interpretation of the past. The Mahabharata and the Ramayana also got their final touches and received their present shape during this period. Eighteen major puranas are listed. Of them the well known are: Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Vishnu Purana, Skanda Purana, Shiva Maha Purana, Markendeya Purana, Agni Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Matsya Purana and Shrimad Bhagavat Purana.
XI History - Lesson - - The Guptas for a little longer, it was eventually abandoned and forgotten. The site was accidentally discovered when the Archaeological Survey of India surveyed the area. Systematic excavations commenced in , which unearthed monasteries and brick temples situated on hectares ( acres) of land. A trove of sculptures, coins, seals and inscriptions have also been discovered since then and all of them are on display in the Nalanda Archaeological Museum situated nearby.
Nalanda is now a notable tourist destination and a part of the Buddhist tourism circuit. Recently, the government of India, in cooperation with other South and South-east Asian countries, has revived this university. Gupta Sciences Mathematics and Astronomy The invention of the theory of zero and the consequent evolution of the decimal system are to be credited to the thinkers of this age. In the Surya Siddanta , Aryabhatta (belonging to late fifth and early sixth century CE) examined the true cause of the solar eclipses.
In calculation of the size of the earth, he is very close to the modern estimation. He was the first astronomer to discover that the earth rotates on its own axis. He is also the author of Aryabhattiyam , which deals with arithmetic, geometry and algebra. Varahamihira’s Brihat Samhita (sixth century CE) is an encyclopaedia of astronomy, physical geography, botany and natural history.
His other works are Panch Siddhantika and Brihat Jataka . Brahmagupta (late sixth and early seventh century CE) is author of important works on mathematics and astronomy, namely Brahmasphuta-siddhanta and Khandakhadyaka . Medical Sciences Metallic preparations for the purpose of medicine and references to the use of mercury and iron by Varahamihira and others indicate that much progress was made in