Gupta Empire

Gupta Empire Important Facts:

• The founder of the Gupta dynasty was Sri Gupta. He was succeeded by Ghatokacha.
• These two were called Maharajas.

Chandragupta I (320-330 A.D.):

• Chandragupta I was the first independent Gupta empire ruler & called himself ‘Maharajadhiraja‘ (the great king of kings).
• Married the Lichchavi Princess, Kumaradevi, which was politically very strategic for Gupta empire.
• He is considered to be the founder of the Gupta era which starts with his accession in A.D. 320.

Samudragupta (330-380 A.D.):

• Title – Vikramanka. Also called Dharma Prachar Bandhu ; Licchavi-dauhitra.
• An inscription engraved on the Ashokan Pillar at Allahabad dating to 4th century A.D., known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription or  Prayaga Prashasti (composed by his court poet, Harisena) , gives us information about Samudragupta’s accession & conquests.
• Performed Asvamedha sacrifice after his military victories.
• Because of his military achievements, Samudragupta was hailed as “Indian Napoleon” by V.A.Smith.
• Virasena– was his commander in Southern Campaign.
• Samudragupta’s issued eight types of Gold coins. They were of Yupa type.
• Shown playing the lute or Veena on some of his coins.
• Also called Kaviraja because of his ability in composing verses.
• Samudragupta wrote Krishna Charitam.
• He was an ardent follower of Vaishnavism but was tolerant of other creeds.
• He evinced keen interest in Buddhism & was the patron of the great Buddhist scholar Vasubandu (author of Abhidharamakosa).
• He granted permission to the Buddhist king of Ceylon, Meghavarman to build a monastry at Bodh Gaya & was hence given the title of “Anukamparan” (Full of Compassion).

Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya, 380-415 A.D.):

• Disputed succession followed him between his sons, Ramagupta & Chandragupta II according to a drama, Devichandraguptam by Visakhadatta.
• Mehrauli Iron Pillar inscription (belongs to Chandragupta II; Brahmi script ; in honour of vishnu) claims his authority over North-western India & a good portion of Bengal. 
• Fa-Hien (Chinese Pilgrim) travelled during his period.
• First Gupta ruler to issue Silver coins.
• He defeated the last saka ruler Rudra Simha III & annexed territories of Western Malwa & Gujarat.
• He also took the title of Simhavikrama. 
• Made ujjain the second capital of empire.
• His court was adorned by the Navratnas-

1. Kalidasa – Shakuntala (Sanskrit drama) ; Malavikagnimitra ; Vikramorvasiya ; Raghuvamsa ; Kumarasambhava ; Ritusamhara ; Meghaduta.
2. Harisena – Allahabad Pillar Inscription or Prayaga Prashasti .
3. Kahapanaka – was an astrologer.
4. Shanku -in the field of Architecture.
5. Dhanvantri – was a great Physician. Nighantu was his work.
6. Vetalbhatta – was a magician.
7. Amarsimha – compiled a lexicon called Amarkosa.
8. Vararuchi – Prakrit Prakasha (first grammar of Prakrit Language).
9. Varahamihira – Pancha Siddhantika (five astronomical systems) ; Brihadsamhita ; Brihadjataka.

Kumaragupta I (415-455 A.D.):

• Title – Mahendraditya.
• Important Inscription – Mandsor & Copper plate inscription.
• He also performed an Asvamedha Sacrifice.
• He founded the Nalanda University.
• First Hun invasion took place during his reign.

Skandagupta (455-467 A.D.):

• 5th century A.D.- Huns, called Ephthalties were defeated by him & sent back for a century to come.
• Junagarh inscription mentions that his Governor, Parhadatta got the Sudarshana lake repaired.
• Adopted the title – Vikramaditya.
• Succeeded by Buddhagupta & Vishnugupta was the last ruler of the imperial Guptas.

Gupta Empire- Administration:

• The Gupta Empire was divided into Various administrative units-

1. Empire – Central of the King ; assisted by Mantri or Sachiva – Chief Minister ; Senapatis – Military Officers.
2. Provinces were known as Bhuktis & provincial governors as Uparikas.
3. Bhuktis were subdivided into Vishyas or districts & governed by Vishyapatis.
4. Sub-district – Peth.
5. Villages – Grama ; under Gramika & Mahattar.

• Nagara Sreshits were the officers looking after the city administration.
• Religious grants , called Agraharas were made to Brahmins, which were hereditary & tax free perpetually. Example – Nalanda & Gaya grants of Samudragupta.
• Guptas also made Devagrahara & secular grants which led to the beginning of the process of Sub infeudation.
• Land revenue was the main source of state income. Both kalidasa & the author of Narada smriti state that one-sixth of the produce should be claimed as the royal revenue.
• Important Terms:

1. Sandhivigrahika – War & peace ;
2. Pilupati – head of elephants ;
3. Asvapati – head of horses ;
4. Narapati – head of foot soldiers ;
5. Ranabhandagarika – officer-in-charge of stores ;
6. Akshapataladhikrita – Accounts ;
7. Pustapala – Records ;
8. Vishti – Forced Labor.

Gupta Empire- Literature: