Why was the period of the golden age of india, also known as the gupta empire, given this honorable name? 1) they advanced mathematics by establishing the use of numbers 1 through 9 and zero as a placeholder. 2) they followed astronomy but came short of concluding the earth rotates on an axis. 3) buddhist and hindu shrines and temples with beautiful architecture are evidence of magnificent work. 4) paintings using the technique of fresco were copied by neighboring countries. 5) the ancient indian literature, written in sanskrit, peaked during this empire.