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

(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.

• 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 of ‘Vikramaditya’ 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.

(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.

(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.

• 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.

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
• Sandhi–Vigrahika– 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 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.

• Abhijnanshakuntalam                                                                        
• Vikramorvasiyam
• Malavikagnimitra
• Kumārasambhava
• Raghuvansham
• Meghadootam
• Ritusamhara
• Jyotirvidabharana

• Nitisara

• Mudrarakshas
• Devichandraguptam

• Brihatkatha

• Mrichhakatikam

• Panchasiddhantika (5 books, Brihatsamhita most notable)

• Susrutsamhita on surgery

• Ashtanghridaya

• Ayurveda

• Amarkosh

• Aryabhattiyam, Suryasidhanta

• Brahmasphutasiddhanta

• Svapanavasaydattam