Gupta Society: Caste, Gender and Religious Shifts

During the Gupta period in ancient India, Brahmanas held significant influence, shaping a society based on a four-tier system. However, the reality was more complex, with various groups not neatly fitting into these categories. Brahmanas justified this by creating origin stories for different groups, while some were given partial status. Meanwhile, women’s status declined, and urban elites enjoyed luxury while rural areas contrasted sharply.

Overview of Social and Religious Dynamics of the Gupta Period

A. Society During the Gupta Period

• • Land Grants: The Brahmana supremacy continued, and on account of numerous land grants, Brahmanas accumulated wealth.
    • Brahmanas gained prestige due to their association with Sanskrit learning and priestly roles, often receiving support from rulers.
  • Disparity in Lifestyles: Wealthy city-dwellers lived a luxurious life, contrasting sharply with village dwellers.
  • Nagarakas: In urban areas, people enjoyed refined culture and pleasures, as depicted in literary texts like the Kamasutra, but not all city dwellers lived this way.

• Rigid Caste Structure and Emergence of Sub-Castes: The castes became rigid and proliferated into numerous sub-castes as a result of two factors:

• • Large number of foreigners assimilated and each group was considered a kind of Hindu caste. 
  • Huns: came to be recognised as one of the clans of Rajputs.
  • Absorption of many tribes into Brahmanical society.
• Position of Women
  • Deterioration of Women’s Status: The position of women had become miserable. They were prohibited from studying religious texts like Puranas.
  • Promotion of Early Marriage: The practice of Swayamvara was given up, and Manusmriti suggested early marriage for girls.
  • The Practice of Sati: gained social acceptance during this period.
    • Eran inscription of Bhanugupta provides the first evidence of sati.
  • Limited Property Rights: Women were generally denied property rights, but the inscription of Prabhavati Devi indicates that she had possessed land in her name.
  • Shift in Women’s Gotra upon Marriage: The change of women’s gotra upon marriage can be dated to the period after the 5th century A.D.
• Position of Sudras
  • Transformation of Sudras into Agriculturists: Sudras, who earlier appeared as servants, slaves and agricultural labourers, now became agriculturists.
  • Blurring of Distinction: The distinction between Vaishyas and Sudras got blurred.
  • Emergence of Untouchability: had slowly begun during this period,  and chandalas had increased in number. 
    • They were segregated from society.

B. Religion During The Gupta Period

• Rise of Brahmanism: Brahmanism gained prominence, and worship of Shiva and Vishnu came to the forefront. 
  • For the first time, we get the image of Vishnu, Shiva and some other god. 
  • Worship of a new god called Krishna started.
• Emergence of Vaishnavism: Most of the Gupta kings were Vaishnavaites. 
  • Religious literature like the Puranas was composed during this period. 
  • Vishnu emerged as the god of devotion and saviour of the varna system.
  • ‘Vishnupurana’ and ‘Vishnusmriti’(a law book) were written in his honour.
  • Bhagwadgita: appeared in the 4th century AD, and taught devotion to Lord Krishna and stressed the performance of function assigned to each varna.
  • Fa Hein: called Gangetic Valley ‘the island of Brahmanism’.
  • Idol Worship: became a common feature.
  • Agricultural Festivals: were given religious colour and became a source of income for the priests.
  • Buddhism: flourished in northwestern India but was in a state of neglect in the Gangetic Valley. 
    • Buddhism no longer received royal patronage like in the days of Ashoka and Kanishka.
  • Jainism: flourished in western and southern India. The great Jain council at Valabhi was held, and the Jain canon of Svetambaras was compiled during the Gupta era.
  • Policy of Religious Tolerance: Gupta Kings followed a policy of tolerance, and there is no evidence of persecution of followers of Buddhism and Jainism.

Conclusion

The Gupta society was marked by Brahmana influence, rigid caste distinctions, and challenges to women’s rights. Despite attempts to fit all into a structured system, the reality was diverse and often unequal. The period also witnessed religious shifts, with Brahmanism gaining prominence and new deities emerging. Yet, tolerance towards different faiths prevailed, reflecting the complexity of Gupta-era India.