Not only in the traditional Sanskrit literature or in the field of other worldly literature but changes came in the over all social life in the Gupta period with the tremendous development of science during this period. With the growth and intensification in the arena of mathematics, astrology, astronomy, medicine, Chemistry, Metallurgy, Botany, Zoology and Engineering Gupta period gained a striking facet.

Mathematics: In ancient India, mathematics was treated as a handmaid to astronomy. But Aryabhata treated this as an independent subject. He wrote his work Aryabhtiyam at Pataliputra in 499 A.D. He was the first scholar to discover the decimal system of place values. He has given all his results in the form of finished formulas. Regarding geometry he discussed his work with the area of a triangle, the theorem on similarity of triangles, the area of a circle and the theorem relating to rectangles contained by the segments of chords or a circle. In algebra he discusses the rule of three and a rule for solving examples concerning interest. He has also discussed other mathematical subjects such as arithmetical progression and a formula for the sum of squares and the cubes of natural numbers.

Astronomy: In Astronomy, Aryabhata was the first to assert that the earth rotates round its axis. He was the first person to utilize sine functions in astronomy. He also calculated the increase and decrease in two consecutive days, he stated calculating accurately the angular diameter of the earth`s shadow at the moon`s orbit and gave a method of finding the duration of an eclipse. These were all new things for the nation as till then they believe in another world.

Varahamihira was another important astronomer of the Gupta period. Most probably he began composing his work Panchasiddhahtika in 505 A.D. He discusses in this work the principles of the five astronomical schools, which were considered as the most authoritative one in his time. Of these five schools the Romaka Siddhanta clearly betrays Western influence. This is expected to happen as a result of active trade contacts between the Roman Empire and the Gupta Empire. The Surya Siddhanta is the most important and complete astronomical work of the period. It seems that Greek astronomy served as the basis of the Surya-siddhahta. The other three schools of astronomy discussed by Varahamihira are the Paitamaha Siddhahta, the Vasistha Siddhahta, and the Paulish Siddhanta. In his work Varahamihira has preserved the essential teachings of these five schools of astronomy, which is a great collection of work.

Astrology: The Vriddha Garga Samhita is the only work on astrology prior to Varahamihira`s Brihatsamhita, which is a collection of ancient Indian learning and sciences. Besides the sections on astrology in the Brihatsamhita, Varahamihira also composed four other works on astrology, which deal with auspicious muhurtas for marriage, auspicious portents for the expeditions of kings and the time of man`s birth, and its influence on his future.

Medicine: The Bower manuscript was discovered by Lt. H. Bower in a Buddhist stupa in Kashgar in 1890. Out of the seven works discovered by Bower three deal with medicine. The manuscript on the basis of palaeographical grounds has been dated to the second half of the fourth century A.D. The manuscript deals with such subjects as the use of garlic in curing diseases, digestion, and eye diseases. A book named Navanitaka deals with different kinds of powders, decoctions, oils, elixirs and children`s diseases. The only familiar name of a medical authority referred to in the Bower manuscript is that of Susruta.

Chemistry, Metallurgy, Botany, Zoology, Engineering and Meteorology

Nagarjuna was the great Mahayana Buddhist philosopher of ancient time. He is believed to have been the real father of scientific chemistry. But there is no evidence or work on chemistry composed by Nagarjuna. The Meharauli iron pillar will forever remain a living monument to the progress in metallurgy achieved in the age of the imperial Guptas. In spite of exposure to the open air for over 1500 years the pillar has not rusted hence it has become an object of research for eminent metallurgists of the world as well.

Varahamihira was a scientist of encyclopedic interests. Besides being an astronomer, mathematician and astrologer he was also a student of metallurgy. He was a good jeweller and has supplied useful information for ascertaining the nature and value of gold, emerald, pearls, diamonds etc. He was also a student of botany as he has discussed various topics of gardening in the Brihatsamhita. He has also discussed the nature of good as well as bad horses, elephants and dogs. His work contains valuable information about the nature and structure of temples, palaces, mansions and houses. This shows that; he had good knowledge of civil engineering as well. He had studied the science of meteorology as he states in his work what kind of clouds will bring us rain etc. It is a pity that Varahamihira could not succeed in founding a school of his own to continue a systematic study of these different branches of science.