The caves continued to be excavated during the Gupta and post-Gupta period. In some respects the period marks the close of a brilliant era in the history of Indian architecture while in some respect the Gupta period saw the ushering in of a new epoch connected with the growth and development of structural monuments of distinctive forms and styles.

The earlier structural buildings were mostly constructed of impermanent materials like wood, bamboo, brick etc.

In the Gupta period the chief material that came to be used was dressed stone, apart from bricks. Apart from the use of the structural mode in the architectural forms already established like the stupa, the chaitya hall or the monastery, the new improvisations were particularly concerned with the erection of temples for proper enshrinement of images. Varied experiments were conducted till suitable forms were crystallised. With regard to the growth and development of the monumental temple styles the Gupta period may be regarded as a creative and formative age.