India’s Golden Age
The Gupta Empire was named after the Gupta dynasty which ruled approximately between 320- 550 CE. The Gupta dynasty period is regarded as the Golden Age of
Universities: Nalanda University
Stop-1:30
Literature
The Puranas ("Ancient Lore") was a collection of Hindu legends that taught the lessons of the Vedas, or sacred Hindu texts,
through tales of sages and kings. These stories had been
Manu and the fish:
Adapted from the Puranas.Story: Subba Rao | Illustration: Goutam P Sen
Manu lived in a cottage on the banks of a river. He was a sage respected by all. In fact, people hailed him as their ruler. But Manu continued to live a simple life. He befriended every — man and animal. He would pay
attention to plants and trees, collecting seeds of any new one he came across.
The next day, he found that the fish had grown bigger. He transferred it to a vessel. By the next day the fish had grown too big for the vessel. Manu had to put it in a tank behind his cottage. But the tank too turned out to be too small for the fish the next day. Manu carried it to the sea. “You are strong enough to take care of yourself, friend,” said Manu. “Go. May God be with you.”
“I’ll ever remember your kindness. Should you ever need help, I’ll be there for you,” said the fish as it swam away.
A few months later, all of a sudden it started raining heavily. Water started rising. It reached the ankles first, then the knees and soon you could swim in it. But the rain showed no signs of stopping.
Manu got worried. He started building a boat. Other people joined him and together they built a huge boat. As the water continued to rise, Manu loaded all the grains and all the seeds he had collected. He called out to
build the boat got into it along with Manu. The entire land was now covered with water. The boat was carried by a swift current and soon it headed out to the sea.
The sea was rough. Giant waves shook the boat. Manu thought that all was lost. Then he spotted his friend, the fish, swimming towards the boat. The fish had grown a huge horn.
The fish swam for days and nights until the rain
subsided. By that time, it had reached the Himalayas. Its foothills were submerged under the water. But the
mountains themselves were above it.
“I’ll leave now, Manu,” said the fish. “Wait till the water recedes and then begin a new life.”
Soon the water receded. Manu and his men settled down at the foothills of the Himalayas. All the trees were
washed away in the flood. Manu threw the seeds he had brought. Once gain the earth was covered with green
plants. Animals ran in joy and birds sang. The earth was reborn, thanks to Manu and the Fish.
Painting and sculpture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InmFDhVyszw
Instructions: You and your partner(s) will go
from station to station to read more in depth about
achievements of the Gupta Empire.
Each group will prepare to present new
information from the station you are on when I
give the cue.
●
Give a brief summary of information. IN YOUR
OWN WORDS.
Write an outline for a paragraph answering the question, “why is the period during the Gupta Empire known as a ‘golden age’?”.
Topic Sentence:
Introduce the Gupta Empire, when and where it existed,
the idea that it was a golden age
and define the term “golden age” in your own words.
State why you think it is considered a golden age and support with evidence.
Explain why you think the Gupta period is considered a golden age. Support your answer by listing all areas in which advances were
made.