The Gupta period witnessed progress in all spheres: art, architecture, literature, science and technology, metallurgy and philosophy and hence is rightly called the golden period of Ancient history of India.
Five groups of structural temples of Gupta period
| Flat-roofed square temple | Ex: Temple number XVII at Sanchi |
| Flat roof square temple with a second storey (Vimana) | Ex: Parvati temple at Nachna Kuthara |
| Rectangular temple | Ex: Durga temple at Aihole |
| Square temple with a tower (Shikara) | Ex: Deogarh (M.P) and Bhitargaon temples |
| Circular Temple | Ex: Maniyar Math |
The oldest surviving temple in the country is a small, nondescript shrine in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh belonging to the Gupta period.
Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh