INDIA BETWEEN 400 CE AND 700 CE.......

• Ancient History
• History
• Secondary Education
• Age 11,12

Expected Learning Outcomes-:

1. We will focus on the significant changes that took places in India between 400 CE and 700 CE.

2. We will highlight the rule of Guptas, Pallavas, Chalukyas  and Pushyabhuti dynasty.

3. We will understand what factors contributed to the prosperity of the Gupta period.

4. What other changes took place in india in the 6th and 7th centuries.

Golden Age 

The period between 320 CE and 550 CE is referred a the time of prosperity and peace, when art and literature flourished and many innovations were made. 

This period was known as Golden Age. The ruling force of the time of the Golden Age was the Gupta Dynasty.

The Gupta Kings

GrandFather of Chandragupta I, Sri Gupta was the founder of Gupta Dynasty.  The three most prominent rulers in the gupta dynasty are -: 

1. Chandragupta I

2. Samudragupta I 

3. Chandragupta II 

Chandragupta I 

1. Took the title of Maharajadhiraja (King of Kings)

2. Ruled for 15 years and was succeeded was 

his son Samudragupta.

3. Gained Control of Magadha by marrying Lichchavi princess.

4. Expanded his kingdom to include 

Ayodhya and Allahabad.

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It was a time of prosperity and peace, when art and culture flourished and many innovations and inventions were made This period is known as _____

1. Stone Age
2. Gupta Period
3. Golden Age
4. Pushyabhuti period

Who married Lichchavi Princess?

1. Chandragupta
2. Chandragupta III
3. Chandragupta I
4. Chandragupta II

What was the relation of Chandragupta I and Sri Gupta ??

I defeated 12 southern rulers.
Who am I??

1. Vikramaditya
2. Chandragupta II
3. Samudragupta

Deafed Saka Rulers to expand westwards and made Ujjain his capital. This helped him gain control over seaports.

1. Samudragupta
2. Chandragupta II
3. Chandragupta I

The Extends Of The Empire

These Rulers succeeded and  extended their empire over Anuganga (along the Ganges in the mid-Gangetic basin), Prayag (morden Allahabad),  Saketa (Morden Ayodhya) and Magadha.

The Advantages They Enjoyed 

1. The centre of their operations laid in the fertile land of the Northern Plains.

2. They were also able to exploit the iron ores of the Chota Nagpur plateau.

3. Took advantages of their proximity to the areas that conducted the silk

 trade with the Roman Empire.

4. The peace and prosperity created under the leadership of the Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artist and endeavor.

Prayag is known as ??

1. Morden Allahabad
2. Saket
3. Morden Ayodhya
4. Magadha

Were they able to exploit the iron ores of The Malwa Plateau?

1. True
2. False

Did Gupta’s had control over Silk Route.

1. True
2. False

Administration 

The Guptas were a monarchy. The administration was decentralised. 

Empire (Headed By The King)

Province or Bhukti (Headed By A Governor Or Uparika)

District or Vishaya (Headed By Vishyapati)

Village (Headed By Village Headman, Helped By The Elders)

Taxation

Many taxes were imposed on land.  1/4 to 1/6 of land revenue was collected as tax. Unlike in the Mauryan empire, the officials were not paid salaries in cash, but received land grants. This reduced the power of the king as he had less land under his control.

Trade 

Internal and external trade flourished during this period. 

Farmers and artisans produced and sold their goods in local market. The material was also exported to the Eastern Roman Empire, East Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia.

In Gupta administration Province/Bhukti was headed by?

1. King
2. Uparika
3. Vishyapati
4. All of the above

________ and _______ trade flourished during Gupta period.

Art and Literature

The Guptas rulers loved and encouraged art and architecture. 

Paintings, Stupas, cave art , carved pillars were found in abundance.

Paintings 

Much of the Gupta paintings were based on Buddhism. The most famous paintings are in the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra. 

These works of art depict the  life of Buddha and stories from Jataka tales. 

Sculpture

The art of sculpting was perfect during this period. Most of these were religious works (mostly of Hindu deities and Buddhist monks). Mathura and Gandhara were the two great centres for sculpting.

Temples

The Gupta rulers built many Hindu temples with intricate sculptures.                                               Shiva Temple at Bhumara (MP)

The two great centres for sculpting ........

Where is the Shiva Temple located??

1. Madhya Pradesh
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Kalinga (Odisha)
4. Maharashtra

Science

Significant scientific advancements were made in different branches of science during the Gupta period.

Aryabhatta was a famous mathematician and astronomer who lived during this period.

Achievements of Aryabhatta

1. The calculation of the duration of a solar year.

2. The Earth as a sphere rotating on its axis.

3. The cause of eclipses.

4. The decimal system.

5. The concept of zero. 

Medicine

There were many advanced system in medicine. Medical books written during the period reveal that physicians were aware of the working of the human anatomy and surgical practises.  Susruta was a famous physician who performed the first surgical in india. 

Mork of Ayurvedic medicines were also written during this period.

Which is not a achievements of Aryabhatta

1. Concept Of 0
2. The cause of eclipse
3. The calculation of the duration of a solar system .
4. Ayurvedic Medicines

Who was the famous physician who was believed to have performed the first surgery in India?

1. Banabhatta
2. Susruta
3. Aryabhatta
4. Kalidas

Education

 Medicenies, grammer, astronomy, philosophy and Vedic literature were taught here. The Nalanda University was the most popular centre for learning and even attracted attracted international students.

Literature

Many plays, epics and stories were written during the period. Kalidas wrote famous plays like Meghaduta and Raghuvamsa. The Puranas comprising stories about hindu gods and goddesses was said to have  been compiled during this time.

Famous plays written by Kalidas.

India in the 6th and 7th centuries

In the middle of 6th century, the Gupta Empire declined. A number of smaller kingdoms were once again established in North India. They were always at war with each other.

It took another efficient king to bring these kingdoms under his control and unify them once again.  

King Harshavardhana

In 606 CE when a 16 years old boy ascended the throne at Thaneswar (Kurukshetra, Haryana). He was Harshavardhana who belonged to a dynasty called Pushbhutti. 

He stretched his empire across north India. 

He conquered many lands including Bihar, Bengal, East Punjab, UP, Assam,Eastern Punjab, Odisha and Eastern Rajasthan. 

Kannauj replaced Pataliputra as the capitaland centre of power.

When was the Gupta Empire declined??

1. In the middle of 5th century
2. In the middle 7th Century
3. In the middle of 6th century
4. In The middle of 320 CE to 550 CE

Morden Name Of Thaneswar

1. Ambala
2. Kurukshetra
3. Patna
4. Odisha

Why did Harsha replaced Kannauj as the capital of Pushyabhuti Dynasty.

Peace

He fought many wars, him main aim was to establish peace and order in the kingdom.

Art and Literature

Harsha was a great patron of art and literature. He wrote three plays in Sanskrit- Ratnavali, Priyadarshika and Nagananda.

The Nalanda University became a great centre for Buddhist learning.

His court poet Banabhatta wrote the Harshacharita which is main source about the king.

What were the name of the plays written by Harsha and in which language they were written??

________ was Harsha's court poet and wrote _________ which is the main source of information about the king.

Religion

He encouraged the spread of Buddhism and build many stupas. He was tolerant of all religions.

He ruled for 41 years. He died in 647 CE, there was no one succeed him. The empire once again collapsed into smaller states.

The Deccan Kings

Gupta's and Harsha's rule did not extend to the southern parts of India. During this period, South India saw the rise of the Pallava and Chalukya dynasties who constantly fought for supremacy.

Pallavas

The Pallavas occupied Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh up to the Kaveri Delta. Kanchipuram was its capital and was also known as Golden city of Pallavas because it was the home to many beautiful temples and was a great centre for learning as well.

Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I were the two  prominent Pallavas kings.

When did Harshavardhana died?

1. 710 CE
2. 647 CE
3. 680 CE
4. 455 CE

Who was the son of Mahendravarman I?

1. Harshavardhana
2. Pulkesin II
3. Narasimhavarman I
4. Narasimhavarman II

For how many years did Harshavardhana rule ??

1. 41 years
2. 47 years
3. 42 years
4. 55 years

The 2 most prominent kings in the Pallava dynasty.

Culture

They encouraged art, music, literature and architecture. The building of the rock-cut temples of South India were initiated By Maherdravarnam and completed by the son. The Pallavas were 

master builders -

The magnificent Shore Temple is located at -

1. Mahabalipuram
2. Kanchipuram
3. Aihole
4. Jaisalmer

Where is Kailasanatha Temple located ??

1. Vatapi
2. Mahabalipuram
3. Kanchipuram
4. Badami

The decline of Pallavas

The Pallava Empire declined around 890 CE. It was defeated by the Chalukyas (Cholas). Cholas were the first to maintain navy. Indonasia, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was under there control.

Chalukyas 

The Chalukyas ruled over large parts of Deccan from 6th to the 8th century CE. Its capital was at Badami or Vatapi. 

The most famous ruler of this dynasty was Pulakesin II (609CE – 642 CE). He expanded the kingdom from the river Narmada to the river Kaveri (Covering most Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh).

Badami is also known as _______

1. Vatapi
2. UTTARKASHI
3. Surat
4. RAI BAREILLY

Who were the first the maintain navy??

Chalukyas

 Pulakesin II defeated Harshavardhana at the banks of Narmada in 620CE. The Chalukyas were engaged in several battles with pallavas. Pulakesin II defeated Pallava King Mahendravarman I. However,  Narasimhavarman I, defeated Pulakesin II and captured Badami. 

End Of Chalukyas

The Chalukyas were finally defeated by the Rashtrakutas in 753CE. The legacy of the Chalukyas is in the architecture and the art they left behind. The rock cut Temples at Pattadakal, Badami and Aihole are their most famous monuments.

Famous Temples

Rock Cut Temple                                                                                     Rock Cut Temple     at Badami                     Rock Cut Temple at Pattadakal                     at Aihole       

Did Pulakesin I defeated Harshavardhana.

1. True
2. Fasle

______ were first to maintain Navy.

1. Cholas
2. Pallavas
3. Rashtrakuta
4. Chalukyas

Who defeated Chalukyas ??

1. Kushan Dynasty
2. Rashtrakuta Dynasty
3. Ghazni Dynasty
4. Pushyabhuti Dynasty

Where are rock cut temples located ??

1. Jaisalmer and Udaipur
2. Aihole and Badami
3. Vatapi and Badami
4. Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram

The name given to province under the Gupta administration.

List all the reasons for which Kanchipuram was known as the Golden City.

Explain the structure of Gupta administration

Which title did samudragupta I took

1. Vikramaditya
2. Mahendraditya
3. Maharajadhiraja
4. Kramaditya

Who was having the direct control on areas such as Delhi, West up, Assam, Bengal and parts of Afghanistan.

1. Samudragupta I
2. Chandragupta I
3. Harshavardhana
4. Chandragupta II

Hope You Had A Good Experience.