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Gupta Empire – Facts about Gupta Period & Gupta Dynasty | UPSC Notes

Origin of Gupta Empire
  • The Gupta Rule for witnessing all round progress i.e., in spheres of art, architecture, literature, science and technology, metallurgy and philosophy, regarded as the Golden Age of Ancient India.
  • Stable polity, profitable trade, secured and peaceful social set up provided the required conducive environment for development of North India.
  • Sri Gupta was the first ruler of the Gupta Dynasty followed by his son. 
  • Bhitari pillar inscription dates to his reign gives the chronology of Guptas and his conflict with Pushyamitra and Huns.

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RULER OF GUPTA EMPIRE RELATED INFORMATION ABOUT GUPTA EMPIRE
Gupta Empire – CHANDRAGUPTA-I

(319 CE – 330/335 CE)

  • First important ruler of the Gupta Empire was Chandragupta-I (319 CE – 330/335 CE) who is considered the actual founder of the Gupta Dynasty.
  • He assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraj’.
  • His reign covered regions of South Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Saketa and Prayaga).
  • His accession in about AD 319-20 marks the beginning of the Gupta Samvat (era).
  • Chandragupta-I married the Licchavi princess Kumardevi and increased his influence in the North Bihar region (Nepal).
  • Gold Coins bearing the figures of Kumardevi and Chandragupta 1st known as Kumardevi Coins were issued.
Gupta Empire – SAMUDRAGUPTA (335 CE – 375/380 CE)
  • The son of Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta, became the next ruler of Gupta Empire whose conquests are recorded in Prayaga Prashasti (Eulogy).
  • These conquests Prayaga Prashasti were composed by Samudragupta’s court poet, a scholar and minister, Harishena in classical Sanskrit.
  • According to Prayaga Prashasti, Samuddragupta conquered: Eight kings of Aryavarta – (northern India i.e., Ganga Valley);
  • Samudragupta captured and then liberated and reinstated 12 kings of Dakshinapatha (South India).
  • A large part of the subcontinent succumbed to the power of Samudragupta and paid tribute.
  • Samudragupta performed the Ashwamedh Yajna (sacrifice) after these achievements.
  • He issued Ashwamedh coins, Tiger-slayer coin, Battle-axe coin and Veena-Coin in which he is displayed playing the Veena.
  • Samudragupta was not only a conqueror but also a great poet, musician and patron of learning.
  • Samudragupta’s successful conquests has earned him the title of ‘Napoleon of India’.
  • Allahabad pillar inscriptions called him “Dharma Prachar Bandhu”.
 

Gupta Empire – CHANDRAGUPTA-II

(380 CE – 414 CE)

  • Coming to the throne, Chandragupta-II defeated the Sakas in western region (Gujarat, Kathiawar and west Malwa), assumed the title ofVikramaditya’ and ruled from Ujjain.
  • Udayagiri Cave Inscription (Vidisha, MP) and Sanchi inscription inform us about this.
  • He married Kubernaga of the Naga family and had a daughter by her name Prabhavatigupta.
  • Prabhavatigupta was married to Vakataka Rudrasen 2nd of Central India, after Rudrasen’s death, Prabhavatigupta ruled as a regent between 390 CE to 410 CE.
  • Chandragupta-II was the first ruler of Gupta Empire to issue silver coins bearing lion figures similar in pattern with Saka coins.
  • Mehrauli iron pillar inscription (Delhi’s Qutub-minar complex) of Chandragupta-II records that Chandragupta-II defeated Valikas of Bacteria crossing the Sapta Sindhu.
  • Kalidasa and Amarsinha lived in his court.
  • Chinese Buddhist monk Fa-hsien visited his court.
Gupta Empire – KUMARGUPTA I

(414 CE – 455 CE)

  • Karamdanda (Fyzabad) inscription refers to king Kumaragupta I as ruler of 4 oceans, Mandsor inscription as ruler of all earth and copper plate inscription of Damodarpur as ‘Maharajadhiraj’.
  • Bilsad (Etah) inscription also mentions Kumaragupta I
  • Kumaragupta I performed Ashwamedha yajna and assumed titles like Ashwamedha-Mahendra and Mahendraditya
  • Himself a devotee of Shiva, Kumargupta I issued Kartikeya type coins bearing the figure of peacock.
  • While the threat of the Hunas crossing Hindukush was building up during Kumargupta I, on the whole his reign remained peaceful.
  • During his reign Nalanda University was established.
 Gupta Empire – SKANDAGUPTA

(455 CE – 467 CE)

  • Son of Kumargupta I, Skandgupta, during his lifetime bravely fought and defeated Hunas on the North-Western frontier.
  • His conquest over Pushyamitra is marked in Bhitari Pillar inscription.
  • Got the Sudarshan Lake repaired (Junagadh inscription).
  • Skandagupta’s death in 467 CE was followed by incompetent successors who could not keep the empire intact.
Decline of Gupta Empire
  • Feudal lords (recipients of the land grants) started asserting themselves and started setting up their own dynasties.
  • Decentralized bureaucracy and absence of a large, permanent and professional army were important factors of decline.
  • Decline of foreign trade, invasions of Huna, weak successors contributed to their decline
  • Vishnugupta (540 CE- 550 CE) was the last recognized Gupta ruler.

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SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITION DURING GUPTA EMPIRE

 

 

 

ADMINISTRATION SITUATION DURING GUPTA EMPIRE 

  • King was assisted by the council of ministers.
  • Bhukti (province) and Vishaya (province division) were administrative units headed by Uparika and Vishayapati respectively.
  • Vishaya was further divided into Vithi & village was the smallest unit.
  • Bureaucracy was not elaborated as that of Maurya.
  • Important Offices:
  • Mahanandanayaka – Justice Delivery
  • Mahapratihara – Chief of the Guards
  • Dutakas– Associated with Gifts and Grants
  • SandhiVigrahika– Minister of Peace and War
  • Pilupati -Headed Elephants
  • Asvapati -Headed Horses
  • Narapti– Headed Foot Soldiers
  • Ranabhandagrika– In charge of stores
  • Akshapataladhikrita– Superintendent of Records and Accounts.
 

ECONOMY UNDER GUPTA EMPIRE 

  • Agriculture, trade, commerce and art and crafts all flourished under Guptas.
  • The King’s administration facilitated irrigation, ensured measurement and categorization of land into cultivated (Kshetra) and un-cultivated (Khila/ Aprahata) lands.
  • Landowner class (mahattars, Gramika and Kutumbika) became influential as land was a prestigious property to be sold or gifted.
  • Craftsmen produced both utility and luxury items; particular craftsmanship became the basis of ‘jaati’-formation i.e., caste.
  • Shreni continued to govern the trader’s affairs.
  • Common people traded in cowrie shells.
  • Issued less pure gold coins than Kushana.
SOCIETY AND RELIGION UNDER GUPTA EMPIRE
  • Society became clearly feudalistic, Brahmins (Brahmadiyas & Agraharas)and feudal chiefs received land grants.
  • Position of women and Shudras improved. Both were allowed to listen to the Ramayana & Mahabharata & advised to worship Krishna.
  • Bhanugupta’s Airana (Eran) inscription gives the first evidence of Sati and Child marriage too existed.
  • Fahien records almost no crime and death penalty.
  • Vishti was forced to serve the royal army & officials.
  • Chandalas were the outcaste i.e., out of the 4-fold varna system and made to reside outside village settlements.
  • Different religious sects co-existed peacefully.
  • Vaishnavite or Shaivite Kings got temples constructed for their respective deities.
  • Religious texts like Puaranas, Mahabharata and Ramayana were expanded in this period.
  • Bhagvatism centered around Vishnu emerged.
 

ART AND ARCHITECTURE UNDER GUPTA EMPIRE

  • Continud growth of the Ajanta School (Theme: Buddha’s life) was accompanied by emergence of Bagh School near Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh. In this cave-walls were decorated (painted) in local themes i.e., it related to common people.
  • Sculpture– made considerable growth with evidence of various stone images.
  • Metal and stone images of Buddha (bronze, Bhagalpur), Shiva and Vishnu are reported from a number of places.
  • Images of God appeared for the first time.
  • Stupa and cave construction reduced and temple construction (Shikhara) picked up:
  • Dashavatar Temple, Jhansi, U.P.
  • Bhitargav Temple (Brick) Kanpur, U.P.
  • Parvati Temple, Nachnakuthara, M.P.
  • Vishnu Temple, Jabalpur, M.P.
  • Bagh cave Paintings belong to this period.

 

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LITERATURE DURING GUPTA EMPIRE
  • Development of literature in Gupta Empire was diverse as it covered from poetry and play, art (dance and music), philosophy, religion to science, mathematics, physiology, astronomy etc.
  • There were Navaratnas, or Nine Gems in the court of Chandragupta II who were experts of particular fields. These were: Amarsimha, Dhanvantri, Harisena, Kalidasa, Kahapanaka, Sanku, Varahamihira, Vararuchi, Vetalbhatta.
  • Dharmashashtras, Narad Smriti, Vishnu Smriti, Brihaspati Smriti and portion of Ramayana and Mahabharata, Bhasa’s 12 plays were also written in this period.
  • Most of the literature is developed using ornate Sanskrit language.
AUTHOR WORK
Kalidasa

 

  • Abhijnanshakuntalam                                                                        
  • Vikramorvasiyam
  • Malavikagnimitra
  • Kumārasambhava
  • Raghuvansham
  • Meghadootam
  • Ritusamhara
  • Jyotirvidabharana
Kamandaka
  • Nitisara
Vishakhadatta
  • Mudrarakshas
  • Devichandraguptam
Gunadhya
  • Brihatkatha
Sudraka
  • Mrichhakatikam
Varahamihir
  • Panchasiddhantika (5 books, Brihatsamhita most notable)
Susrut
  • Susrutsamhita on surgery
Vagabhata
  • Ashtanghridaya
Dhanavantari
  • Ayurveda
Amar Singh
  • Amarkosh
Aryabhatt
  • Aryabhattiyam, Suryasidhanta
Brahmagupta
  • Brahmasphutasiddhanta
Bhasa
  • Svapanavasaydattam

Also Read: Pallava Dynasty: History, Art, Culture, Conflicts, and Decline

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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