Why Was the Gupta Empire Called India’s Golden Age?
The Gupta Empire was considered India’s Golden Age due to mathematics advances, such as the concept of zero, medical remedies, plastic surgery and vaccinations. The Gupta Empire was also known for flourishing creative arts, including stories that inspired later works like “Aladdin and his Magic Lamp.”
The Gupta Empire stretched between 320 – 550 C.E. in India, and had doctors who developed vaccinations against smallpox. This was far before both the Chinese, who did not develop vaccinations until the 10th century, and the West, who did not develop vaccines until the 17th century. Gupta stories also included what later became “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.” The story was originally written in Sanskrit and it spread to areas like Egypt, Persia and Greece throughout the centuries. The Gupta Empire began when a ruler named Chandragupta I rose to power. His son was named Samudragupta, and together they began a great empire that was known for a surge in science, literature, mathematics and other creative works rather than simply material wealth. Due to the difficulties and poverty India faced later in its history, many scholars consider Gupta to be a Golden Age, as enlightenment was valued strongly and so many important fields progressed.