Trade and the classical age

The Guptas' main income was land tax. They also earned from fines, and taxes on mines, irrigation, trade and crafts.

Where did the money go? Administration, the army, temples and infrastructure, and supporting scholars and artists. So the science and poetry of this age were paid for partly by the land tax!

To keep going, an empire needs lively trade, inside and outside. In the Gupta age India traded with the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and China, sending out textiles, spices, ivory and gemstones. The Indian Ocean trade network linked Indian ports to faraway markets.

A key stop on the way west was Socotra Island in the Arabian Sea, a resting point for ships. Archaeologists found pottery, Brahmi inscriptions and even a Buddhist stūpa design there, proof Indian traders came for centuries. Traders from Egypt, Arabia, Rome and Greece left their marks too. One small island, many peoples meeting through trade!

A long time of peace and stability led to great achievements, so some historians call this India's 'classical age'.

Knowledge from earlier times was gathered and written into many texts:

• Sanskrit literature: Kālidāsa's works and many Purāṇas
• maths and astronomy: Āryabhaṭa and Varāhamihira
• medicine: medical texts put in order
• metalwork: like the rust-free Iron Pillar

Stability made the economy strong, so the state could support scholars, artists and scientists. Chandragupta II kept many learned people, poets and artists at his court. The great centre of learning at Nalanda, whose ruins still stand, belongs to this world too.