​With reference to the Gupta period, consider the following statements:
(i) The Gupta period is considered as the Golden Age of India.
(ii) Kalidasa was a court poet of Samudragupta.
(iii) The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli belongs to the Gupta era.
(iv) Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta I.
Select the correct statements using the codes given below:

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Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (D) (i), (iii)
Explanation:​
Statement (i): The Gupta period is considered as the Golden Age of India.
Correct. The Gupta period (approximately 4th to 6th century CE) is often referred to as the Golden Age of India due to significant achievements in various fields such as science, mathematics, astronomy, art, literature, and philosophy. It was marked by relative peace, prosperity, and cultural flourishing.
Statement (ii): Kalidasa was a court poet of Samudragupta.
Incorrect. Kalidasa, one of the greatest classical Sanskrit poets and dramatists, is often associated with the Gupta dynasty, but there is no concrete historical evidence that he was specifically a court poet of Samudragupta. It is more likely that he was associated with Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), who ruled during the height of the Gupta Empire.
Statement (iii): The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli belongs to the Gupta era.
Correct. The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli (Delhi) is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Chandragupta II (around the 4th century CE). The pillar is an excellent example of the metallurgical skill of the Gupta period and is famous for its ability to resist rust, demonstrating advanced knowledge of ironworking.
Statement (iv): Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta I.
Incorrect. Fa-Hien, the Chinese Buddhist monk and traveler, visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), not Chandragupta I. Fa-Hien visited India in the early 5th century CE and his accounts provide valuable insight into the state of Buddhism and Indian society during the Gupta period.
Information Booster:
→ The Gupta Period is regarded as a golden age due to remarkable advancements in mathematics (like the concept of zero), astronomy, literature (with poets like Kalidasa), and art (sculptures and architecture).
→ Kalidasa's famous works, like Shakuntala and Meghaduta, were written during the reign of Chandragupta II, who is often seen as the peak ruler of the Gupta dynasty.
→ The Iron Pillar is an iconic artifact from the Gupta period, showcasing remarkable early metallurgical expertise.
→ Achievements during this period include the development of the decimal system, the concept of zero by mathematician Aryabhatta, and the flourishing of Sanskrit literature.