Gupta Empire constituted an illustrious period of about a century in the ancient history of India. Though not vast as the Mauryan Empire, yet the Guptas left a deep cultural impact in ancient India and the adjacent Asian countries as well. Art and Architecture was one of the chief features of the Gupta period, which became the brand of the Gupta dynasty for centuries. Originally existing as a small vassal province, the Guptas had stretched their kingdom to a vast extent. Political condition of Northern India was one of absolute anarchy and chaos, when the Imperial Guptas appeared in the political scenario. The Guptas appeared and consolidated the disintegrated kingdoms under their own supremacy during the period of "Dark Age" and established political unification in India. The early Guptas were engaged in conquests of the disintegrated provinces. Through their exceptional military prowess they brought major parts of northern India under their control. The magnificence and glory of the Gupta Empire reached its culmination during the period of Samudragupta. Political condition during Samudragupta`s accession was vastly anarchic due to civil war. Conquests of Samudragupta further extended the boundary of the Gupta Empire. Art, architecture, science and literature flowered under the patronage of Samudragupta. Chandragupta II or Vikramaditya initiated the task of consolidation. Though as a conqueror Chandragupta II was not potent like his predecessors, yet his Saka conquest earned him enormous fame. The task of consolidation under the Gupta supremacy came to a full circle when Kumaragupta I ascended the throne. The reign of Kumaragupta was one of uninterrupted peace and hence it appeared dull and unattractive in comparison to the brilliant reign of the predecessors. However after Kumaragupta I, forces of disintegration started to set in. Though Skandagupta was competent enough, yet it was not easy for him to fight away those forces of annihilation and reestablish their former glory. Moreover foreign invasion augmented the downfall of the Gupta Empire. The Later Guptas were very much incompetent to retain the foundation of the Empire strongly like their predecessors and the decline of the imperial fabric of the Gupta Empire was inevitable during their rule.

Gupta Empire constituted the "Golden Age" in the history of ancient India. The period not only witnessed cultural prosperity, but also a peaceful and balanced socio-political economic life. A just and efficient administrative system ensured security of the subjects. As a whole the period of the Guptas represented an ideal picture of the socio-political life in ancient India.