India is a country rich in cultural heritage. For thousands of years, people from far and wide came to this nation and left their mark. In addition, throughout the centuries, Indian merchants and traders traveled to distant lands to bring back cultural elements to incorporate into their own traditions. For example, even in ancient times, South India was known as a rich land to which, according to the Bible, King Solomon sent his ships every three years carrying gold, silver, ivory, monkeys and peacocks (Kulke 97). Today, the greatly varied arts and crafts, architecture, dance and music continue to display India's unique background.

             Prior to the beginning of the Christian Era and over the next six hundred years, Northern India was rule by a number of different kingdoms. The most significant dynasty was named after Chandra Gupta I, who united a major portion of the northern part of country and whose family brought great prosperity from 320 to 520 AD. The classical heritage was only situated in the north. It started to move south only after the Gupta Empire had lost its strength and position.

             The Gupta period was known as the Golden Age of classical Indian history, because it made a permanent impact on Indian history. During this era, massive royal resources were put toward Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths and the Hindu temple became India's classic architectural form (Wolpert 91). They temples finely decorated with images of the deity and their consort. This period also saw the peak of cave art and sculpture, with magnificent frescos (that still exist) on the walls and ceilings that depict graceful human figures with fine jewelry. The sculptures emphasized serenity and simplicity that was found in the Buddhist images of that time. There were also numerous mother-goddess figures.

             Other significant achievements occurred in education, mathematics, Sanskrit literature and drama. Education and mathematics consisted of highly specialized and sophisticated grammar, composition, logic, metaphysics, medicine, and astronomy.