The Gupta Empire starts from 300-647Ce. The Gupta starts to rise after the other civilizations declines. During the Gupta Empire, Buddha starts going away. The Gupta was mostly Hindu and the structure was more rigid. The Gupta Empire was formed through a marriage between a princess of high lineage and the founder who later named himself Chandra Gupta I to deliberately be remembered. India had no central government for approximately 1000 years. Later in the Gupta India they used Janapas, large political city states of Gupta India. Asoka was a well known Ruler of The Gupta Empire. He built wells, road networks, irrigation systems, and made people convert to Buddhism after he converted to Buddhism. Asoka used policies to extend the empire through military force. India separated after Asoka died.
Gupta India contained Gandharan art. An example of an art piece is, "Lion capitol of the pillar erected by Asoka". They use the sandstones columns for major events. They used "The Bimaran Reliquary" This is a figure of Buddha alongside 2 Hindu Gods. This shows a mixture of religion and how people of Gupta practiced either religions. Religion was usually expressed through art. A plaque of a musician with a lyre was used to decorate the front of temples.
The Gupta "Golden Age" was more for cultural brilliance than political power. Buddhism made the Brahmin caste unimportant. This increased the population and made it more attractive and more people moved there. They had the Laws of Manu for their language (Sanskrit). There was many scholars humanist and artists during this period.
The Huns invaded India and after other invasions, it ended the empire. The Huns presence decreased trade along the Silk road and this also decreased Gupta wealth. The Gupta used the Silk Road for trade. Gold coins that originated from Rome and found in India prove as evidence of trade between Rome and India.
The Indo-Greek invaded India and the culture became hybrid. Very few people profit from the Silk road. They had Guilds; they were a sub caste. They were part of the Vaishya class but they were merchants that had a specialization for a specific thing to control trade and quality. They traveled on the Indian Ocean to trade. They didn't develop a Navy so the merchants were left unprotected against pirates. They traded with spices, cotton, ivory and they were located in the middle of the silk road.
In Gupta society, men had total control over women. Patriarchy got worst in Gupta. Although women were respected in a way; they were respected out of their usefulness to create children. They thought all women seduced men. Women didn't really get a choice for who they were to marry; as long as he was a man; she should be content. They were to give their husbands utmost respect. A woman can have molten glass poured in her ears if she were to accidentally hear the Vedic being recited. Woman couldn't really play a part in religion. Women were never allowed to be independent. They are subject to their fathers than to their husbands. Women had no freedom in this society and they were closely guarded.
After Asoka, Hinduism regained its popularity over Buddhism. Hindu philosophies were in use including the Vedanta. The caste became more important and used in detail. At the top are the Brahmins (Priests), under them there are the Kshatriyas(Warriors and Rulers), under them are the Vaisyas (skilled workers) and below them there are the Sudras ( unskilled workers). Outside of the Caste system are the untouchables. The untouchables are considered dirty and they do the jobs no one wants to do. A good time to visit is during Asoka's time. He made life easier for his people by making wells. A bad time to visit is during the Huns. The Huns created less trade and were threatening.