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The Gupta Empire (c. 319 – 550 CE)

Political History & Key Rulers

• Founding & Timeline:
  • The Gupta era (Gupta Samvat) was started by Chandragupta I.
  • The dynasty ruled from approximately 319-500 A.D.
  • Their rule is considered the “Golden Age” of Ancient India.
• Prominent Rulers:
  • Samudragupta (c. 335/350-375 CE)
    • Titles: ‘Napoleon of India’, ‘Prithivyah Pratham Veer’ (The First Hero of the Earth), ‘Parakramank’.
    • Military: Known for extensive military conquests.
    • Religion: First Gupta ruler to assume the title ‘Param Bhagavata’ (devotee of Vishnu).
    • Court Poet: Harisena.
    • Source: Details of his reign are in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti).
  • Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) (c. 375-415 CE)
    • Titles: ‘Vikramaditya’, ‘Param Bhagavata’. Also known as Devagupta.
    • Military: Known as the ‘Saka-conqueror’.
    • Coinage: First Gupta ruler to issue silver coins.
    • Rituals: Performed four Ashwamedha Yajnas (horse sacrifices).
    • Court Poet: Kalidasa.
    • Monument: The Iron Pillar of Delhi (in Qutub complex) is associated with King ‘Chandra’ (identified with him).
  • Skandagupta (c. 455-467 CE)
    • Title: ‘Kramaditya’.
    • Major Challenge: Successfully defeated the Hunas (Huns) invasion.
    • Source: This victory is recorded in the Bhitari Pillar Inscription.

Administration & Society

• Administration:
  • The administration had a feudal nature, which weakened central authority.
  • Land Grants: The Gupta dynasty donated the maximum number of tax-free villages to temples and Brahmins.
• Society:
  • Women: Did not enjoy equality with men.
  • Sati Pratha: The first inscriptional evidence of Sati comes from Eran during this period.
  • Language Hierarchy: In Sanskrit plays, high-born men spoke Sanskrit, while women and Sudras were made to speak Prakrit.

Economy & Trade

• General State: A gradual decline of towns was a feature of this period.
• Trade Routes: After the Huna invasion ended Roman trade (3rd century AD), Indian merchants increased trade with Southeast Asia.
• Major Ports: Tamralipti was the key port for North Indian trade.
• Other Ports: Ghantasala, Kadura, and Chaul were also important ports.
• Guilds (Shreni): Held significant economic and judicial power. They fixed rules, wages, standards, and prices.
  • The Dashpur Inscription provides information about the Silk Weavers Guild.
• Manufacturing Centers: Textile manufacture was prominent in Gujarat, Bengal, Deccan, and Tamil country.
• Land Revenue & Measurement:
  • Standard land revenue was one-sixth of the produce.
  • Land measurement units included “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa”.
  • ‘Aprahat’ referred to uncultivated land (e.g., forest).
• Taxes:
  • Vishti: Forced labor, a source of income for the state.
  • Bidakabhagam: A tax levied for irrigation.

Science, Culture & Religion

• Science & Medicine:
  • Medicine: Sushruta (author of Sushruta Samhita) is associated with this period. Specialized surgical instruments were common by the 1st century AD.
  • Mathematics/Astronomy:
    • The concept of the sine of an angle was known by the 5th century AD.
    • The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known by the 7th century AD.
    • Note: Bhaskaracharya is not associated with medicine.
• Religion & Philosophy:
  • The main teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is Nishkama Karma Yoga (selfless action).
• Coinage:
  • Gold Coins: Called Dinara (also referred to as Nishka).
  • Silver Coins: Called Rupaka.

Decline of the Gupta Empire

• Significant Causes:
  • Invasions by the Hunas.
  • The feudal nature of the administration.
• Non-Causes:
  • Arab invasion (occurred later).
  • Acceptance of Buddhism by the later Guptas.

Post-Gupta Period: Harshavardhana (c. 606 – 647 CE)

Kingdoms & Capitals

• Original Capital: Thanesar.
• Later Capital: Shifted his capital to Kannauj.
• Pre-Harsha Powers in North India: Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, Maukharis of Kanauj, Maitrakas of Valabhi, Guptas of Magadha.

Key Figures & Sources

• Biographer: Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita (Harsha’s biography).
• Chinese Traveller: Hiuen-Tsang (Xuanzang) visited Harsha’s court. His account, ‘Si-Yu-Ki’, notes:
  • Tradesmen paid duties at ferries and barrier stations.
  • Ordeals (fire, water, poison) were used.
  • Mathura was famous for cotton clothes.
  • Harsha was favorable towards Buddhism.

Military & Political Events

• His southward expansion was halted by Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya dynasty on the Narmada River in 618 A.D.

Religious Activities

• Organized two great religious conventions at Kannauj and Prayaga.

Ancient Indian Philosophy (Darshanas)

• The Six Orthodox Systems (Astika): Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta.
• International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June.

Other Important Historical Facts

Chinese Travelers to India

• Fa-Hien (Faxian): Visited India (c. 405 AD) during Chandragupta II’s reign. Mentioned a hospital at Pataliputra.
• Hiuen-Tsang (Xuanzang): Visited during Harsha’s reign. Studied at Nalanda University. Wrote ‘Si-Yu-Ki’.
• I-Tsing (Yijing): Was in India around 637 AD.
• General: Chinese writers referred to India as ‘Yin-tu’.

Ancient Universities & Monasteries

• Nalanda (Bihar): Major center of learning. Destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji.
• Vikramshila: Another prominent university.
• Bhaja: Considered the most ancient monastery.

Adi Shankaracharya

• Born in: Kerala.
• Philosophy: Propagated Advaita Vedanta.
• Establishments: Founded four Mathas (monasteries) at Sringeri (South), Dwarka (West), Puri (East), Joshimath (North).
• Chardham (four holy sites): Puri, Dwarka, Rameshwaram, Badrinath.

Court Poets and Their Patrons

Historical Eras and Kingdoms

• Historical Eras:
  • Vikrama Samvat: Began in 58 BC.
  • Saka Era: Began in 78 AD.
  • Gupta Era: Began in 319 AD.
  • Kali Yuga: Began in 3102 BC (traditional).
• Ancient Kingdoms:
  • Chandravanshi (Lunar Dynasty) capital was Pratishthan Pur (modern Paithan, Maharashtra).
  • Maukhari dynasty capital was Kannauj.

Miscellaneous Facts

• Chess is said to have originated in India.
• Huna ruler Mihirakula was defeated by Yashodharman.
• The play Mudrarakshasa by Visakhadutta is based on the life of Chandragupta Maurya.
• The term ‘Hundi’ referred to a bill of exchange.
• ‘Kausheya’ was a term for silk.

Know More about Gupta, Post-Gupta and Vardhan Dynasty:

• Gupta, Post-Gupta and Vardhan Dynasty One Liner Questions & Answers
• Gupta, Post-Gupta and Vardhan Dynasty– Old Year Questions and Answers