Gupta Empire

Gupta Empire was an empire in Gangetic plain and Nepal (South Asia) that lasted from c. 320 to 550 CE, about 230 years. Its people spoke Indo-Aryan languages (Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala).

Chandragupta I, Samudragupta and Chandragupta II built an empire across north India. It is remembered for Kalidasa's Sanskrit poetry, Aryabhata's astronomy and the founding of Nalanda; Hun invasions and breakaway governors brought it down.

See Gupta Empire on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

c. 320 to 550 CE

Duration

230 years

Type

Empire

Region

Gangetic plain and Nepal, South Asia

Language family

Indo-Aryan

Capital

Pataliputra, Ujjain

Came from

• Western Satraps c. 35 to 415 CE

Events in South Asia during its time

• 499 Aryabhata writes the Aryabhatiya

Neighbours in South Asia

• Kushan Empire c. 30 to 375 CE
• Anuradhapura Kingdom 377 BCE to 1017 CE
• Pallava dynasty c. 275 to 897 CE
• Western Satraps c. 35 to 415 CE
• Vakataka dynasty c. 250 to 500 CE
• Chalukyas of Badami 543 to 753 CE
• Hephthalite Empire c. 450 to 560 CE
• Kamarupa c. 350 to 1140 CE
• Western Ganga dynasty c. 350 to 1000 CE
• Yaudheya confederacy c. 200 BCE to 350 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
• Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
• Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
• Sasanian Empire 224 to 651 CE, Middle East
• Roman Empire 27 BCE to 395 CE, Europe
• Hunnic Empire c. 370 to 469 CE, Europe

Questions