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A state and dynasty in northern India of the 4th-5th centuries. Its original territory was located in the area of Magadha. The Gupta rise began with Chandragupta I, who assumed the title of 'the Great King, the King of Kings'. The beginning of the Gupta era is associated with his coronation. The state was further strengthened thanks to the union with the Lichhavi, consolidated by Chandragupta's marriage to Kumaradevi from the influential Lichhavi clan of Nepal. The most extensive conquests were achieved by their son Samudragupta. The most flourishing period coincided with the rule of Chandragupta II, who awarded himself with the title of Vikramaditya. Following the relatively peaceful rule of Kumaragupta I (414-55), under Skandagupta (455-67) the Gupta Empire was attacked by the *Ephtalites. Despite victory over the invaders at the end of the 5th-early 6th century, the Gupta Empire began to fall apart. In the period of its greatest power the Guptas ruled over the entire Gangetic Plain, the *Punjab, Malwa, Gujarat, and Kathiawar. However, many regions of this huge empire were sufficiently autonomous to be ruled by the local dynasties. On the basis of extant inscriptions on buildings it has been established that lands were assigned to monasteries, temples, and Brahmins on a regular basi .

The Gupta Era is characterized by a large-scale colonization of previously ill-developed territories and by growing ties with South-East Asia. The Gupta Empire was visited by Fahsien, a Chinese Buddhist pilgrim. The Guptas encouraged the spread of Hinduism (Vishnuism, Shivaism), and Mahayana Buddhism. According to tradition, some of the more illustrious names among the literati and scholars in ancient India are associated with the Gupta. Among them are the poet Kalidasa, lexicographer Amarasinha, mathematician Aryabhata. The Gupta style in art influenced artists of later eras.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: G.M. Bongard-Levin, G.P. Ilyin, 'Ancient India', Moscow, 1985 (in Russian); D.R. Bhandarkar, 'Inscriptions of the Early Gupta', Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarym, Vol. Ill, Delhi, 1981,. H. Chakraborti, 'India as Reflected in the Inscriptions of Gupta Period', Delhi, 1978; P.L. Gupta, 'The Imperial Guptas', Vol. 1-2, Varanasi, 1974-80; (ed.) B.L. Smith, 'Essays on Gupta Culture', Delhi, 1983.