Contributions & Legacy
In the great Indian Gupta Empire, in the time of the golden age, prosperity and achievements came to life. Some achievements were literature, mathematics, painting, sculpturing, and metalwork.
Literature
Gupta writers created many different kinds of literary work. They wrote fables, folktales, and poetry. Sacred texts were often shown in palm-leaf books. The palm-leaf books were unearthed and were made in about 550 C.E. However, fables, folktales, and poetry weren’t the only kinds of Indian literature. Gupta writers also wrote plays that included dramas and comedies, and some were historical and political subjects. Many people gathered to watch these performances.
In writing, scholars and lawyers wrote about Hindu religion and their laws. The Puranas explained many Hindu legends. These sacred texts have been passed down for generations. The Mahabharata ("Great Work"), a poem that was written over hundreds of years ago, related to Hindu values and the battle between the good and the evil.
Some Gupta literature spread throughout India, therefore, Gupta’s sacred texts influenced cultures as far as Greece and Persia.
Literature
Gupta writers created many different kinds of literary work. They wrote fables, folktales, and poetry. Sacred texts were often shown in palm-leaf books. The palm-leaf books were unearthed and were made in about 550 C.E. However, fables, folktales, and poetry weren’t the only kinds of Indian literature. Gupta writers also wrote plays that included dramas and comedies, and some were historical and political subjects. Many people gathered to watch these performances.
In writing, scholars and lawyers wrote about Hindu religion and their laws. The Puranas explained many Hindu legends. These sacred texts have been passed down for generations. The Mahabharata ("Great Work"), a poem that was written over hundreds of years ago, related to Hindu values and the battle between the good and the evil.
Some Gupta literature spread throughout India, therefore, Gupta’s sacred texts influenced cultures as far as Greece and Persia.
Mathematics
Early Hindu mathematicians created a way of writing whole numbers using the numerals 1 through 9. Then Gupta mathematicians made further advances. For example, they made a decimal system to write numbers that uses 10 basic numerals that have different values depending on their “place.” Hindu mathematics first came up with zero. Many calculations are very difficult without the numeral zero. Later on, Arabs learned the Indian number system and passed it on to Europe. One of the Gupta mathematicians was a man named Aryabhata. He combined mathematics and astronomy together to create important discoveries. Aryabhata also calculated the size of earth and that the planets are called spheres. Many people are able to use mathematics to measure and design more complex structures.
Early Hindu mathematicians created a way of writing whole numbers using the numerals 1 through 9. Then Gupta mathematicians made further advances. For example, they made a decimal system to write numbers that uses 10 basic numerals that have different values depending on their “place.” Hindu mathematics first came up with zero. Many calculations are very difficult without the numeral zero. Later on, Arabs learned the Indian number system and passed it on to Europe. One of the Gupta mathematicians was a man named Aryabhata. He combined mathematics and astronomy together to create important discoveries. Aryabhata also calculated the size of earth and that the planets are called spheres. Many people are able to use mathematics to measure and design more complex structures.
Painting
The Gupta Empire is famous and known for their paintings. For wealthy people/ families, painting is an important part of their life. Popular paintings were deities and other religious topics. Nobles hired artists to paint pictures of their family and their royalty. Some paintings represented wealth and luxury of a noble’s life. The paintings were sometimes painted on scrolls. Many paintings are of musicians, dancers, kings, and queens. Gupta artists made these paintings very delicately and made sure they were perfect.
The Gupta Empire is famous and known for their paintings. For wealthy people/ families, painting is an important part of their life. Popular paintings were deities and other religious topics. Nobles hired artists to paint pictures of their family and their royalty. Some paintings represented wealth and luxury of a noble’s life. The paintings were sometimes painted on scrolls. Many paintings are of musicians, dancers, kings, and queens. Gupta artists made these paintings very delicately and made sure they were perfect.
Sculptures
Another great area of artistic achievements in the Gupta Empire was making sculptures. Sculptures create statues out of wood, stone, terra-cotta clay, and bronze. Many of these statues represent either the Buddha or Hinduism deities. For example, the Buddha statue has low eyes and a calm face to show the Buddha’s wisdom. His hands and legs are smoothly crossed and is seated on a highly decorated seat. These statues are detailed and realistic. These statues are not just a form of art. However, these statues portray Hindu or Buddhist beliefs and help control over someone's emotions.
Another great area of artistic achievements in the Gupta Empire was making sculptures. Sculptures create statues out of wood, stone, terra-cotta clay, and bronze. Many of these statues represent either the Buddha or Hinduism deities. For example, the Buddha statue has low eyes and a calm face to show the Buddha’s wisdom. His hands and legs are smoothly crossed and is seated on a highly decorated seat. These statues are detailed and realistic. These statues are not just a form of art. However, these statues portray Hindu or Buddhist beliefs and help control over someone's emotions.
Metalwork
One of the accomplishments in the Gupta Empire was metalwork. Gupta kings controlled huge mines filled with gold, copper, and iron. The metalworkers job was to create copper and gold coins. To get the picture on the coin, they had to engrave a picture onto the coin so that the coins honor the Gupta rulers. The coins usually highlight the rulers’ wealth and their achievements in politics, arts, and war.
The Gupta metalworkers were also famous for their iron work. At a place called Meharauli where there are iron pillars, became an impressive and mysterious example of the metalworkers skills. Nobody knows how Gupta iron workers achieved such talent in metalworking.
One of the accomplishments in the Gupta Empire was metalwork. Gupta kings controlled huge mines filled with gold, copper, and iron. The metalworkers job was to create copper and gold coins. To get the picture on the coin, they had to engrave a picture onto the coin so that the coins honor the Gupta rulers. The coins usually highlight the rulers’ wealth and their achievements in politics, arts, and war.
The Gupta metalworkers were also famous for their iron work. At a place called Meharauli where there are iron pillars, became an impressive and mysterious example of the metalworkers skills. Nobody knows how Gupta iron workers achieved such talent in metalworking.