History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c30.s3.39

v1.c30.s3.39

The rise of the Gupta dynasty and its equally illustrious contemporary, the Vakatakas in the fourth century is usually regarded as the Golden Age of Indian Culture. The uncertainty following the repeated incursions of the various Saka and Kusana tribes was put to an end. The Ganga basin to begin with and then most of the country north of Narmada was pacified and brought under imperial control by successive Gupta rulers. The records of Candragupta II and Samudragupta narrate that story and it needs no repetition here. It is to be noted that the rise of the Guptas was facilitated more by mutual understanding, often resulting in matrimonial alliances between the small regional kingdoms and tribes like the Nagas of Central and Northern India. It was more a process of consolidation and recognition by equals that one among them was superior to the rest.