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The famous Gupta Empire was an ancient empire in India. Existing from the early 4th century CE to the late 6th century CE, it covered the Indian subcontinent significantly. Historians consider the Gupta period as the Golden Age of India. King Sri Gupta founded the ruling dynasty of the empire, and some of the most notable rulers of the Gupta dynasty were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II. Chandragupta II was also popularly known as Vikramaditya.
The renowned Sanskrit poet Kalidasa credited the Guptas to have conquered about 21 kingdoms. These 21 kingdoms were from both in and outside of India. The period is also appreciated for finding various ways to flourish factory production.
The Gupta Empire
The origin-country of the Guptas is not yet certain. According to one hypothesis, they started in the present-day lower-Doab locale of Uttar Pradesh, where the more significant part of the engravings and coins of the early Gupta rulers were discovered. This hypothesis is additionally upheld by the Purana, as contended by the proponents, that notice the region of the early Gupta rulers as Prayaga, Saketa, and Magadha regions in the Ganges basin.
The Gupta records don’t specify their varna (social class). Few historians, like A.S. Altekar, has guessed that they were of Vaishya class, as specific antiquated Indian texts recommend the name “Gupta” for the individuals from the Vaishya varna. Whereas some, like S.R. Goyal hypothesizes that the Guptas were Brahmanas since they had wedding relations with Brahmans, others reject this proof as inconclusive.
Contributions of the Guptas in the Fields of Science and Technology
Development in Science and technology was immensely appreciated in ancient India. The scientists and astronomists of the Gupta period made numerous significant contributions to the field. Although undoubtedly it is one of the most exemplary contributions that they discovered that there were seven planets in the solar system, it is not the only appreciable one. The scientists in the Gupta empire made numerous other contributions to Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, astrology, chemistry, zoology, botany, and metallurgy.
Contributions in the field of Mathematics
The Gupta Period scientists made some of the most notable contributions to the field of Mathematics. The most significant of these contributions was the decimal system of notation discovery. Based on the principle of the place value of the first nine numbers, this notation system also depended upon the use of zero. This ancient Indian empire also saw Geometry attaining great heights. It was because of the numerous theorems related to circles and triangles. Still, the most appreciated work in Mathematics was by the Aryabhatta scientists in the Gupta Empire. In 499 AD, the Aryabhatta scientists in the Gupta Empire wrote the Aryabhattiyam. It was majorly about algebra, geometry, and mathematics. The list of achievements of the Gupta empire in the field of Mathematics does not end here, as the period also witnessed the cultivation of Trigonometry. The period is also said to have witnessed the rise of Indians over the Greeks as far as Mathematics is concerned.
Achievements in the field of Medicine
When it comes to medicine, the most important works were the Charaka Samhita by Charaka and the Sushruta Samhita by Susruta. The two placed high ideals for physicians and suggested that a physician must be a yogi and not charge high for his prescriptions. They suggested that a physician should be kind and support mankind, i.e., he must not be partial to people based on their social class or economical status. During the Gupta period, the process of distillation and the use of disinfectants was discovered by Nagarjuna. By now, the smallpox vaccination was also introduced. The surgical field also noticed a rise as the doctors could amputate and improve deformed ears and noses. Numerous surgical instruments were developed.
Astronomy under the Gupta Empire
The principal astronomers of this period were Varahamihira and Aryabhatta. One of the notable discoveries by Aryabhatta was that the moon comes over the shadow of the earth or between the earth, which caused the eclipses. He is known to be much more advanced than the astronomers of Europe, and he soon began composing his work Panchasiddhahtikain 505 AD. The astronomers and scientists of the Gupta period are also credited with the achievement they discovered that there were seven planets in the solar system.
Contributions to the Astrological Field
The Vriddhi Garga Samhita, an assortment of old-fashioned Indian learning and sciences, is the leading work before Varahamihira’s Brihat Samhita. Other than the areas on astrology in the Brihat Samhita, Varahamihira likewise made four different works related to astrology, which manage favourable muhurtas for marriage, and propitious omens for the endeavours of lords and the hour of man’s birth to the world, and its effect on his future.
Chemistry and Metallurgy under the Gupta Empire
Although no books from the Gupta age are found related to Chemistry and metallurgy, Nagarjuna is considered a great chemist. Also, the Iron Pillar near Qutub Minar from the Gupta period depicts the metallurgical skills of the people of that time.
Conclusion
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire known for the great rulers of the Gupta dynasty. But, the Gupta period is also significant to study due to its numerous contributions to the world of Science, technology, art, and architecture. The period also witnessed the flourishing of factory production. Hence, not only the rulers of the Gupta dynasty are worth studying; the scientists, astronomers, physicians, artists, architects, astronomists, and astrologists must also be appreciated for their significant contributions to their respective fields.
