NDA (1) Shaurya 1.
Gupta Empire
Gupta Empire
Origin: Eastern U.P. & Bihar – fertile region + rich iron ore enabled expansion.
Founder: Sri Gupta
Period: Classical/Golden Age of Ancient India → great achievements in polity, economy, science,
art & literature
Important Gupta Rulers
Ruler Reign Key Points
Chandragupta I 320–335 • Beginning of Gupta Era: 319–320 CE
CE
• Matrimonial alliance with Lichchhavis
• Expanded rule up to Prayag
• Capital: Pataliputra
• Issued coins with his queen
Samudragupta 335–375 • Called “Napoleon of India” (A.L. Basham)
CE
• Pursued Digvijaya – extensive conquests
• Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti) by Harisena
• Performed Ashvamedha; issued Asvamedha coins
• Patron of arts → Title Kaviraja
● His court poet Harishena wrote a glowing account
of his military exploits. In a long inscription
engraved at Allahabad, the poet enumerates the
peoples and countries that were conquered by
Samudragupta.
●
● He performed the Ashvamedha Yajna, the first such
sacrifice after Pushyamitra Shunga.
● The regions and kingdoms conquered by Samudragupta
are classified into five groups.
● His fame extended beyond India; a Chinese record
states that he permitted Ceylon’s king Meghavarman to
construct a Buddhist monastery at Bodhgaya.
● The Allahabad Pillar Inscription claims that
Samudragupta was undefeated, which is why he is
regarded as the “Napoleon of India.”
● Samudragupta established the military foundations of
the Gupta Empire, on which his successors further
expanded.
● He also held the title “Prithivyah Pratham Veer” (the
foremost hero of the earth).
Chandragupta II 376–415 ● His reign marked the peak of the Gupta Empire;
CE expanded territory through marriage alliances and
conquests.
● – Though Gupta inscriptions name him as
Samudragupta’s successor, literary works and coins
suggest an elder brother Ramagupta, whom
Chandragupta II supposedly killed (as per
Devichandraguptam).
● – Formed a key matrimonial alliance with the Nagas
by marrying Kuberanaga; his daughter Prabhavati married
Rudrasena II of the Vakatakas, giving him indirect
control over central India.
● – Using this influence, he conquered Western Malwa and
Gujarat, ending nearly 400 years of Saka rule by
defeating Rudrasena III.
● – These conquests brought the western seacoast,
boosting trade; Ujjain became his second capital and a
major commercial hub.
● – Identified with “King Chandra” of the Mehrauli Iron
Pillar inscription, which records victories in the Sindhu
region, over the Valhikas (Bactria), and in Vanga
(Bengal).
● – Assumed the title Vikramaditya; first Gupta ruler to
use Param Bhagavata.
● – Fa-Hsien visited India during his reign and praised the
prosperity of Madhya-desa (though he didn’t name the
king).
● – His court at Ujjain hosted many scholars known as the
Navratnas (Nine Gems).
• Navratnas: Kalidasa, Amarasimha, Varahamihira, Dhanvantri,
Vetala Bhatta, Vararuchi, Kahapanaka, Shanku, Ghatakarpara
Kumaragupta I 415–455 ● – Chandragupta II was followed by his son
CE Kumaragupta I, also known as Mahendraditya.
● – The Damodarpur copper plates of 433 and 447 AD
mention him as Maharajadhiraja and record his
appointment of the Uparika (governor) of
Pundravardhana bhukti, the largest administrative
unit.
● – His latest known date comes from a silver coin of
455 AD (Gupta Era 136).
● – The distribution of his inscriptions shows his rule
extended from Magadha and Bengal in the east to
Gujarat in the west.
● – Towards the end of his reign, the empire reportedly
faced a Hun invasion, which was later repelled by his
son Skandagupta.
● – Maintained friendly relations with the Vakatakas,
strengthened through earlier marriage alliances.
● – Traditionally credited with the establishment of
Nalanda University in Bihar.
Skandagupta 455–467 ● – Skandagupta, son of Kumaragupta I, was the last
CE strong ruler of the Gupta dynasty.
● – He adopted titles such as Vikramaditya, Devaraja, and
Sakapan.
● – His major accomplishment was crushing the
Pushyamitras and repelling the Huns, who had
endangered the empire since Kumaragupta’s time.
● – Continuous warfare weakened the empire’s economy,
reflected in the decreased variety and quality of his
gold coinage.
● – He was likely the last Gupta king to issue silver
coins in western India.
The Story of Devi Chandragupatam
– According to the drama, Ramagupta was on the verge of defeat by the Sakas and, in
desperation, agreed to hand over his queen to the Saka ruler to save his kingdom.
– Chandragupta opposed this decision and went to the Saka camp disguised as Queen
Dhruvadevi. He succeeded in killing the Saka king, but this act led to conflict with his brother.
Eventually, Chandragupta killed Ramagupta and married Dhruvadevi.
– This incident is also mentioned in other sources such as Harsacharita, Kavyamimamsa, and
similar works.
– Archaeological evidence, including copper coins inscribed with the name Ramagupta and
inscriptions on the pedestals of Jaina images at Vidisa, support the existence of Maharaja
Ramagupta.
– A Vaisali seal further describes Dhruvadevi as the mother of Govindagupta, the son of
Chandragupta.
Polity & Administration
King
● Supreme ruler → titles: Paramesvara, Paramabhattaraka.
● Duties: War & peace, justice, protection, grants, patronage, administration.
Council & Officials
● Mahanandanayaka → Chief Justice.
● Mahasandhivigrahika → peace & war matters.
● Mahapratihara → palace guard/ceremonial officer.
● Dutakas → executed land grants.
● Uparikas → provincial heads.
● Vishayapatis → district heads.
● Pilupati - head of elephants
● Ashvapati - (head of horses
● Narapati - head of foot soldiers
● Village: Gramapati/Gramadhyaksha; elders handled disputes.
● Sandhi-Vigrahika → peace/war during peacetime.
● Mahabaladhikrita → senior military officer.
● Commanders:
○ Pilupati (elephants)
○ Asvapati (horses)
○ Narapati (infantry)
Ranabhandagarika → supplies & welfare.
● Ranabhandagarika – Officer managing military stores
● Akshapataladhikrita – Maintained revenue records
● Pustapala – Ensured proper documentation of transactions
Provincial & Local Administration
Administrative Divisions
● Bhuktis (Provinces) → Governed by Uparikas
● Vishayas (Districts) → Administered by Vishayapatis
● Vithis → Sub-districts
● Grams (Villages) → Smallest administrative units
Local Governance
● Village assemblies (Gramadhyaksha, elders) handled rural affairs.
● Urban administration was often managed by guilds under officials like the Nagarsethi.
● Large parts of the empire were under feudatories (Samantas) who paid tribute and
provided military support.
Samanta System
● Samantas were subordinate rulers, tribal chiefs, or conquered kings who accepted Gupta
overlordship.
● They paid tribute, supplied troops, and acknowledged the emperor’s suzerainty.
● The Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Harisena notes Samudragupta’s policy of reinstating
defeated rulers as vassals instead of annexing their kingdoms.
Revenue Administration
Main Revenue Source
● Land revenue → 1/4th to 1/6th of produce (varied by region)
Other Taxes
● Shulka – Customs duty
● Uparikara – Transit tax on goods
● Bali, Bhaga, Bhogā – Various taxes and offerings
● Halivakara – Plough-share tax
● Hiranya – Tax paid in cash (gold/silver)
● Visti – Forced labor
Administrative Divisions
● Kingdom → Desa/Rashtra/Bhukti.
● Bhukti under Uparika → divided into Vishaya.
● Bengal: Adhikarana (town assembly) with Nagarasresthi, Sarthavaha, Prathama-Kulika,
Kayastha.
● Village: Gramapati, elders (grama-buddhas).
Judicial System
● The Gupta judicial structure was well-developed.
● Smritis were used for civil law; customs governed criminal matters.
● The king was the supreme judge, assisted by the Mahadandanayaka (Chief Justice).
● Guilds and village bodies handled local legal matters in both urban and rural settings.
● According to Fa-Hien, capital punishment was not practiced during this period.
Economy of the Gupta Empire
Guild System & Trade
● Guilds (Shrenis) played a central role in regulating trade, industry, and crafts.
● A single guild sometimes controlled an entire trade, ensuring quality and economic
stability.
● Prominent merchants (Nāgarsethis) managed guild affairs.
● Cowrie shells served as a medium of exchange in local transactions.
Agriculture & Land System
● State-supported irrigation encouraged agricultural expansion.
● Land divided into:
○ Kshetra – cultivated land
○ Khil/Apratata – uncultivated land
● New landholding elite developed — Mahattaras, Gramikas, Kutumbikas — who gained
power due to landownership.
Crafts & Manufacturing
● Gupta artisans produced both luxury goods and daily-use items.
● Specialised craftsmanship and guild-based organisation led to the rise of jatis
(occupational castes).
Coinage & Monetary System
● Gold coins (Dinars): The hallmark of Gupta prosperity; mainly issued by early rulers.
● Gold coin usage declined under later Guptas due to economic strain.
● Silver and copper coins used for regional trade and everyday transactions.
● While gold coins were abundant, silver coins were also issued by rulers such as
Chandragupta II, Kumargupta I, Skandagupta, and Budhagupta.
● Copper coins from this period are rare.
● Gupta gold coins are remarkable for their artistic finesse, portraying the reigning monarch
on the obverse and often featuring a goddess on the reverse.
Religion and Culture
● Hindu rulers but tolerant.
● Nalanda (Kumaragupta I) → major Buddhist centre.
● Narasimhagupta Baladitya → Mahayana Buddhism patron; built a 300-ft vihara.
● His son Vajra → continued patronage (Xuanzang).
Social Conditions
Social Conditions During the Gupta Period
1. Caste System
● The varna system became more rigid and hereditary during the Gupta age.
● Proliferation of sub-castes (jatis) occurred due to:
○ Assimilation of foreign groups into Indian society.
○ Integration of tribal communities into Brahmanical order through land grants.
● Brahmins became highly influential as priests, scholars, and political advisors.
● Kshatriyas retained dominance in administration and warfare, exemplified by Gupta
rulers.
● Vaishyas played a key role in the booming economy through trade and commerce.
● Shudras formed the labouring class and had minimal social mobility.
2. Position of Women
● Women’s roles were largely domestic, with limited access to education and public life.
● Social practices such as dowry, early marriage, and the emergence of sati reflected
growing patriarchy.
● Exceptional women like Prabhavatigupta exercised considerable political influence, showing
that elite women could rise to power despite societal norms.
3. Untouchables
● Dalits/Untouchables, outside the varna system, faced severe discrimination.
● Assigned to menial and “impure” occupations (e.g., leatherwork, waste handling).
● Social interaction with upper castes was highly restricted, deepening caste boundaries.
4. General Social Features
● Despite rigidity, society remained stable, with clear divisions in duties and privileges.
● Expanding religious and cultural activities supported by land grants strengthened
Brahmanism and social hierarchy.
Gupta Art & Architecture
The Gupta rulers were great patrons of culture and played a key role in elevating Indian art and
architecture to new heights.
● Their support nurtured sculptors, architects, painters, scholars, and poets.
● Legendary figures like Kalidasa, Aryabhata, and Varahamihira rose to prominence under
Gupta patronage.
● Gupta kings initiated the early Hindu temple architectural style and refined classical art
forms that influenced later Indian dynasties.
Their encouragement laid the foundation for enduring artistic traditions visible across India.
Features of Gupta Art & Architecture
1. Spiritual Expression
● Artworks reflect strong religious and philosophical themes from Hinduism, Buddhism, and
Jainism.
● Temples, carvings, and icons often depict gods, divine beings, and mythological scenes.
2. Naturalism + Idealism
● Sculptures blend realistic human forms with idealised beauty.
● Calm faces, gentle expressions, and smooth modeling symbolise inner peace and divinity.
3. Mudras (Symbolic Gestures)
● Religious images prominently feature mudras (Abhaya, Dhyana, etc.) conveying protection,
meditation, and enlightenment.
4. Materials Used
● Predominantly sandstone, bronze, and terracotta.
● Sandstone for large statues; bronze for delicate, detailed images.
5. Evolution of Temple Architecture
● Introduction of crucial temple elements:
○ Shikhara (tower over sanctum)
○ Garbhagriha (inner sanctum)
● Temples were modest in size but aesthetically proportioned.
6. Intricate Carvings
● Temples and icons decorated with detailed carvings of deities, mythological scenes, and
geometric patterns.
7. Harmonious Proportions
● Perfect balance, symmetry, and anatomical accuracy characterised Gupta sculptures.
8. Shift to Stone Temples
● Major transition from wood to stone construction.
