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The Golden Age – the Gupta Empire) Class – 6 Subject – History & Civics Chapter – 6 (The Golden Age – The Gupta Empire) After the fall of the Mauryas, it took five centuries for Magadha to regain its lost glory. During this period, a number of regional powers ruled in various parts of India. It was the rulers of the Gupta Dynasty who consolidated northern India in the 4th century AD. The Gupta Empire was not as large the Mauryan Empire, but it lasted much longer and kept north India united for more than a century. It was a period which witnessed not only an efficient system of administration but is also famous for its cultural achievements. Therefore, it is called the Golden Age of ancient India. The Early Rulers The origin of the Guptas is not very clear. Records mention the first two rulers of this dynasty as Maharaja Srigupta and his son Ghatotkachagupta. Chandagupta I (320 AD – 335 AD) Chandragupta I was the first ruler to assume the imperial title of maharajadhiraja. It was he who raised the power and prestige of the Gupta Dynasty. Not much is known about Chandragupta I except that he married the Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi. This marriage strengthened his position and prestige. Certain coins, containing the figure of Kumaradevi on one side and Goddess Lakshmi on the other, suggest the importance of this marriage. Samudragupta (335 AD – 375 AD) Samudragupta was a great ruler of this dynasty. He extended his kingdom far and wide. We get an account of his character and achievement in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription. This inscription, known as Prayag Prashasti, is in Sanskrit and was composed by his court poet Harisena. Samudragupta’s Conquests Samudragupta adopted a policy of conquests and annexed territories in phases and groups. • He first defeated the rulers of Aryavarta or northern India. He annexed their kingdoms to his empire. • The king then marched against the rulers of south India (Dakshinapath). • The kingdoms of Assam and Nepal and some republics of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh also surrendered to him and paid tribute. • The frontier kingdoms (Kushana and Shaka chief) also submitted because they were not powerful enough to oppose Samudragupta. Thus, Samudragupta carved an extensive empire comprising nearly the whole of northern India, except Kashmir and Sindh. After his military triumphs, he performed the famous horse-sacrifice (ashvamedh yajna) to proclaim his imperial supremacy. Famous Historian V.A. Smith describes him as the ‘Napoleon of India’. Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) Chandragupta II occupied the throne in 375 AD and is famous in history as Chandragupta Vikramaditya. He followed his father Samudragupta’s policy of word-conquest. He strengthened his position by military conquests as well as matrimonial alliances. He defeated the Shaka satraps of Malwa, Gujarat and Kathiawar. After victory over Shaka rulers, he took the title ‘Shakari’ ( the enemy of Shakas). Achievements of Chandragupta II The reign of Chandragupta II witnessed the climax of Gupta glory. Fa-Hien, the Chinese pilgrim, visited India during his Reign. He has given a detailed account of the people and the efficient administration of Gupta empire. • Chandragupta II was a patron of literature and arts. His court had nine gems, the most famous among them being Kalidas. • He developed trade relations with China as well as with Rome and Egypt. • Peace, prosperity and development in fields of arts, literature and science made his reign the high point of the Golden Age of Ancient India. Successors of Chandragupta II Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son, Kumaragupta. He probably kept intact the vast dominions inherited from his father. He was succeeded by his son, Skandagupta who defeated the Huns, a barbarian tribe. Skandagupta died in 467 AD. His successors were weak and could not check the advance of the Huns. Thus, fortunes of the Gupta empire started declining. The Huns seized extensive regions in the north-west. That hastened the fall of the Gupta empire. Fa-Hein’s Account of India The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hein visited India during Chandragupta II’s reign. He stayed in India for 14 years and visited Mathura, Kashi, Patilaputra, Nalanda and Kapilavastu. He wrote his experiences and observations in a book entitled Fo-Kwo-Ki. The book gives an account of the life of the people, their religious beliefs and the general conditions of the country. • Fa-Hein wrote that Patilaputra had two grand monasteries where about 700 Buddhist monks lived. • He was deeply impressed by the wealth and prosperity of the people. • Rest house exited in large towns as well as on highways for the comfort of travelers. • Caste-system prevailed in society. Economic Conditions Agriculture was the main occupation of the people. The country was famous for its mineral wealth. Besides agriculture, both internal and external trade and commerce flourished. Export goods included cloth, silk, precious stones, pearls, perfumes, spices and herbs, while imports were made in gold, silver, tin, lead and horses. All important cities and ports were linked with a network of good roads. The major cities were Ujjain, Prayag, Mathura and Patilaputra. Religious Conditions • Revival of Brahmanism. • Religious Toleration. • Bhakti Cult Administration of The Guptas The Gupta rulers established an efficient system of administration – • The King and his Ministers. • Provincial and District Administration. • Local Administration. Golden Age of Ancient India The Gupta rule was a period of prosperity and peace that led to remarkable progress in the fields of literature, art and sciences. That is why the period came to be known as the ‘Golden Age’ of ancient India. Literature Literature made remarkable progress under the patronage of Gupta rulers. The Gupta age was the golden age for Sanskrit literature. Chandragupta II had nine luminaries or literary gems in his court. Kalidas was the most brilliant of them. Education The establishment of Nalanda, Taxila and Vikramsila universities as the important centres of learning shows the contribution of the Gupta rulers to the spread of education. Subjects like Philosophy, Vedic literature, Astronomy and medicine were taught at Nalanda university. Science Science, Mathematics, Astronomy also made remarkable progress during the Gupta rule. Aryabhatta was a great mathematician and astronomer of this age who wrote Surya Siddhanta. Varahamihira was another great scientist of this age whose contributions have enriched Astronomy and Geography. Art and Architecture Architecture, sculpture, painting and music also flourished during this age. A large number of temples were built. The Dasvatara temple (Vishnu) at Deograh, near Jhansi, is an example of high architectural skill. Several images of Vishnu, Shiva and other deities were excavated at Sarnath, Mathura and other places and are the finest specimens of art. Paintings of Ajanta and Bagh caves are great specimens of painting. Activities :- • Collect pictures of Iron Pillar and some of the painting on the walls of Ajanta cave and paste them in your notebook. Question and Answers :- Ques-1) Who was the founder of the Gupta dynasty? Ans- Srigupta was the founder of the Gupta dynasty. Ques-2) Who was Fa-Hein? Which places did he visit? Ans- Fa-Hein was a Chinese pilgrim, who visited India during Chandragupta II’s reign. He stayed in India for 14 years and visited Mathura, Kashi, Patilaputra, Nalanda and Kapilavastu. He wrote his experiences and observations in a book entitled Fo-Kwo-Ki. Ques-3) Which Gupta ruler defeated the Huns? Ans- Skandagupta defeated the Huns, a barbarian tribe. Ques-4) Which Gupta ruler is known as Vikramaditya? Ans- Chandragupta II is known as Vikramaditya. Ques-5) Name the most famous play written by Kalidas. Ans- Abhijnana Shakuntalam is the most famous play written by Kalidas. Ques-6) What is the most remarkable feature of the Iron Pillar of Delhi? Ans- The most remarkable feature of the Iron Pillar of Delhi is that it has not rusted although it was constructed in 4th century AD and is fully exposed to rain and sun. Ques-7) In what way did Samudragupta treat the rulers of Dakshinapath? Ans- Samudragupta defeated the twelve rulers of South (Dakshinapath), but did not annex their kingdoms. This was because he realized that in the absence of proper transport and communication facilities it would not be easy to control these remote areas. Therefore, he allowed them to rule and pay tribute to the Gupta empire. Ques-8) Name the two literary works of Vishakhadatta. Ans- The two literary works of Vishakhadatta are Mudrarakshas and Devi Chandraguptam. Qures-9) Who was Varahamihira? Ans- Varahamihira was a great scientist of the Gupta age whose contributions have enriched Astronomy and Geography. Ques-10) What is the specialty of the painting of the Ajanta Caves? Ans- The Ajanta Caves depict various events from the life of Gautama Buddha and the previous bodhisattvas. Ques-11) Who was the most popular deity of the Gupta period? Ans- Vishnu was the most popular deity of the Gupta period. Ques-12) Discuss the conquests of Samudragupta. Ans- i) He first defeated the rulers of Aryavarta or northern India. He annexed their kingdoms to his empire. ii) The king then marched against the rulers of south India (Dakshinapath). iii) The kingdoms of Assam and Nepal and some republics of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh also surrendered to him and paid tribute. iv) The frontier kingdoms (Kushana and Shaka chief) also submitted because they were not powerful enough to oppose Samudragupta. .
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