1. The Gupta Empire
Seat work
Students will quietly enter the room, find your seats and discuss your three sticky notes on pages with your row group.

2. The Gupta Empire
After the Maurya empire fell what empire reunited India?
The Gupta Empire
Under which Emperor did this empire reached its greatest size?
Chandra Gupta II.
What religion did this empire favor?
Hinduism

3. The Gupta Empire
Which Late Gupta numerals look most similar to those numerals we use today?
Explain to students that in this section, they will read about Gupta achievements in mathematics, literature, art, astronomy, medicine, and metallurgy. Remind students that this chart is also in the Student Edition.

4. Key Ideas The Gupta dynasty created the second major Indian empire.
The Gupta Empire
Key Ideas
The Gupta dynasty created the second
major Indian empire.
The Guptas ruled an India that made
advances in the arts, science, and
mathematics, including our modern system
of numerals.

5. Key Terms citizenship—a status with political rights and obligations
The Gupta Empire
Key Terms
citizenship—a status with political rights and
obligations
numeral—a symbol used to represent a
number
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the India’s Empires chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

6. Key Terms decimal system—a counting system based on units of ten
The Gupta Empire
Key Terms
decimal system—a counting system based
on units of ten
metallurgy—the science that deals with
extracting metal from ore and using it to create
useful objects
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the India’s Empires chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

7. A New Empire in India After the Maurya empire fell, India broke into
The Gupta Empire
A New Empire in India
After the Maurya empire fell, India broke into
small, warring kingdoms.
These kingdoms traded with China, Southeast
Asia, and the Roman empire.
After 500 years, northern India was united
again into one empire—the Gupta.

8. The Gupta Empire
Who were the first three Gupta rulers, and what areas did they conquer?
First Gupta Rulers
As students complete this graphic organizer, have them study the map of the Gupta empire in Section 2 of this chapter.

9. A New Empire in India The Gupta empire reached its greatest size
under Chandra Gupta II.
Like Ashoka, Chandra Gupta II tried to bring
peace and prosperity to India.
Instead of trying to rule their entire empire
directly, the Guptas allowed local leaders to
make decisions.

10. A New Empire in India What people served on the council in villages?
The Gupta Empire
A New Empire in India
What people served on the council in villages?
What are guilds?
Why were guilds important to city government?

11. A New Empire in India People living in the Maurya and Gupta empires
The Gupta Empire
A New Empire in India
People living in the Maurya and Gupta empires
were subjects, with a duty to obey the emperor.
Yet some people in the Gupta empire also had
a kind of citizenship, with political rights and
obligations.
The last Gupta ruler died around A.D. 540.

12. A Rich Culture Literature, painting, architecture, and other
The Gupta Empire
A Rich Culture
Literature, painting, architecture, and other
culture flourished under the Guptas.
Much of the art was religious.
Although Buddhism remained important, the
Guptas favored Hinduism.

13. A Rich Culture The greatest writer of the time was the poet and
The Gupta Empire
A Rich Culture
The greatest writer of the time was the poet and
playwright Kalidasa.
Dancers created works based on Hindu
literature.
Musicians played stringed instruments and
drums.

14. A Rich Culture Drama often combined dance, music, and stories.
The Gupta Empire
A Rich Culture
Drama often combined dance, music, and stories.
The game of chess was invented under the
Guptas and spread to Asia, the Middle East,
and Europe.
Artisans created beautiful Hindu and Buddhist
temples, monasteries, and sculptures.

15. Mathematics and Science
The Gupta Empire
Mathematics and Science
Gupta scholars developed the concept of zero,
the decimal system, and numerals that we use
today.
With the new Indian system of numerals and the
decimal system, operations such as
multiplication and division became much easier.
Aryabhata was an important Indian astronomer
and mathematician.

16. What mathematical and astronomical discoveries did Aryabhata make?
The Gupta Empire
What mathematical and astronomical discoveries did Aryabhata make?
Aryabhata’s Discoveries
Mathematics •
Astronomy
Have students read the red subheads A New World of Mathematics and Astronomy before completing this graphic organizer.

17. Mathematics and Science
The Gupta Empire
Mathematics and Science
Indian doctors developed a system of medicine
known as Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic medical textbooks described
diseases, medicines, and treatments.
Gupta artisans improved metallurgy and
produced high-quality metal compounds.

18. Mathematics and Science
The Gupta Empire
Mathematics and Science
What advances in medicine did
Indian doctors make?
Why would producing metals of great purity be
considered an important skill by Gupta rulers?

19. Religion did not influence…
The Gupta Empire
Which aspects of Gupta civilization were connected to religion? Which were not?
Gupta Civilization
Religion influenced…
Religion did not influence…