The period of the Gupta Empire (about 320 to 550 CE), often called the classical or golden age of ancient India for its achievements in science, mathematics, art, literature, and administration.
- Major rulers: Chandragupta I (founder, Gupta era from 319 to 320 CE), Samudragupta (the "Indian Napoleon", praised in the Allahabad/Prayag Prashasti by Harishena), and Chandragupta II Vikramaditya (defeated the Shakas).
- Science and mathematics: Aryabhata (concept of zero in use, place value, heliocentric ideas, value of pi) and Varahamihira (astronomy, the Brihat Samhita).
- Literature: Kalidasa (Abhijnanasakuntalam, Meghaduta) is associated with this age; medicine advanced through texts of Sushruta and Charaka.
- Art and architecture: the Ajanta cave paintings, the iron pillar at Mehrauli (rust-resistant), and early structural temples (Dashavatara temple, Deogarh).
- Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien visited during Chandragupta II's reign; decline followed Hun (Huna) invasions in the 5th and 6th centuries.
Achievement-to-person matching (Aryabhata, Kalidasa, Varahamihira), the Allahabad Prashasti, and the Fa-Hien visit are standard ancient-history items.
Chandragupta Maurya (Mauryan, 4th century BCE) is different from Chandragupta I and Chandragupta II of the Guptas (4th to 5th century CE); Fa-Hien (Gupta) versus Hsuan Tsang (Harsha).
Classical age (about 320 to 550 CE) of Aryabhata, Kalidasa, and Ajanta art under Samudragupta and Chandragupta II.