THE HISTORY OF GUPTA PERIOD [300 CE- 600 CE]

CHANDRAGUPTA-I

(319 CE – 330/335 CE)

•         First important ruler was Chandragupta-I (319 CE – 330/335 CE) who is considered actual founder of the 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 1^st known as Kumardevi Coins were issued.

SAMUDRAGUPTA

(335 CE – 375/380 CE)

•         The son of Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta, became the next ruler 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) post 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”.

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.
•          Udaigiri Cave Inscription (Vidisha, MP) and Sanchi inscription inform us about this.
•          He married Kubernaga of the Naga family and had a daughter by her named Prabhavatigupta.
•         Prabhavatigupta was married to Vakataka Rudrasen 2^nd of Central India, after Rudrasen’s death, Prabhavatigupta ruled as a regent between 390 CE to 410 CE.
•          Chandragupta-II was the first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins bearing lion figure similar in pattern with Saka coins.
•         Mehrauli iron pillar inscription (Delhi’s Qurub-minar complex) of Chandragupta-II records that Chandragupta-II defeated Valhikas of Bactria crossing the Saptsindhu.
•         Kalidasa and Amarsinha lived in his court.
•         Chinese Buddhist monk Fa-hsien visited his court.

KUMARGUPTA I

(414 CE – 455 CE)

•          Karamdanda (Fyzabad) inscription refers to king Kumargupta 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 Kumargupta I
•          Kumargupta I performed Ashwamedha yajna and assumed titles like Ashwamedha-Mahendra and Mahendraditya
•          Himself a devotee of Shiva, Kumargupta I issued Kartikeya type of coins bearing 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.

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

•          Feudal lords (recipients of the land grants) stared asserting themselves and started setting up their own dynasties.
•         Decentralized bureaucracy and absence of 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

•         King was assisted by council of minister.
•          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

•         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 ‘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

•          Society became clearly feudalistic, Brahmins (Brahmadiyas & Agraharas)and feudal chiefs received land grants.
•          Position of women and Shudras improved Both were allowed listen 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 absence of crime and death penalty.
•          Vishti was forced labour to serve 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 deity.
•         Religious texts like Puaranas, Mahabharata and Ramayana were expanded in this period.
•          Bhagvatism centered around Vishnu emerged.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

•          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– making made considerable growth with evidences 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 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 belongs to this period.

Kalidasa

•          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