The Gupta Empire was an Indian empire of the classical period of the Indian subcontinent, existing from the mid third to the mid sixth century CE and at its peak ruling much of the northern Indian subcontinent. The dynasty was founded by a ruler named Gupta; the empire reached its cultural high points under Samudragupta, Chandragupta II and Kumaragupta I, an era sometimes called Pax Gupta that produced scholars including the poet Kalidasa and the mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata, and during which the Mahabharata and Ramayana were canonised in something close to their present form. Some historians have called the period a golden age of India, though the characterization is disputed by others. The empire declined after losing territory and authority to its own feudatories and to invasions by Huna peoples from Central Asia, and after its collapse India returned to rule by numerous regional kingdoms.
Facts
Disputed
CapitalPataliputra (reputed; disputed among historians) 1 Sources call Pataliputra the dynasty's reputed capital, but historians dispute whether it was in fact the Gupta capital, and even the dynasty's own homeland region is uncertain. Start YearThe empire's own lead dating is century level, mid third to mid sixth century CE; 250 and 550 are representative years within those centuries, not exact founding or end dates (matching the dating convention already used on the sibling Gupta Golden Age era entity, 270883). End YearThe empire's own lead dating is century level, mid third to mid sixth century CE; 250 and 550 are representative years within those centuries, not exact founding or end dates (matching the dating convention already used on the sibling Gupta Golden Age era entity, 270883). Government Type Government type (class) Classification
Status (Extant or Former) Connections
In the Other Atlases
- Also in Society and Culture Atlas: Monarchy, government type there.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Gupta Empire
WikipediaLead section, paragraph 1
The Gupta Empire was an Indian empire during the classical period of the Indian subcontinent which existed from the mid 3rd century to mid 6th century CE. At its peak, the dynasty ruled over an empire that spanned much of the northern Indian subcontinent.
Infobox, government field
Monarchy
Origins section
Proponents of the Magadha origin note that Magadha is location of the dynasty's reputed capital, Pataliputra. Critics point out that it is not certain if Pataliputra was indeed the dynasty's capital.
Lead section, paragraph 1, start date
existed from the mid 3rd century to mid 6th century CE
The Gupta Empire: Status
The Gupta Empire was an Indian empire of the classical period of the Indian subcontinent, existing from the mid third to the mid sixth century CE and at its peak ruling much of the northern Indian subcontinent.
View the Source Frequently Asked Questions
Was Pataliputra really the capital of the Gupta Empire?
Pataliputra is the reputed capital of the Gupta Empire; historians dispute it.
Pataliputra is usually named as the Gupta capital, but historians treat that as reputed rather than certain. Scholars who argue the dynasty came from Magadha point to Pataliputra as its reputed capital, while critics note it is not certain that Pataliputra was indeed the capital. The empire itself existed from the mid third to the mid sixth century CE, and the question of where power was centered is part of a wider debate about the dynasty's origins.
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