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TheGupta Dynasty– History Study Materials

THE DYNASTY (AD 320-550)

The Gupta Dynasty Era is often remembered as the central Asia), who were yet another group in the long Classical Age. Under the Gupta rulers, most of North succession of ethnically and culturally different was reunited. The extended from outsiders drawn into India and then woven into the the Brahmaputra to the Yamuna and Chambal, from hybrid Indian fabric. the Himalayas to the Narmada. Because of the relative Coins of Kushana Dynasty peace, law and order, and extensive cultural achievements during this period, it has been described The Kushana ruler used their coinage to establish as a Golden Age that crystallised the elements of what and highlight their own superiority. The Idea of is generally known as the Hindu culture, showing the ruler on the coins was not popular in India. All the previous dynasties minted; coins The Gupta depicting only symbols. The Kushana rulers Dynasty popularised this idea which remained in use for the next 2,000 years. The coinage system developed by Shri Gupta (Founder) the Kushanas was copied by the later Indian 319-335 CE dynasties such , as well as by the neighbouring rulers such as Sassdnians (of Persia). 335- It is very unfortunate that very few evidences of the 376 CE Kushana rule could be found today. Perhaps, the coins are only evidence we have of this illustratious dynasty. Kushana coins tell so much about the Chandragupta Ramagupta images of the kings. The coins tell us how the rulers 376-451 CE wished to be see by their subjects. the porteaits on the Kushana coins of are Kumaragupta suprisingly individulistic. He is often depicted as a 415-445 CE full-bearded, big nosed, fierce looking warrio- chieftain, perhaps with a deformed kull, wearing high helmettunic, overcoat and boots. 455-467 CE Features of the Gupta dynasty with all its variety, contradiction and systhesis the golden Age was confined to the north, and the classical The Gupta Dynasty is called the Golden Age of patterns began to spread south only after the Gupta the language and the Classical and the Empire had vanished from the historical scene. The Classical age of ancient India because of the military exploits of the first three rulers— following: (ad 320-335). Samudragupta (ad 335- (a) There was political unity; foreign rule was 376) and Chandragupta H (ad 376— 415)—brought all completely removed and peace and of the under their leadership. From peosperity prevailed. their, capital, they, sought to retain (b) Of the englightened character of political pre-eminence as much by pragmatism and government, that is, taxes were light judicious marriage alliances as by military strength. punishment mild, etc. Despite their self-conferred titles, their overlordship (c) Of the revial of , while, there was was threatened and by ad 500 ultimately ruined by the tolerance of all other religions. Hun as (a branch of the White emanating from (d) Use of Sanskrit developed, and art and examsdaily.in Page 1

TheGupta Dynasty– History Study Materials

literature Hourished during the period. Gupta kingaom in . He visited india in 672 (e) Of the great personages who lived during AD and came to know about MaharajaSri Gupta this period include: , poet and who had got constructed a temple for chinese dramatist known as the Shakespeare of pilgrims near Mrigasikhavana. l-tsing provides the India; Aryabhatta Varahamihira and date for this occurrence just as 500 years ago. The Brahmagupta, the great mathematicians and date provided by him does not match with other astronomers, Kumarila Bhatta and sources. Therefore, it is though that his calculation Shankaracharya, the great preachers of were not a cccurare but merely a guess. The most Hinduism and Dhanwantri, the great likely date for the reign of Sri Gupta is also 240 to physician. 230. His successor ruled probady (f) Fa-hien, a Chinese pilgrim who visited from circa AD 280 to 319. In contrast to his India (AD 399-414) duririg Vikramadilya's successer, he is also referred to in inscriptions as reign, gave an excellent account of the ‘’. At the beginning of the fourth century Gupta Dynasty and prosperity of the the Guptas ruled a few small Kingdoms in a country. Magadha and , Ghatokacha had a son named Chandragupta. In a breakthrough deal Art and Architecture of Sunga and Chandragupta was married to Kumaradevi, a Andra Dynasties Lichchhavi - the main power in Magadha. With a dowry of the kingdom o‘ Magadha (cap al Pota The earliest extant stupas dale from the Sunga- ioutta) and an alliance with the lichchhavis, Dynasly (second to first century BC) and early Chandragupta set about expanding his power, Andhra Dynasty (first century BC). These relic conquering much of Magadha. Prayaga end Saketa. mounds are surrounded by railings and gateways He established a realm strecthing from the gargetic covered with carved ornaments. One of the main: basin, modem to modern Ayadhya and stupas is at Bharhut. Relief medallions of Buddha's Magadha by AD 320. Chandragupta is the first of life or of the jatakas (tales of his previous lives) are the Guptas to be referred to as ‘Maharajadhiraja' or shallow cut, with all the incidents of each story thr ‘King of Kings'. arranged within a single com position. The bodies of semi divine beings including ypkshis (female tree spirits) are flattened against the pillar of which they IMPORTANT GUPTA RULERS form part; prarta was still emphasised; The Sri Gupta was the founder of the Gupta Important stupa at shows a similar style. Dynasty. He ruled over parts of and at that time Important carvings on the gateways of another stupa Gupta was a small kingdom. His son Ghatotkacha at Sanchi date from the early Andhra period. The Gupta also finds a very small mention just like his yakshis have acquired full, graceful forms and high father. But Chandragupta I, his son and grandson of Sri relief compositions are frequently conceived in a Gupta, was the first powerful Gupta emperor. continuous method of narration. The carved railing (a) Chandragupta I (ad 320-335) founded the from Bodh Gaya, the place of Buddha's empire around a 320 in Magadha and ruled till AD enlightenment and the earliest surviving wall 330. He was called ‘the King of Kings. He married paintings are also early Andhra; paintings: in the Kumara Devi, the Lichhavi princess, and as there was rock cut cave at Ajanta narrate no heir to the Lichhaviya throne, he merged it to his empire, which further strengthened his position. He Origin of the Guptas died in AD 335 leaving his son Samudragupta a vast empire extending troin Patali-putra to Prayag. The origin of the Guptas are still notclear. I-tsing the (b) Samudragupta (AD 335—375), the successor Chinese traveller gives rhe first indication of the of Chandragupta I was known as the Indian Napolean examsdaily.in Page 2

TheGupta Dynasty– History Study Materials

as he never suffered defeat in the battlefield. His four killing the Saka king. Later, Chandragupta II married main campaigns are mentioned in a pillar inscription. the queen and also ascended the throne. It was actually an pillar and later (c) Chandragupta II or (ad 375- Samudragupta added his inscription to it. Harisena, 413) was the son of Samudragupta and is also referred the commander-in-chief, of Sanumdrugupla’s army to as the Vikrara of Ujjain. He removed foreign rule was the author of this edict. completely from India. He ruled close to 4of years. He The account of his campaigns is as follows: is remembered as the best Gupta ruler as he completed Northern campaign He defeated Aryavartha many of the campaigns that were left incomplete by (nine kings of the valley—King Achutha, King his predecessor. Many historians term him as tire hero Chandravurman, King Nagasena. King Balavarman. of the Indian history. Pataliputra and Ujjain became King Ruilradeva. King Nandin, King Nagadatta, King the prominent cities in the world map during his reign. Mathila and King Ganapathinaga). He made Ujjain the biggest commercial city in India as Central campaign He defeated the forest he gained control of the trade routes in the Arabian kingdoms of Jabalpur, Rewa and Nagpur. He also Scu. India started gaining heavily from Egyptian and defeated many kingdoms of the upper Vindhya region. European contacts. He gathered wealth that made India Conquest of tribal kingdoms He captured the a prosperous country for many future centuries. Books Sunderban Kingdom, the and Haw-aka mentioned that he once filled the Kailahnath temple at Kingdoms (near main), the Kingdom of , Kanchi with gold. he issued many gold and silver the Karturpura Kingdom, the Yaudheyas Kingdom (in coins, which describe the political greatness and I Satluj valley), the Madrnka Kingdom (on the banks abundance of wealth of his empire. Nine great gems of the Ravi and Cncnab nvers. in ) and the adorned his court. Arjunayan Kingdom (). He defeated the neighbouring kingdoms of (King Devaputra), Sl Name of Contributi Works that Ceylon (King Meghavarma). Southern conquest He . the on in the Made them Conquered - King Mahindra of Bilajpur, King N Person Field of Famous Matharaja of Kowrala (both in ): King o 1. Kshapanak Jyothisyashastra Dhananjaya of Kustalapura (Karnataka); King of Astrology Mahakanthara. King Swamydatta of Kattura (both in a Orissa region); King Mahendra qf Pistapura, King 2. Dhanvuntri Ayurveda (Book of Medicine Medicine) Damana of Yarandapalli, King Hastivarman of Vcngi 3. Kalidasa Drama and Shakuntala, (all in Andhra); King Vishnugopa of Kanchi, King Poetry Meghaduta etc. Neelaraj of Avamukta (both in Tamil Nadu region); 4. Amarasimh Lexicograph Amarakosha(Gloss King Kuvera in Devarastra (Devagiri region in a y ary) ) and King Ugrasena of Palakka (Palghat 5. Varahumih region of Kerala). ira Astrology Brihadsamhita Samudragupta was not only a matchless 6. Grammar Vyakarana(Sanskri t) conquerer but also an able administrator. He was also a 7. Sanku Architecture Shilpashastra very good poet and at many places he is referred to as 8. Vetalabhatt Magic Mantrashastra Kaviraa. He had two sons, Ramagupta and a Chandragupta II. As per the records, Ramagupta was 9. Harisen Poet made king after the death of Samudragupta, but he was a coward and afraid of the Saka king. He was too Fa-hien (AD 399-411), a Chinese traveller, has written afraid of fighting with the Sakas when they challenged about India during the reign of Chandragupta II. lie him to surrender Queen to the Saka king. came from China to study the original Buddhist texts It was his younger brother who saved the queen by unit was greatly influenced by the superior architecture examsdaily.in Page 3

TheGupta Dynasty– History Study Materials

and politicalgreatness Chandragupta II provided to expenses incurred the wars and civil unrest depreciated India. the Gupta currency. This coupled with the repehfed Rise of Chandragupta II Huna attacks became the prime reason for the Elapse of the Gupta Empire. The later Guptai were Puru Chandragupta II ruled until AD 413. He married Gupta. Narasimha Baladityav Kumara Gupta II, the daughter of the king of Deccan, Rudrasena, Tathagata Gupta or Gupta, Kumara Gupta III and and gained a valuable ally. Only marginally less Gupta. By the Huna king Toraman and his son war-like than his falhor, he expanded his realm Mihiragula because powerful and'controlled central westwards, defeating the Saka Satraps of , India for some time. By then the descendants of the , and Saurasktra. in a campaign lusting Gupta Dynasty ruled only apart aPataliputra as several until AD 409 but with his main opponent states that were merged with the Gupta Empire had Rudrasimho III defeated by au 395, and become independent. After Vishnu Gupta the empire crushinng the Bengal (Vanga) chiefdoms. This collapsed, its fragmented remnants existed here and extended his control from coast to coast, there, till they too. finally disappeared from the established a second (trading) capital al Ujjain historical map of India by the end of sixth centun ad. and was the high point ol the empire Despite the After the decline of the Gupta Empire, another line of creation of the empire through war, the realm is kings with names ending with ‘Gupta’ rose in the remembered for the great growth in Hindu art, Magadh region. However, there is no evidence of their literature, culture, and science, especially during genealogical relationship with that of the Imperial the reign of Chandragupta II. Guptas. The Vallahha in Gujarat, the Gowda-padas in Bengal and the descendants of Pushyabhuti in Sthaneshwar became independent Simultaneously, LATER GUPTAS another line of Mukhari kings emerged m the northern Chandragupta II had two queens, Dhruvadevi plains of Kanauj. Out of the chaos emerged the and Kuberanaga Govindagupta and powerful kingdom of Sthaneshwar. Towards the end of were the two sons of Chandragupta (I from the first the century, the Maukari dynasty. Mukharis defeated queen and a daughter Vakataka was from his second the Guptas and captured the entire of the Magadha queen. Kumaragupta I ascended the throne after his region. The Guptas then moved towards the east, father Chandragupta II, in AD 414 Although not many where they came underthe influence of King details of his reign are ava,ilable, he ruled close to 40 ('s father) of years dunng which he performed the (). The last king in the . yajna, which indicates his military Towards the end of Ghrahavarman, died without heirs and Kanauj passed his life the Gupta Empire was constant threat of to his brother-in-law Harsha (whose reign is discussed invasion by the Hunas rulers. He died in AD 455. His later). When Harshu’s Empire fell, the Guptas again son, Skandagupta Vikramaditya (AD 455- emerged under King Aditysen(AD 675). but they were 467)succeeded him. But Skandagupu had to face a finally defeated by another Maukahri King of Kanauj, political crisis, because of the threat from the other Yasovarma, in the eighth century. heirs to the Gupta Administration throne, during his 12 years of reign. The Gupta Empire Much light is thrown on the nature of Chandragupta became brittle from within because of the political Vikramaditya’s administration by Fa-hien’s narrative unrest and this opportunity was utilised by the inscriptions that have hitlicrto been discovered. invanding Hunas ruler. Skandagupta is reported to Vikramadityahimself was a devout Vaishnvlie, but had have repulsed with vigour and strength to save the appointed many people from other scots in high posts empire. But this temporary set back for the Hunas who in his court. His counsellor (mantrin) Shikaravamin invaded again succeeded in the long run. The heavy and his minister of peace Saha-Virasena) were Saivitis. His commander-in -chief, examsdaily.in Page 4

TheGupta Dynasty– History Study Materials

Amarakarddava, was a Buddhist. However, Aryabhatta’s expositions on astronomy in ad 499. regarding the machinery of administration we do not moreover, gave calculations of the solar year and the have many details. But various inscriptions detail the shape and movement of astral bodies with remarkable following facts: The king raja, was mostly nominated accuracy. In medicine Charaka and Sushruta wrote by his predecessor. The king was regarded as a about a fully evolved system, resembling those of divinity—Achintya Purusha (or Incomprehensible Hippocrates and Galen in Greece. Although progress Being) and Dhanadaa- Varunendrantaka- sama, which in physiology and biology was hindered by religious means equal to Kuvera, Varuna. and Yama.as injunctions against contact with dead bodies, which well as Loka dhama deva (meaning a God dwelling on discouraged dissection and anatomy. Indian physicians earth). He is assisted by the Chief Minister. Sachiva or excelled in pharmacopoeia, caesarean section, bone Mantri, who was the chief advisor to the king. The post setting and skin grafting. of Sachiva was also determined by heredity. There was Sanskrit Literature Mahabharata and were further a central council of ministers, also called given the last touch in this era as it saw the last phase Mantri Parishad, but the existence of local parishads of Smriti literature. Sanskrit was the official language. has also been proved by a Barash seal discovered by The were composed during this era containing 'Block’. The entire empire was divided, into a number information on Hindu sects, rites and customs in the of provinces called desas, bhuktis, etc. which were classical Sanskrit language. further sub-divided into districts called pradesas or Buddhist literature Buddhist literature Was vishayas. The desas were governed by officers called translated from Pali to Sanskrit. Notable writers Goptris and the hukiis were usually governed by include names like Arya Deva, Arya Asanga, Uparikas or Uparika Maharaja. The heads of vishayas and Dignage. Vasubandhu is known for were called Vishyapatis. These districts were further the first book on logic, a Buddhist work. divided into mandats, which were again sub-divided Gupta Administration into khomas. The village panchayats, which were autonomous bodies, were pivotal in; handling the daily King— Paramadvaita, Paramabhattataka, administrative affairs of the village. The Purupala or Maharajadhiraj, Samrat; Chakravartin Nagaragakshaka looked after the administration of Chief Minister—Sachiva, Mantri towns and cities. But Parishads, the municipal councils King's Advisor or, committees, were also an important element in the Military Officers: machinery of the local government. Commander—Infanity—Bhatasvapati Commander—Elephant corps—Katuka Gupta Literature Chief Treasury War Office— The most significant achievements of this period, Ranabhandagaradhikorana however, were in religion, education, mathematics' art Foreign Minister—Sandhivigrahika of and Sanskrit literature and drama. The religion that Mahasandhivigrahika Superintendent of Central and later developed into modem Hinduism witnessed Provincial Offices—Saravadhyakshas acrystallisation of its components: major sectarian Commercial Royal Officers— Dutaka (dutas) denies, image worship, devotionalism and the Chief of Police—Dandapasadhi karana importance of the temple. Education included Other Police Officers—Chauroddhoraniko (for grammar, composition, logic, metaphysics, thieves), mathematics, medicine and astronomy. These subjects Chatas, Bhatas, Dandaparika, etc. became highly specialised and reached an advanced Provincial Administration Officers— level. The numeral system—sometimes erroneously Kumaramatyas and Ayukfas Governor of Province attributed to the Arabs, who took it from India to — Uparikas, who governed Bhukh's (provinces) Europe where it replaced the Roman system—and the Other Officers of Province—Bhogika Gcpta, decimal system are Indian inventions of this period. Rojasthanicrs, Upanka-maharaja . examsdaily.in Page 5

TheGupta Dynasty– History Study Materials

Districts of Province and its Mead Officer— Shakuntala, Malavikagnimitra, Meghaduta, Vishayas headed by VishayapaHs Vikramorvaashi. Rutusamhara etc. by Kalidasa, Headquarter of District—Adhishthana District Amamkasa by Amarsimha; Ashtadhyayi, Sanskrit grammar based on Panini’s Magistrate—Samvyavahari and Ayuktokas Village work; Mahahhashya, Sanskrit grammar based on Elders—Moharatranas Patanjali's work; Chief of Police - Dandopasadh i karana Other Police Chandravyakaranam, book of grammar by a Bengali Officers— Chauroddharanika (for thieves), Chatas, Buddhist scholar Chandragomia; Bhatos, Dandaparika etc. Siddhanta by Aryabhatta, dealing in the study of Provincial Administration Officers — the solar system; Kumaramatyas and Ayuktas Governor of Province Aryabhattiyarn by Aryabhatta, a study of arithmetic, geometry and algebra; — Upankas, who governed Bhukti's (provinces) Brahmasphuta Siddhanta and Khanda Khadyaka by Other Officers of Province—Bhogika. Gopta, Brahmagupta dealing with the principle of gravity; Rajasthanias, Upanko-maharaja Brihat Samhita, Pancha Siddhantika, and Brihat Jataka Districts of Province and its Head Officer— by Varahamihara, dealing in astronomy, physical Vishayas headed by Vishayapatis geography, botany and natural history; (Navanitakam Headquarter of District—Adhishthana by Varahamihara is a manual of prescriptions for metallic preparations (using from and mercury) for District Magistrate—Samvyovahori and Ayuhakas medicinal purposes; Village Elders—Maharattanas Hastyayurveda by Palakapya deals with veterinary Office In-charge of Families Asthakuladhi- science and animal husbandry; hKaranikas in local area (minimum eight families) Ghokoki, a travelogue on India, by Fa-hein; Village Headman—Gramikot Parmanasamuchchya by Dignana; Tax Collectors—Utkhetayita Mahayanasampraigrah, Yogachara and Bhumashastra forest and Forts In-charge— Gramika by Asaga; Vasavadatta by Subandhu; Brahmin Settlements In-charge—Agriaharika Uttararamacharita, Malathi Madhva and Mahaveera- Land Revenue Head Officer— Dharuvadhikaranika charita by Bhavabhuti; Treasurer-Bhandagaradbikrita Mrichacatika by Shudraka, a drama on clay craft; Village Accountant— Talavataka Mudraraksha by Vishakhadatta, a play dealing with the Record Keeper and Notary Authority— Pustapata king . Customs and Toll Collector— Saulvika Kiratharjuneeya by Bharavi; The Advisory District Council mainly constituted of Vishnupurana, Shivapurana and Bharthuharishataka by Bharthuhari; four members Dhutavakya, Swapanavasavadata, Chief, the Guild President — Nagarasreshthi Pratignayougandarayana and The Head Merchant— Sarthavaha Madhyamavyayoga by Bhasa; The Head Artisan — Prathamakulika Vedas Devanagri, compilation of four Vedas in The Head Scribe—Prathamakayastha Devanagari script on palm leaves in AD 500 by Mayor of the City— Purapala Vasukra (as chief editor); Ravanavadha (Bhattikavya) by Bhatti; Important Officers of the Royal Courts — Kamasutra, Nyayabhashya by Vatsayana; and Parthiharas and Mahaparthiharas Kavyadarshna, Avanthisundarikata by Dandi Jain literature Jain works were mainly in Prakrit dialects. Vimala (who wrote the Jaina version of translated Ramayanan) and Divatara (author of a book on logic) are notable writers. Itihas and Puranas Kumaragupta I were also translated in jaina versions. Other notable works and authors of the are Also called Mahendraditya, Kumaragupta ruled Kaviraja by Samudragupta; the Gupta Empire during the period AD 414 to 455. The Bilsad inscription is the oldest record of his examsdaily.in Page 6

TheGupta Dynasty– History Study Materials

reign and it cares to Gupta, 96 which corresponds to invaders who came later. Notable stone sculptures of ad 415. The last known date his reiqn occurs on an the Guptas include the Buddha at Samath and the great inscription on one of his, silver coins, corresponding boar (Varaha) at the entrance of the ; to AD 445. Towards the end of his reign, a tribe in metal sculptures include the Buddha, an 18 ft the Nerbudda valley, the Pushyamitras, rose in statue in Nalanda, and the Sultanganj Buddha, a power to threaten the empire. Kumaragup'a's 7 1/2 ft statue in Sultanganj. successer Skandagupta defeated this threat but then was faced with invading Huns from, the north-west. Notable Facts About the Gupta Period The expense of'the wars drained tne regime and Skandagupta is usually considered the last of the (a) The reunification of North India under the Imperial Guptas in AD 320 and the regin of great rulers. He died in AD 480 and, was succeeded Harshavardhana of Kanauj comprised by his son . Much of the empire was India’s classical age. over run by the Huns by AD 500. Narasimhagupta (b) The Guptas established their base of was followed by Budahagupta and . The imperial power in Magadha, where last recognised ruler was Vishnugupta, reigning controlled rich veins of iron from the from AD 540 to 550. Barabar Hills. (c) The Peak of Gupta power and cultural glory Gupta Arfs was attained during the regin of Chandragupta II. During the gupta age, the Nagara and the Dravida (d) Numismatic evidence attests to the final styles of Architecture were prominent. Rock-cut defeat of the Shakas by the Guptas after caves, with novel ornamentation and designs, were which the Gupta Empire had direct control also excavated during this period. The art of painting over thw parts of the Arabian Sea and the reached a high level during this era. Gupta artists riches of Western trade. mostly painted incidents from the life of '"Buddha. (e) Kalidasa’a Abhijnana Sakuntalam was a Notable works are in the caves at Ajanta and Ellora major literary work of this period. (f) During the Gupta era, Hindu, Buddhist and (Maharashtra), Bagh (Madhya Pradesh) and Udayagiri jain faiths received royal support. (Orissa). The painting of Mother and Child al Ajanta (g) The gupta era also marked the apogee of demonstrates the art of the painters during this era. cave art and sculpture. Originully, most of the 39 caves at Ajanta had (h) Commerce and stimulated India paintings, hul now only 6 caves with painting survive. intercourse with China and south-east Asia The Ellora cave temples were started during the Gupta at this time. (i) The Gupta Empire was supported primarily period. However, work on them continued during the by the land revenue ‘share’ (tax) provided reigns of the Vakatakas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. by India’s peasant villages from every Out of the 34 Ellora caves, only 12 caves are Buddhist, harvest. while three arc Jain and 15 ait Hindu. They built a (j) For half a century after the collapse of the large number of high stupas in (Uttar Pradesh), Gupta Empire, North India reverted to the Ratnagiri (Orissa) and Mirpur Khan (). Gupta political fragmentation before the Guptas. architecture is also represented by many brick temples (k) Yoga, one of the six schools of classical Hindu philosophy that emerged in this era, in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal. Bihar and continues to be studied to his day. Assam. The most famous is the temple at Bhitargaon (l) The political system of South India should (near Kanpur) with moulded and decorated bricks. not be thought of as a group of competing, Incidents from Hindu mythology are inscribed all over centrally developed bureaucratic state, as the walls and then pyramidal roof of this temple was case in the North. Another important temple with 40 ft high towers is the Dashavatara temple near Deogarh. Many of the buildings of this era were demolished by the Muslim examsdaily.in Page 7

TheGupta Dynasty– History Study Materials

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