Gupta Empire (320 BC-550 AD)

Background of the Gupta Empire

● After the decline of the rulers of the Kushan dynasty in North India and the
Satavahana dynasty in the region of the Deccan, a new dynasty emerged,
which is known as the ‘Gupta Empire’.
● Probably the Guptas were feudatories of the ‘Kushanas’.
● The military technical and matrimonial relations obtained from the Kushans
played an important role in the promotion and strengthening of the Gupta
Empire.
● Initially, the kingdom of Gupta dynasty was spread over Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar.
● Samudragupta's 'Prayag Prashasti' gives information about the early kings of
the Gupta dynasty. (Allahabad pillar inscription)
● The Gupta period is referred to as the "Golden Age" in ancient India because
of the many achievements in the fields of art, literature, science and
technology. It also led to the political integration of the subcontinent.
● Shrigupta had established the Gupta dynasty and assumed the title of
'Maharaj' in it.

Chandragupta I (319-335 AD)

● He was the son of Ghatotkacha. (son of Srigupta)
● Chandragupta I is considered the real founder of the Gupta dynasty which
began with his accession in 319 - 320 CE.
● He expanded his kingdom through conquests. His territory extended from
the river Ganges to Prayag
Varanasitill &321 AD.
Prayagraj till 321 AD.
● He married the Licchavi princess ‘Kumaradevi’ and got the kingdom of
Vaishali. He received Patliputra as dowry from the Licchavis.
● He issued coins bearing the joint names of his queen, the Licchavi princess
'Kumaradevi' and himself.
● He first assumed the title of 'Maharajadhiraja' (great king of kings).

• His empire included parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and modern Bihar,
with its capital at Pataliputra.

• He is considered the first great king of the Gupta Empire.

 ● His empire included parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and modern Bihar, with
its capital at Pataliputra.
● He is considered the first great king of the Gupta Empire.

Samudragupta (335 - 380 CE)

● Samudragupta, the son of Chandragupta I was his successor and the most
illustrious ruler of the Gupta dynasty.
● Samudragupta's mother belonged to the Licchavi clan.
● He greatly expanded the Gupta Empire.
● The Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayaga - Prashasti) gives a detailed
account of his achievements.
● This inscription was composed in Sanskrit by his court poet Harishena.
● This inscription, written on the Ashoka Pillar at Allahabad, praises
Samudragupta as a Warrior, Scholar and Poet.
● court
• Samudragupta's Samudragupta's court
poet Harishena was poet Harishena
given the postswas given the post of
of 'Sandhivigrahak' 'Sandhivigrahak',
(ministry of external affairs),
'Maha Dandanayaka' (chief Justice) and 'Kumaramatya' (chief minister/ prime minister).
'Maha Dandanayaka' and 'Kumaramatya'.
● Samudragupta has been called 'Licchavi Dauhitra' in Prayag Prashasti.
● He
He isis known
knownbybythe
thetitle
title
of of Kaviraja
'Kaviraja' (King
(King amongamong poets)
poets) because
because ofability
of his his to compose
ability to
verses. compose verses.
Samudragupta was the first Gupta ruler who adopted the title 'Param Bhagawata'.
● He was an ardent follower of Vaishnavism but was tolerant of other
religions. He showed a keen interest in Buddhism and was a patron of the
great Buddhist scholar Vasubandhu.
● Historian VA Smith has called Samudragupta the 'Napoleon of India'.

Major conquests of Samudragupta (According to the Prayag-Prasasti)

• Samudragupta●completed
Samudragupta completed
his victory hisinvictory
campaign campaign in total 5 phases.
total 5 phases.
● In the first phase, Samudragupta defeated the nine rulers of northern India or
• In the first phase, Samudragupta defeated the 9 rulers of northern India or 'Aryavarta' and directly merged
Aryavarta and directly merged these states into his empire.
these states into his empire. This policy is known as the 'Digvijaya' policy.
● In the second phase, Samudragupta captured the region of Punjab.
● In the
• In the second phase, Samudragupta
third phase, captured the region
Samudragupta of Punjab.
defeated the Atvik states of the Vindhya
• In the third phase,region.
Samudragupta defeated the Atvik states of the Vindhya region.
● He defeated 12 rulers of South India in the fourth phase.
• In the fourth phase, He defeated 12 rulers of South India or 'Dakshinapatha' but let them rule their own
● In the fifth phase, Samudragupta defeated some foreign states of North-West
kingdoms under his thumb. This policy is known as 'Grahana' (capturing the enemies), 'Anugraha'
(liberating them) & India.
'Parimoksha' (favoring by reinstating them in his kingdom)- also called 'Dharmavijaya' policy.

• In the fifth phase, Samudragupta defeated some foreign states of North-West India.

• After these victories, Samudragupta performed Ashwamedha Yajna and assumed the title of
'Ashwamedha Parakram'.
Chandragupta II (380 - 415 CE)
• He was the son of Samudragupta and his successor.

• However, it is known from the play 'Devichandraguptam' composed by Visakhadatta that after Samudragupta,
● After these victories, Samudragupta performed Ashwamedha Yajna and
Ramagupta became the Gupta ruler, who was the Elder brother of Chandragupta II.
assumed the title of 'Ashwamedha Parakram'.
• During the reign of Chandragupta II, the Gupta dynasty reached its zenith by expanding territories through
conquest as well as matrimonial alliances.
Chandragupta II (380 - 415 CE)
• He married the●Naga princess
He was Kubernaga.
the son of Samudragupta and his successor.
• He married off ●hisHowever, it is knowntofrom
daughter Prabhavati the play prince
the Vakataka 'Devichandraguptam' composed
of Deccan, Rudrasena II. by
Visakhadatta that after Samudragupta, Ramagupta became the Gupta ruler,
• After the death of her husband, Prabhavati ruled the Vakataka kingdom as the regent of her minor sons with
who was the Elder brother of Chandragupta II.
the assistance of her father. Thus, Chandragupta II indirectly controlled the Vakataka kingdom.
● During the reign of Chandragupta II, the Gupta dynasty reached its zenith by
• An iron pillar inscription at Mehrauli
expanding in Delhi
territories indicates
through that his
conquest asempire
well asalso included northwestern
matrimonial alliances. India and
Bengal.
● He married the Naga princess Kubernaga.
• He assumed the ● titles
He married his daughter
of 'Vikramaditya' Prabhavati
(as powerful to the
as the Vakataka
Sun), prince,
'Devaraja', Rudrasena II Vikramank'
'Parambhagavata
and 'Shakari' (after(Deccan).
defeating the Shaka-Kshatrapa).

• Chandragupta ●II eliminated

After the Saka
deathrule
of her husband,India
in Western Prabhavati ruledRudrasimha
by defeating the region as
III, the
the regent of king of
last Saka
Western India. Forher thisminor
reason,sonshe with
assumedthe assistance of her father. Thus Chandragupta II
the title 'Shakari'.

• He issued gold coinsindirectly

(Dinara),controlled
silver coinstheand
Vakataka
copper kingdom.
coins. He is mentioned as ‘Chandra’ on his coins.
● An iron pillar inscription at Mehrauli in Delhi indicates that his empire also
• The Udayagiri Cave Inscription
included mentions his
northwestern 'Digvijaya',
India and Bengal.i.e. his victory over the whole world.
● He
• His court at Ujjain wasassumed
adornedthe titleseminent
by nine of 'Vikramaditya'
scholars who (aswere
powerful
knownasasthe Sun),
Navaratnas (Nine Gems).
'Parambhagavata Vikramank' and 'Shakari' (after defeating the
Shaka-Kshatrapa).
● Chandragupta II eliminated Saka rule in Western India by defeating
Fa Hien Rudrasimha III, the last Saka king of Western India. For this reason he
assumed the title 'Shakari'.
• During Chandragupta II reign, a Chinese traveler 'Fa Hien' visited India and wrote a
detailed account ● He of issued
the gold coins
life of the(Dinara),
people silver
there.coins and copper coins. He is
mentioned as ‘Chandra’ on his coins.
• He traveled to many cities associated with the life of the Buddha – Sravasti, Sarnath,
Fa Hien
Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, Rajgir, etc.
● During Chandragupta II reign, a Chinese traveler 'Fa Hien' (399-414 AD)
• He recorded his observations
visited in a atravelogue
India and wrote titledof'Fo-Kwo-Ki'
detailed account the life of the(A Record
people there.of
Buddhistic Kingdoms;
● He traveled also known
to many as associated
cities Fa Xian’swithAccount).
the life of the Buddha – Sravasti,
Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, Rajgir, etc.
• Fa Hien was the first Chinese pilgrim to visit India. He came to India to study
● He recorded his observations in a travelogue titled Fo-Kwo-Ki (A Record of
Buddhist scripts.
Buddhistic Kingdoms; also known as Faxian’s Account).
• Fa Hien came to India from China on foot & returned home (China) from Bengal by
sea route. He travelled across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, India & eventually
Sri Lanka.
 ● Fahien started his journey from Bengal while returning to China.
● The Udayagiri Cave Inscription mentions his Digvijaya, i.e. his victory over
Navaratnas in the court of Chandragupta II
the whole world.
● His court at Ujjain was adorned by nine eminent scholars who were known
as Navaratnas (Nine Gems).

Navaratna Subject Important work

Kalidas Literature Wrote 'Abhijnanasakuntalam,' the first Indian
text to be translated into most languages.
Amar Singh Lexicographer 'Amarkosh' was created
Physician of Wrote 'Roga Nidan', 'Vaidya Chintamani';
Dhanwantari Physician
Ayurveda Fatherthe
called of 'God
Ayurveda
of Ayurveda'
Astrology &
Varahamihira Astrology
Astronomy Composed 'Panchasiddhantika'
Composed 'Panchasiddhantika', 'Brihat Samhita'

Gatkarpar
Ghatkarpar poetry
Poetry Poetic composition
Kshapdak Astrology Astrology
Composition on Astrology

Varruchi Grammer Grammar

Composition on Sanskrit Grammar

Shanku architecture
Architecture He composed 'Shilpa Shastra'
Vetalbhatta occultism
Occultism He was the author of 'Mantra Shastra'
& Magic
Kumaragupta I (415 - 455 CE)
• KumaraguptaKumaragupta
I was the son andIsuccessor
(415 - 455 CE)
of Chandragupta II.

● Kumaragupta
• The information about I was the comes
the reign of Kumaragupta son and successor
from of Chandragupta
'Vilsad / Bilsad II.
inscription', 'Karamdanda inscription' of UP &
● The information about the reign of Kumaragupta comes from 'Vilsad
'Mandsaur inscription' of MP.

inscription',
• He assumed the titles Mandsaur'Paramadvaita',
of 'Parama-bhattaraka', inscription (composed by In
'Mahendraditya'. Vatsabhatti)
the Buddhist and
texts he is mentioned as
'Shakraditya'.
Karamdanda inscription.
• He also performed ● 'Ashwamedha'
He assumedYajna.the titles of 'Shakraditya' and 'Mahendraditya'.
• The most important ● work
He also performedI was
of Kumaragupta 'Ashwamedha' Yajna.
the establishment of Nalanda University in Bihar in the early 5th century AD.
This university is ● The most important work of Kumaragupta Ilibraries
called the 'Oxford of Mahayana Buddhism'. The famous was thein establishment of
Nalanda were 'Ratnasagar', 'Ratnadadhi'
and 'Ratnaranjak', located in a complex called 'Dharmaganj'. Turkish ruler Qutubuddin Aibak's general Bakhtiyar Khilji
demolished it in 12thNalanda University
century AD. In 2010, theduring his reign.
GoI revived This university
this university is called
at Rajgir. Currently it is'Oxford of World
a UNESCO
Heritage Site.
Mahayana'.
• Near the end of the reign of Kumargupta I (or at the early period of the reign of Skandagupta), first Huna invasion (under the
leadership of Khushnawaz) occurred in India.

• Among the Gupta rulers, maximum records are found of Kumaragupta, whose number is around 18.

• Silver coins were introduced in Central India during his reign.

# NOTE: - If only 'Kumargupta' is in the option, tick that, or if only 'Skandagupta' is in the option, tick that, if both
are there, tick 'Skandagupta'.

● Among the Gupta rulers, maximum records are found of Kumaragupta,

Whose number is around 18.
● Silver coins were introduced in Central India during his reign.

Skandagupta (455 - 467 CE)

• He is considered ● the
Fromlastthe point of
powerful viewruler
Gupta of administrative
and one of the convenience,
greatest rulersSkandagupta
of India. shifted
his capital
• From the point of view to Ayodhya.
of administrative convenience, Skandagupta shifted his capital to Ayodhya.
• Bhitari Pillar inscription, UP tells us how Skandagupta successfully defeated the Huna invasion. For this, he is
● During
called 'the saviour of India'.the reign of Skandagupta, the first Huna invasion (under the
leadership
• Junagarh Rock inscription ofus
tells Khushnawaz) took place,
about Skandagupta whose
and his information
governor is available
(of Saurashtra), from
Parnadatta
(or his son Chakrapalita)
the Junagarh inscription. Although it had failed the invasion of Hunas. Gujarat.
who on the orders of Skandagupta restrored the Sudarshan Lake in
• He sent an ambassador to the court of the Chinese emperor in 466 AD.
● It also did the work of restoration of Sudarshan Lake in Gujarat.
● He
It sent an ambassador to the court of the Chinese emperor in 466 AD.

Other Gupta Rulers

● After Sakandagupta,Buddhagupta, Kumaragupta II, Bhanugupta and
Vishnugupta became the main rulers.
● Vishnu was the last ruler of the Gupta dynasty.
● For the first time epigraphic evidence of Sati practice is found in the Eran
inscription related to Bhanu Gupta.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• According to Puranas, Guptas were Vaishyas.

• Which Gupta ruler's reign was extended up to Mathura- Samudragupta

• Samudragupta followed a policy of 'feudatory relationship' with the kings of various regions of India.

• Samudragupta was called 'Anukampan' for his kind nature.

• Samudragupta issued 'Ashvamedha' coins on which image of Goddess Lakshmi is inscribed.

• In one of the gold coins of Samudragupta, he is seen playing the Veena. This indicates that apart from being a brave warrior,
he was also a musician.

• In Gupta period, though books were written in Sanskrit language, common spoken language was Prakrit.

• Vishakhadatta was contemporary of Chandragupta II.

• During the reign of which Gupta ruler most records are found- Kumargupta I

• Works of Kalidasa: 'Abhijnanasakuntalam', 'Kumarsambhabam', 'Raghuvamsa', 'Meghdutam', 'Malavikagnimitram' etc.

• 'Prakrita-Prakasa' is believed to be written by Sanskrit grammarian Varruchi, one of the nine jewels of Chandragupta II.

• Vishnu Sharma, the author of the 'Panchatantra', was an ancient Indian scholar and author who lived in Gupta period.
Administrative system of Gupta Period

• The governance system in the Gupta period was based on the

Monarchical system.
● The Gupta Empire was very large, which required a well-organized
administrative system.
● In this period, the emperor was at the top of the administration. He was also
the highest official of the Justice Department.
● There was a Council of Ministers to assist the state, whose appointment was
done by the emperor himself from among the princes and feudal lords.
● An officer named 'Kumaramatya' was appointed in the provinces by the
emperor and he was given a cash salary. Chief minister
● From
Fromthe thepoint
point of view
of view of administrative
of administrative convenience,
convenience, the entire
the entire empire empire
was divided into was
provinces or states, called(states)
'Bhuktis'. The 'Bhuktis' were further divided into 'Vishyas' or districts.
divided
A into
part of the 'Bhuktis'.
'Vishya' The
is called 'bhuktis' were further divided into 'districts'.
'Vithi'.
● The officer of the districts was called 'Vishayapati'.
● The village was the smallest unit of administration. Its highest official was
called 'Gramik' or Mahattar, for whose help there was a village panchayat.
● Its main work was to make security arrangements, do construction work and
collect revenue.

Principal officers and their departments

Mahabaladikrit Commander
Sandhivigrahak Related to war and treaty matters (Minister of external affairs)
MahaAakshapatlik Highest officer of accounting department
Agraharik Head of charity department
Bhandagara Dhikrit Treasury officer
Shaulkik
Dhruvadhikaran & Shaulkik Customs or land tax officer
Maha Dandanayak Chief Judge
Social system
● The society during the Gupta period was divided into four castes, based not
on karma but on birth.
● The family was the smallest unit of social organization in the Gupta period.
 ● According to the Chinese traveler Fa-hien, the practice of untouchability,
known as "Antyaja", was prevalent during this time.
● The rise of the Kayastha caste was due to the prevalence of land grants,
which is described in the 'Yajnavalkya Smriti.'
● The status of women during the Gupta period was considerably worse than
during the Vedic period.
● The
The practice
practiceofofpurdah
purdah, child &
(veiling marriage,
seclusionand sati (evident
of women), child from Bhanugupta's
marriage, and sati practice
(evident fromwas
inscription) Bhanugupta's Eran inscription)
prevalent during this time.was prevalent about
Information duringwidow
this time. Information
about widow remarriage in noble families is found in the 'Narada Smriti', in general it was
remarriage
uncommon. is found in the Narada Smriti.
● The practice of slavery was prevalent during the Gupta period.
● The 'Manusmriti' describes seven types of slaves, while the 'Narada Smriti'
describes fifteen types.
● The practice of "Vishti", a form of forced labor, was prevalent during the
Gupta period.

Economic system
● Agriculture was the main basis of the economy during the Gupta period.
● The Amarakosha
' ' describes 12 types of land.
● Kulhavap, Dronavap, and Adhavap were measures of land.
● Information about irrigation is found in Skandagupta's Junagarh inscription.
● Textile industry was the main industry during the Gupta period.
● Information about silk weavers is found in the Mandasor inscription.
● In the Gupta period, a group of merchants of the same caste engaged in
trade, which was called a "shreni" at that time.

● During the Gupta period, groups of traders were known by different names.
● The committee of traders was called 'Nigam', whose head was called
'Shreshthi'.
● 'The central corporation of best traders and artisans was called 'Shresthi
Nigam'.
● A group of traders from different castes was called 'Poog'.
● A group of traders of the same caste was called 'Shreni'.
'Sherni'.

● Gupta rulers issued gold, silver, and copper coins.

 ● The most gold coins were issued by Gupta rulers, which were called "dinars"
in their inscriptions.
● During the Gupta period, Tamralipti was a major port in Bengal, from
where North Indian trade as well as trade with countries of South East Asia,
China, Java, Sumatra etc. was carried out.
● The main port of Western India was at Bhrigukachchha (present-day
Gujarat) from where sea trade was conducted with western countries.

Revenue system prevalent in Gupta period

● The main source of revenue during the Gupta period was obtained from
"land revenue".
● The state collected a tax called "Bhag" which was about 1/6th of the land's
produce.
● In the Gupta period, irrigation tax was called 'Bidakabhagam' or
'Udakabhaga'. Labor
● Farmers could pay the land tax in cash (hiranya) or in kind (meya).
● "Udrang" was a land tax imposed on permanent farmers and "Uparikar" was
a land tax imposed on temporary farmers.
● "Dhruvadhikaran" was an officer who collected land revenue, and
"Shaulkik" was a revenue officer who collected boundary taxes.
● There is evidence of a forced labor system in the Gupta period which was
called 'Vishti'.
● It became a type of tax collected by the king on various occasions.
● Under this, laborers, farmers and artisans had to compulsorily work for the
king and the state, for which they were not paid anything.
• 'Halivakara' was a kind of tax in the Gupta period for every cultivator
owing a plough.
Types of Land during the Gupta Period

Agrahar Tax free land given to temples and brahmins

Vastu Habitable land
Aprahat Forest land that was not tilled
Khil Uncultivated land
Audak Marshland

Coins
● Among the Gupta rulers, Chandragupta I was the first to issue coins.
● Among
A total the
of eight types
various of gold
Gupta coins
rulers, are found
the coins during the period
of Chandragupta II haveof
been found
Samudragupta.
in the highest number. Chandragupta II is known to have issued a total of eight
types of gold coins (dinaras).
● In the Gupta period, the gold currency was called 'Dinar'.
● The most famous place where coins were found is Bharatpur in Rajasthan.
● During the Gupta period, silver coins were also issued which were called
'Rupak'.

Religious life
● The foundation stone of Neo-Hinduism was laid during the Gupta period
itself. Vaishnav religion had become the most prominent in this.
● Gupta rulers were primarily followers of Vaishnavism. For example, the
Gupta rulers assumed the title of 'Param Bhagwat'.
● They adopted Garuda as their royal emblem and took on the title of
'Parambhagavat'.
● They commissioned the construction of the Dashavatar temple in the
'Panchayatana' style, which depicts Lord Vishnu in repose.In this temple,
Lord Vishnu is shown resting on the bed of Sheshnag.
● During the Gupta era, many statues of Bodhisattvas were created under the
Mahayana tradition.

Art• & Dashavatar

Culture temple- Deogarh, UP- Chandragupta II

● The Gupta period is known as the Golden Age of Indian art and culture.
Art & Culture

• The Gupta period (mainly between the 4th & 6th century AD) is
known as the 'Golden Age' of Indian art and culture.
● Many art forms including sculpture, architecture, and painting emerged
during this period. (total 30)
● Three caves (16th, 17th and 19th) of Ajanta Caves included in the list of
World Heritage Site were constructed during the Gupta period.
● Gupta art and culture were primarily influenced by religion, and many
temples were built in the field of architecture.
● The origin of temple construction art is attributed to the Gupta period.
● Mathura and Sarnath were the major centers of sculpture in the field of
Buddhist art. • The Nagara style of architecture began during the late Gupta period.

Main temples of Gupta period

Bhitargaon Temple Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Dashavatar Temple of Deogarh Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh
Tigwa Vishnu Temple Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
Parvati Temple of Nachna Panna, Madhya Pradesh
Kuthar
Shiv Temple of Bhumra Satna, Madhya Pradesh

Major creations of the Gupta period

Kalidas Abhigyan Shakuntalam, Meghdoot, Ritusamhara,

Kumarasambhavam, Raghuvansh, Malvikagnimitram
Visakhadatta Mudrarakshasa, Devichandraguptam
Varahamihira Pancha Siddhantika, Vrihatsamhita
Vishnu Sharma panchatantra
Shudraka Mrichkatikam
Prakrita-Prakasa- Varucchi