Golden Age Myth

The colonial historians like Vincent A.
Smith of British India dubbed ancient India as a ‘dark age’,

which enabled the Britishers to divide and rule India. In their reaction, The nationalists historians
like R.C.Mazumdar, H.C. Raychaudhuri exaggerated the achievements of ancient India and coined
the term ‘golden age’ for the Gupta period. To the nationalists, the Gupta period surpassed all other
periods in ancient Indian history in its achievements in political unity, economic prosperity, art,
architecture and literature. In the post-independence era, the Marxist historians in a critique of the
nationalist historiography postulated the theory of ‘Indian Feudalism’ from the Gupta period
onwards. The Marxist historians R.S. Sharma, D.N. Jha etc. propounded that the Guptas began with
the regular practice of landgrants to brahmanas with fiscal privileges and the post-Gupta rulers
gave away administrative and judicial rights along with fiscal rights initially to brahmanas temples
and on to officials and even to merchants. Hence, the Guptas and their successors including Harsha
perpetuated a feudal political structure in which landed intermediaries ruled rural society and
politically fragmented and decentralized India. Due to this, trade and urbanization declined in the
post-Gupta period and exploited peasantry with increasing burden of taxes. Obnoxious practices like
Tantricism marked the cultural and religious aspects of Indian feudalism. Opposed to this, B.D.
Chattopadhyaya propagated integrative model of state formation and argued that landgrants to
brahmanas and temples legitimized the exercise of royal authority in the countryside and hence,
integrated the territorial units and chiefs Into the emerging local, sub-regional and regional state
Historians who expounded the theory of the Golden Age, suggest that the Gupta period was a time
in history when virtually every manifestation of life reached a peak of excellence. It was an age of
peace and prosperity which initiated a period known as the Golden Age of India, marked by
extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature,
logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy.
It was a period of Political stability and Unification. After centuries, A powerful force could protect
the country from foreign invasion including that of Hunas and crushing internal revolts. The ruler
never exercised their power as autocratic dictators. They followed the notion of Welfare state. Trade
and commerce flourished during this time and there are hardly any evidences of criminal activities
and minimal punishment was given most of the time.
This period marks the Revival of BRAHMANICAL Cult. There were several developments in all of the
major religions. Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, Tantrism developed in Hinduism. Vajrayana sect or
Tantric Buddhism also evolved during this. This time also saw the shift from rituals to devotion. All
Religions received patronage from the monarchs. Sanskrit was accepted as the religious language
not only in Hinduism but also in Buddhism and Jainism.
Special emphasis was given to the education and was provided to both males and females.
Universities like Nalanda, Ujjain, Sarnath, Vikramshila received financial grants.
The Gupta age produced Great Scholars of Sanskrit, Thinkers, Philosophers and men of letters. To
name a few, Kalidas also called as Shakespeare of India wrote poems, Plays, Dramas.
Abhijnanashakuntalam, Mahakavya-raghuvamsa are some of his famous works. Vishakhadatt’s
Mudrarakshas and DeviChandraguptam, Harisen’s prayag Prashasti, Panchatantra by Pt. Vishnu
Sharma are some of the other fine works. Puranas and other religious literary works were revised
and rewritten during this time only. A number of Philosophical works and commentaries were
produced during this time.
We have ample amount of evidences to show tremendous advancement in the fields of Astronomy,
Astrology, Mathematics, Ayurveda, Science, Metallurgy. Aryabhatta, Varahmira and Brahmagupt
were some of the famous Astronomers and Mathematicians. Earth revolves around the sun,
Arithmetic, Decimal system, zero and a lot more.
During this time, Ayurveda or Indian science of medicine became more popular. Physicians and
surgeons were present inlarge number to provide adequate health. Varahmira wrote brihatt samhita
dealing with astrology, Maths, Botany, Natural sciences etc and was deeply interested in the art of
Metallurgy. He provided techniques to facilitate the production of steel. One of the finest example is
Iron Pillar at Mehrauli.
This era also saw enormous growth and development of art and architecture. The Rock-cut/Cave
architecture reached at its peak during Gupta Age. Buddhist architecture consisted of two structures
– VIHARAS AND CHAITYAS. Some of the finest examples of this are Ajanta and Ellora caves. During
this time, Sculptures, Terracotta art, paintings, dance and music, all developed significantly.
Since Indian civilization had early been characterized as Hindu and Sanskritic, the initial spread of
brahmanical culture as ‘high’ culture on large scale was described as golden period. Now that
historians are commenting on all aspects of society, the notion of a uniformly Golden Age that
encompasses an entire society has been questioned. The description of a Golden Age reflected the
life of the wealthy and their activities alone characterized such an age. There are at least three
epochs when artistic and literary expression achieved impressive standards – the post-Mauryan and
Gupta period; the Cholas; and the Mughals. Deccan region also showed striking evolution of
cultures. The classicism of the Gupta period is not an innovation emanating from Gupta rule but the
culmination of a process that began earlier. It is important to note that the PHRASE: REVIVAL OF
SANSKRIT is absolutely false as Sanskrit literature never disappeared altogether. Though it is said
that there was prosperity in the society, it is only true for the elite classes. The struggle of lower
classes continued during this era also. Fa Xian mentions Untouchable, deprived of all the privilege
and were looked down upon. The condition of women was not very good and during this time only,
First incident of SATI is reported from Iran. Land Grants made Feudal lords more powerful and they
exercised complete control over their subjects. Though new cities appeared on the scenes, The
Ancient cities collapsed. Trade collapsed during this time. The description of the Gupta period as one
of classicism is relatively correct regarding the upper classes that lived well according to descriptions
in their literature and representations in their art. The more accurate, literal evidence that comes
from archaeology suggests a less glowing lifestyle for the majority. Materially, excavated sites
suggest that the average standard of living may have been higher in the preceding period.

Golden Age Myth

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Golden Age Myth

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Golden Age Myth

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The colonial historians like Vincent A.

Smith of British India dubbed ancient India as a ‘dark age’,

You might also like