Change and Continuity of Ancient India
The Indian history and the Gupta Hindu Kingdom changed drastically by arts, religions, regionalism, and the caste system. The Gupta Rule also called the Classical Age refers to the time where much of the Indian subcontinent was reunited under the Gupta Empire. From the 5th century BC to the 5th century AD the Gupta Hindu Kingdom region of classical India started as a highly political, regionalized caste system to a religious Hindu based culture, and a more science thinking culture. Classical India did not develop the solid political traditions and institutions of Chinese civilization, nor the high level of political interest that would characterize classical Greece and Rome. The most persistent political features of India in the classical period involved regionalism. Regionalism has been the most potent force in Indian politics since India’s Independence and remains the basis of regional political parties. Autocratic kings and emperors spotted the history of classical India, but there were also aristocratic assemblies in some regional states with the power to decide on major issues. The characteristic Indian caste system began to take shape during the Vedic and Epic ages. It became more complex after the Epic Age, as the five initial castes subdivided until almost 300 castes. The caste system was an important social bond across most of the subcontinent. The caste system consists of five levels. The Brahmins are the highest which consist of priests. The next level is Kshatriuas which are warriors and rulers. The middle of the caste system is the Vaisyas which are skilled traders, merchants, and minor officials. Then there are the Sudras which are the unskilled workers, and the lowest of all the Parian (Harijans) which are outcastes, or the untouchables. To a great extent, the caste system and religious encouragement to the faithful performance of caste duties did more for Indian life than more usual government structures did in other cultures. Unlike Greece and