1.

What can you gleam from the text about the religious background outlook of the Mayuras and
Guptas?

The religion on which the guptas focused was Hinduism. During their Present Hinduism took its
shape. The architecture of temples started to form. The literature shows hints of hindu culture
present in it. The tax money was mostly used to promote Hinduism by building temples etc. On
the other hand Buddhism was the main focus in Mayuras Empire. During this empire the law
and orders were changed so that it doesn’t collide with Buddhism beliefs. The monks were given
expensive gifts bought using the money from taxation. This religion was being forced upon the
people which slowly tore the government apart from the citizens.

2. The Gupta period has been described as ‘golden age” for Bengal. Why is this? See if you can find
additional material to support this view.

The main reason gupta period has been described as ‘golden age’ is because during this period
bengal’s culture flourished the most. The most developments that occurred during Gupta
period:-
 Political administration reached new heights during the Gupta Era. Law and order was
maintained.
 Strong trade ties were made making the region very prosperous. Agriculture improved
with irrigation works.
 The region became a cultural and economic hub.
 Hinduism acquired its present shape during Gupta age.
 Gupta period marks the beginning of Indian temple architecture.
 Kalidas, Basha, Sudraka, Vishakhadatta, Amarsimha, etc made great contribution in the
literature.
 Painting and art reached its zenith during this period.Some popular Anantha paintings
are made during this time.
 Aryabhatta made immense contributions to science and technology during this period.
 The situation of Shudras improved. Guptas themselves are believed to be of Vaishya
origin.
 Even game of Chess, compilation of Kama Sutra is believed to have been done during
this period.

This era led to great achievements which were not achieved in the past and there was a
dip after fall of Gupta age, so its often call it golden era.