Golden Age of India

The Mauryan Empire (321–185 BC) was the largest and one the most powerful empires to exist in the history of Indian subcontinent .This era is also accompanied with very high levels of cultural development and economic prosperity.The empire saw significant advancement in the field of literature, science,art and architecture. Important works like arthashastra and sushruta samrita were written and expanded in this period. Earlier development of writing scripts like brahmi script and prakrit langauge happened in this period which will form the bases of many other language later.This era also saw a emergence of great scholars like acharya pingal and patanjali[3] who will make great advancement in the fields of mathematics, poetry and yoga. [4][3] The Mauryan Empire was notable for its efficient administrative system, which included a large network of officials and bureaucrats, as well as a sophisticated system of taxation and a well-organized army.[5][6][7]

According to the estimates given by historians, during the mauryan era Indian subcontinent almost contributed to around 1/3rd of worlds GDP which would be the highest the region would ever contribute.[8]

The Gupta Empire under Chandragupta II (ruled 375-415).

The period between the 4th and 6th centuries CE is known as the Golden Age of India because of the considerable achievements that in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, science, religion and philosophy during the Gupta Empire.[9] [10] The decimal numeral system, including the concept of zero, was invented in India during this period.[11] The peace and prosperity created under the leadership of the Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors in India.[12][13][14] The Golden Age of India came to an end when the Hunas invaded the Gupta Empire in the 6th century CE. The gross domestic product (GDP) of ancient India was estimated to be 32% and 28% of the global GDP in 1 AD and 1000 AD respectively .[15] Also, during the first millennium of common era the Indian population comprised around 30.3% and 27.15% of the total world population.[16] [17][18]

Chola Empire under Rajendra Chola I c. 1030 CE.

South India in the 10th and 11th century CE under the imperial Cholas is considered as another Golden Age.[19][20] The period saw extensive achievements in architecture, Tamil literature, sculpture and bronze working, maritime conquests and trade. During Cholas the major South East Asian countries practiced Hinduism, Chola’s influence was as far as Vietnam. Chola GDP constituted the world's largest GDP at that time.[21][22][23]

A map depicting the territories of the Vijayanagara Empire

Often regarded as one of the greatest Indian Empires , Vijaynagara empire during the 14th to 16th century covered much of the region of South India, controlling the lands of the modern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and some parts of Telangana and Maharashtra. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, members of a pastoralist cowherd community that claimed Yadava lineage.[24][25][note 1] The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts by the southern powers to ward off Perso-Turkic Islamic invasions by the end of the 13th century. At its peak, it subjugated almost all of South India's ruling families and pushed the sultans of the Deccan beyond the Tungabhadra-Krishna river doab region, in addition to annexing Gajapati Kingdom (Odisha) till Krishna river, thus becoming a notable power.[26] The empire is named after its capital city of Vijayanagara, whose ruins surround present day Hampi, now a World Heritage Site in Karnataka, India. The utter wealth and fame of the empire inspired visits by and writings of various medieval European travelers such as Domingo Paes, Fernão Nunes, and Niccolò de' Conti.

The empire's legacy includes monuments spread over South India, the best known of which is the group at Hampi. Different temple building traditions in South and Central India were merged into the Vijayanagara architecture style. This synthesis inspired architectural innovations in the construction of Hindu temples. Efficient administration and vigorous overseas trade brought new technologies to the region such as water management systems for irrigation. The empire's patronage enabled fine arts and literature to reach new heights in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sanskrit with topics such as astronomy, mathematics, medicine, fiction, musicology, historiography and theater gaining popularity. The classical music of Southern India, Carnatic music, evolved into its current form. The Vijayanagara Empire created an epoch in the history of Southern India that transcended regionalism by promoting Hinduism as a unifying factor[27]

• Dhere, Ramchandra (2011). Rise of a Folk God: Vitthal of Pandharpur South Asia Research. Oxford University Press, 2011. ISBN 9780199777648.
• Radhakrishnan, S.; Moore, C. A. (1957). A Source Book in Indian Philosophy. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-01958-1. Princeton paperback 12th printing, 1989.
• Sewell, Robert (2011). A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar). New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-8120601253.
• Stein, Burton (1989). The New Cambridge History of India: Vijayanagara. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-26693-2.