1. HISTORY OF INDIA Medieval Times
GUPTA DYNASTY
300 –550 A.D.

2. Timeline of History Vedic Civilization : 5000 B.C.
Indus & Saraswati Civilizations : B.C.
Birth of Jainism and Buddhism B.C.
Golden Age of Indian Unity & Govt : Mauryan Dynasty : B.C.
Golden Age of Indian Arts & Sciences : Gupta Dynasty : A.D.
Regional Kingdoms and Muslim Invasions : 700 – 1200 A.D.
The Mughal Empire : A.D.
The British East-India Company : 1600 A.D.
The British Empire : A.D.
India's Freedom Struggle :
Independence : 1947
Modern India 2020 Vision : 20th and 21st Century

3. Golden Age of Arts and Culture
SUMMARY
Emperors: Samudragupta , Chandragupta II, and Harshavardhan
Kalidasa who composed Shakuntala was during this era.
Ajanta and Ellora cavtemples were erected.
Gold coins were minted es and lots of temples were built.
Sarnath and Mathura during this time.
Harsha was supporter of Buddhism and Hinduism.
Nalanda University and Banaras University were setup during this time

4. ChandraGupta II Vikramaditya (375 – 415 A.D.)
Hierarchy of Rulers
Samudra Gupta (335 – 375 A.D.)
ChandraGupta II Vikramaditya (375 – 415 A.D.)
Chandragupta I (320 – 335 A.D.)
Kumar Gupta (415 – 445 A.D.)
Harsha Vardhana (606– 647A.D.)

5. Chandragupta I
Chandragupta was a chieftain who married Kumaradevi and inherited a small kingdom.
Eventually he expanded to become the King of Magadha. His kingdom was limited to that region.

6. Samudragupta
Son of Chandragupta I. Crowned Samudragupta to be the King for his abilities even though he was not the eldest.
He was very adventurous and led his army across the 4800 km span of India and conquered kingdoms along the way.
Performed Ashawamedha Yagna (Horse Sacrifice) and proclaimed himself Emperor.
Very talented in musical instrument of Veena.
Study of art, literature, and science flourished.
Buddhist monastry at Bodh Gaya was built.

7. Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
He extended his rule in every direction but South. He added the title to his name: Vikramaditya (Son of Power).
Hindus still call Vikram Samvat: i.e. beginning of the year of his kingdom.
All his achievements are inscribed on famous iron pillar in Delhi which remain clear even today.
Established direct trade with Egypt and other western countries.
Yagnavalka rishi, Kalidasa lived during this time.
Paintings in Ajanta and Ellora caves are from this era.
Fa Hien, the Chinese pilgirm spent 11 years during this time studying Sanskrit and wrote about prosperity.

8. Kumargupta I
Further expanded the kingdom and performed Ashwamedh Yagna.
No other exceptional achievements are noted during this time.

9. Harsha Vardhana
Harsha Vardhana became King of Thanesar, north of Delhi in 606 A.D.
He was only 16 when he ascended the throne, but eventually ruled most of North India from Kathiawar to Bengal for 41 years. Defeated Hun invaders.
Hiuen Tsan, the famous Chinese traveler has recorded his achievements from 630 to 640 A.D.
Nalanda and Banaras University were the most flourishing schools of learning during his time.
He was a supporter of Hinduism and Buddhism. After his death Buddhism lost vitality in India.

10. Kalidasa Great poet and Dramatist.
Considered the chief of the nine gems of Vikramaditya’s court.
Famous drama ‘Shakuntala’ and ‘Meghdoot’.
The name ‘Bharat’ came from the classic ‘Shakuntala’.
Sakuntala Story:
Sakuntala had married King Dusyanta when he was in forest. He gave her engagement ring. …..
She lost the engagement ring and the curse of the sage that her husband would fail to recognize her until he sees the ring. Then Sakuntala prayed to her mother Menaka, a goddess to take her away. A son was born while she was with her mother. In the meantime, a fisherman found the king’s ring when he cut open a fish he had caught!! He at once rushed to the king and delivered the ring into the king’s hand. All the past memories about Sakuntala rushed into the king’s mind, and made him desolate for his misconduct. He was invited by Indra, the king of gods to help him in a fight against his enemies. There in the heavenly kingdom, he recognized his son, who was playing with a cub of a lion, and he was reconciled to his wife Sakuntala. That son, Bharata became the first emperor of India; and his name has been given to the country India.

11. Administration As efficient as Mauryan empire.
Huge military and spy network supported the Emperors.

12. Trade Commerce as well as works of art flourished in the Gupta Era.
Sea borne trade from Bengal to Ceylon and China was prevalent.
South Vietnam was a Hindu kingdom name Fu-Nan.
India also had trade relations with Rome.
State owned all the salt and mines and operated industrial enterprises like royal mint, munitions factory, gold and silver workshops, and weaving and spinning mills.

13. Golden Age of Culture and Arts
Royal support gave funding to build Hindu temples dedicated to worship of Gods like Siva, Visnu, and Divine Mother Durga.
This period is noted for the development of cave art and sculpture. Ajanta’s cave paintings and sculptures of human figures are historic mementoes of the people’s life during the Gupta period.
Science, Mathematics, Painting, Sculpture and Music reached the climax of development.

14. Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta caves are located 65 miles NE of Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
They are 30 in number and were originally were carved in 3rd century BC under Buddhist sway. Under Gupta empire they were expanded. The last of the caves was built in seventh century.
The caves are rock-cut temples with frescoes built by Buddhist monks. All the caves have Buddhist theme.
The caves are of two types: chaityas or temples, and viharas or monasteries.

15. Ajanta Caves
They were discovered in 1819 by British Military officers during their maneuvers.
The older ones (200 BC)are built by followers of 'lesser vehicle' or Hinayana Buddhism (no direct depiction of Buddha but symbolically represent using stupas, footprints, trees and elephants).
The newer ones after 100AD are followers of ‘greater vehicle’ or Mahayana Buddhism which have larger-than-life depiction of Buddha.
Most famous caves are #1, 16, 17, 19.

16. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #1: Last one completed around 5th century AD. Best example of Vihara architecture with an ornate facade, carved columns, an impressive front hall divided by sculpted pillars and a large image of the Buddha.
Cave #16: has some of Ajanta's best painting and offers the best view of the whole area. It is also possible that this was the principal entrance to the whole temple complex.
Cave #17: has the absolute finest in terms of condition, quantity and quality.
Cave #19: has been called "the sculptor's treasure chest" especially by virtue of the profusion of exquisite carvings on the facade

17. The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face
Ajanta Caves contd..
The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face

18. The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face
Ajanta Caves contd..
The Ajanta Caves are carved into a cliff face

19. The Ajanta Caves Walkway
Ajanta Caves contd..
The Ajanta Caves Walkway

20. Ajanta Caves contd..
Transportation
Walkway

21. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave 1

22. Cave #1: Paintings inside the cave
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #1: Paintings inside the cave

23. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #4: Entrance

24. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #7: Buddha

25. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #7: Sculpture

26. Cave#7: Miracles of Saraswati
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#7: Miracles of Saraswati
Cave#10: Pillar and Wall

27. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#9: Entrance
Cave#10: Stupa

28. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave # 12: Buddha Statue

29. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#11: Buddha
Cave#16: Buddha

30. Cave #13: Monks bed chambers
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #13: Monks bed chambers

31. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #17 Entrance

32. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#19: Entrance

33. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#19: The famous horseshoe shaped window

34. Cave#19: Exterior Sculpture
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#19: Exterior Sculpture
Cave#19: Stupa

35. Cave#19: Pillar carvings and Sculpture
Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave#19: Pillar carvings and Sculpture

36. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #20: Inside View

37. Ajanta Caves contd..
Cave #26: Sculpture

38. Scenes from Jataka Tales
Ajanta Caves contd..
Scenes from Jataka Tales

39. Scenes from Jataka Tales
Ajanta Caves contd..
Scenes from Jataka Tales

40. Scenes from Jataka Tales
Ajanta Caves contd..
Scenes from Jataka Tales