The Gupta Empire ruled much of northern India from its capital at Pataliputra, founded by Chandragupta I and expanded by his son Samudragupta and grandson Chandragupta II. It is often described as a classical age of Indian culture, when Sanskrit literature flourished with writers such as Kalidasa and when mathematicians and astronomers like Aryabhata made notable advances, including work on the decimal place-value system and zero. The iron pillar now in Delhi dates from the period. The Chinese pilgrim Faxian visited India during its height. Invasions by the Huns and the growing independence of regional rulers weakened the empire in the sixth century.
Before and after
- from 304 CE to 439 CESixteen Kingdoms
- 312 CEOrigins of Basilica of Maxentius
- June 313 CEEdict of Milan
- 25 July 315 CEConstruction of Arch of Constantine
- from 320 CE to 550 CEGupta Empire
- 325 CEFirst Council of Nicaea
- 327 CEConstruction of Church of the Nativity
- c. 330 CEKing Ezana converts Aksum to Christianity
- 11 May 330 CEConstantine dedicates Constantinople
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- c. 1,200 BCEIron Age
- c. 700s BCEConstruction of Great Wall of China
- 6th century BCEConstruction of Parthenon
- from 206 BCE to 220 CEHan dynasty
- 81 CEConstruction of Colosseum
- from 476 CE to 1492Middle Ages
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 4th century.