Gupta Empire (300 - 550) (27 août 300 – 25 févr. 550)

Description:

Hinduism & Buddhism
Similarity:
Notions of dharma, karma, reincarnation

Difference:
Emphasis on ritual practices > enlightenment;
importance of propitiating the gods with offerings and hymns

Acceptance of caste system
- only the Brahmins can perform important rituals; priestly caste
- dharma (moral duty) differs by caste and age; vs
Buddhism: same for everyone

Hinduism during the Guptas:
Concentration on a few major gods:
Vishnu, Shiva, mother Durga/Kali
Codification of the representation of major Hindu gods (iconography)

Guptas = patrons of the arts:
A fixed iconography of the gods
Devt of the classic Indian temple form (platform + “mountain”)
Final form of epics (Mahabharata, Ramayana) fixed & written --with insertion of Baghavad Gita into Mahabharata
A “golden age” of Sanskrit poetry, including the famous poet-playwright Kalidasa

Hierarchical systems (e.g. Hinduism) = bad for women

During Gupta era:
women lost right to own or inherit property
i.e. forced into dependence
barred from studying sacred texts
married very young in arranged marriages
a daughter = “a kind of merchandise” (Kamasutra)

Great eras are not necessarily great for women.