shrines.
📍Fables and Folktales in the Sanskrit language were collected and carried as far west as Persia, Egypt, and Greece.
📍Kalidasa, one of the most famous writers wrote "Shakuntala".
📍After about 200 years, the Gupta Empire declines due to invasions and weak rulers.
📍These invaders were nomads from Central Asia called the White Huns. They destroyed cities, villages, and trade.

📍Wealthier families lived in joint families, or a family consisting of parents, children, and their offspring living together.
📍Indian families were patriarchal, men were in charge of the families.
📍The role of women became more restricted over time.
📍By the end of the Gupta rule, upper class women were restricted to their homes and had to be covered from head to toe. However, lower class women had to work.
📍The Gupta empire is in a period of time called a "Golden Age" because of their agricultural achievements.

Gupta Empire: