Question

The Gupta age is known as the Golden age in Indian History because
a. They conquered the whole India
b. They helped the poor
c. They invited travellers
d. Art, Culture and Literature flourished

Answer 1

Hint: The Gupta Age was an ancient Indian civilisation which thrived between 3rd century CE to 543 CE, at its zenith, it covered the entire Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta I was the founder of the Gupta Empire and Skandagupta was the last ruler of the empire.

Complete answer: (i) The Gupta age is called the Golden Age of Indian history because art, culture and literature flourished in this period.
(ii) Gupta rulers were patrons of art and literature. For example, Samudragupta was represented on his coins playing the vina and Chandragupta II is credited with maintaining in his court nine luminaries.
(iii) During the Gupta age images of Lord Buddha were made at Sarnath and Mathura, but the finest examples of Buddhist art in the Gupta period are the Ajanta paintings. Although these paintings covered the period from the first century BC to the seventh century AD, most of them are related to Gupta dynasty.
(iv) The Gupta age is remarkable for the production of an extensive literature. For example, Kalidasa was the greatest poet of classical Sanskrit literature and wrote Abhijnanashakuntalam which is very highly regarded in world literature even today and he was from this period. Patronage was also given to the composition of religious literature. The two great epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata were completed by the fourth century AD.
Thus, the correct option is (d).

Note: During the Gupta period a copper structure of Lord Buddha, almost 6 feet in size was constructed. It was excavated at Sultanganj near Bhagalpur and is now exhibited in Birmingham. During the Gupta period, beautiful images of the Buddha were made at Sarnath and Mathura, but the finest models of Buddhist art in Gupta dynasty are the Ajanta paintings.