6.Chapter 16.The Gupta Empire.History.

Chapter  16

The Gupta Empire MADRAS Ja KARTTRPURA YAUDHEYAS SASANAN EMPIRE that ARJUNA YANAS HIMALAYAS.  NAGAS Kape Anh LICHCHAVES MALAVAS.  Pacman You have read in the earlier chapter about Kushan rulers.  His last powerful ruler was Vasudev.  Thereafter, there was no large empire in India for a few centuries.  The next large empire was - The Gupta Empire.  It was established by Sri Gupta in 275 CE.  He was succeeded by his son Ghatotkaccha Gupta He ruled from 280 CE to 319 CE However, not much is known about these two rulers.  Page KO LANG.  Boy Decor Era ER Serverid UO SAKAS MAKUN Unise God Cangas Kanam Panovas Authors Important Rulers Chandragupta - l: He succeeded ARABIAN SEA KADAMAS BAY OF BENGAL A Two his father Ghatotkaccha in the year 319 CE and confirmed up to 335 CE.  He was the first important ruler of this dynasty.  It was during this period that the Gupta empire expanded and THE GUPTA EMPIRE their authority was established over almost the whole of north --- Bountanes Guts Engure Somos Sandugupur Campaign India.  He assumed the title of Ancient Maharajadhiraj.  INDIAN OCEAN Samudragupta: He was the next Gupta Empire powerful ruler.  He succeeded his father Chandragupta - l in 335 CE.  There are three main sources of the period of Samudragupta (0) Inscription on Ashoka's pillar at Allahabad, (ii) Eranedict, (ii) Coins of Samudragupta) Samudragupta was known for his long military campaigns to north, east and south of India which established  his 134 TAMARAM

sovereignty but not his direct rule.  He is also known as the Napolean of India.  But, the Gupta empire DOO prashasti by poet Harisena of his court.  was not as large as that of the Mauryas.  We get a lot of information about Samudragupta from Chandragupta - II: He was the son of Samudragupta and succeeded him in 375 CE.  According to an Inscription on the Iron Pillar at Mehrauli, near Qutub Minar (Delhi), he assumed the title of Vikramaditya.  The inscription also tells us about the victory campaigns of Chandragupta.  Chandragupta was not only a great warrior and an able administrator, but also a great patron of art and learning.  He had many scholars, poets and artists in his court.  The best nine were known as the Nav Ratna, e.g.  Kalidasa was a renowned poet of his court.  Administration The king was all powerful but he ensured the welfare and happiness of the people.  He had a Council of Ministers like Mantri, Sachiv, Sandhi - Vigrahik, Maha Senapati, etc.  They advised and assisted him.  But the king was not bound to accept their advice.  The empire was divided into provinces known as Bhuktis or Desh.  They were governed by Uparika - maharaja or Bhogpati.  Mostly, princes were appointed to these posts.  Sometimes, other capable and wise persons Iron pillar at Qutub Minar complex were also appointed on this post.  The provinces (bhuktis) were divided into Vishyas and their head was known as Vishayapati.  They were helped by a four men non - governmental committee.  The village administration was under the village headman (Grameyak).  The Gram Panchayat looked after the needs of the villagers.  ) Do You Know?  The Gupta rulers had well - organized armies with elephants, chariots, cavalery and foot soldiers besides this, there were military leaders known as Samantas, who supplied troops to the kings wherever needed.

Social Condition The people had a happy and peaceful family life.  Joint family system was prevalent during this time.  The condition of women was not so bad but it became worse during the later periods.  Child marriage had also started.  Education was mostly limited to the upper class families.  Celebration of festivals and animal fightings were the chief sources of entertainment.  Economic Condition ED Inter - state trade flourished during this period trade was carried on by land and river routes, important places, like Peshawar (Pakistan), Mathura and Kaushambi (UP), Tamralipti (Bengal), Bharukaccha (Gujarat) and Ujjaini (MP)  ) were all connected by roads.  The riv rivers, namely Ganga, Brahmaputra, Kaveri, Krishna and Godavari, provided waterways) (India's important export items were pearls, diamonds, precious stones, garments, Ivory products, indigo, etc. The imports included gold, silver, copper, tin  , silk, horses, etc. Brahmadesh (Myanmar), Java, Sumatra, Bali, Champa (Vietnam) and Kamboja (Cambodia) were some of the countries with which the foreign trade was carried on agriculture was the main occupation of the people.  Farmers were the owners of land. For providing irrigational facilities, wells, tanks, canals were constructed. The main crops were wheat, rice, pulses, barley, sugarcane, cotton, jute, vegetables, etc. Taxation remained the Coins of Gupta Kings main  source of revenue. Religion During this period, the king and most of the people were the followers of Vaishnavism or Shaivism. They were followers of Buddhism and Jainism as well. There was no conflict among them. They all  lived harmoniously.  Sun was also worshipped by many people.  Many Sun temples were built.  The kings gave grants and donations to all the religions without any discrimination.  It was a period of revival of Hinduism and Sanskrit language.  Art and Architecture The art and architecture during the Gupta period was highly developed in all its branches, i.e.  sculpture, painting, temple building, metallurgy, music, etc.  During this period, we find the beginning of temple building.  Initially, there used to be one - room temples where the image of the main deity was installed with a decorated main gate.  Later on, the size of the temples became larger and larger.  A small one - roomed temple can be seen near the Sanchi, Bhitargaon (Kanpur) and Deogarh 136

0 (Jhansi).  The temples were decorated with beautiful and artistic sculptures.  Ajanta and Ellora (Aurangabad Distt. In Maharashtra) caves present the best specimen of paintings and stone cut temples many images, concerning Krishan - leela, have been found in Rajashi Districts of Bengal.  A large image of Varaha of fourth century, images of Mahavir Swami and Mahatma Buddha are some of the fine examples of their excellence in sculpture - making of that period.  The most significant feature of this period's art and Shiva - Rock - Cut temple of Ajanta Caves Ajanta Caves Sculpture is that they are totally free from foreign impact.  Language and Literature 4.  1 Gupta period was the golden period for Sanskrit literature, Kalidasa adorned the court of Chandragupta - ll.  He was one of the nine gems of the royal court.  His most famous works are (Abhijana - Shakuntalam, Malavikagnimitsom, Kumarsambhava, Raghuvamsa, Meghaduta and many others. Bhasa wrote 17 plays during this period. Vishakhdatta's Mudrarakshas (play) is also well - known. Poet Harisena praised the Kalidasa

conquests of Samudragupta.  Allahabad Prashasti, Pt.  Vishnu Sharma's work Panchtantra is a famou collection of tales with moral teachings.  This period saw the development of literature in Pali, Prakri and Tamil language as well, Ramayana and Mahabharata were written into Tami).  Science and Technology The contribution of Gupta period in the field of science and technology has been no less astronomy, astrology, mathematics, medicine, chemistry and many other branches of science were well - developed during this period.  ) (Aryabhatta was a great scientist and mathematician of this period. It was he who first proved that the earth moves round the sun on its axis and not vice - versa) He had written a book Aryabhattiyam on mathematics.  The book explains the concept of square roots, place value of the digits, introduction of zero decimal system and also about triangles and circles, Eventh the eclipses could easily be predicted) Charak, a physician wrote Charak Samhita and Sushrut, a surgeon wrote Sushrut Samhita  ) His contribution in the field of medical science is very significant during this Aryabhatta Nagarjuna was the famous scholar of chemistry the Siste fire e rust - free Iron Pillar at Mehrauli in New Delhi has never got rusted till today.  The composition of its alloy is a fine example of iron technology of Gupta period.  5 Cty period.  Charak Sushrut Nagarjuna 138

ICOS Net 1 GOLDEN AGE After going through this chapter, you must have noticed the achievements of various Gupta kings in almost all walks of life.  That is why the Gupta period is known as the 'Golden Age of Ancient India' it is due to the establishment of political unity, peace and order.  There was unprecedented progress in the fields of art, literature and science.  Gupta rulers made great efforts for the progress of Hindu religions and Sanskrit language.  The administration was ideal and hence, the subjects were happy and prosperous.  Brahmins, scholars, saints and women were respected in the society.  Aryabhatta, Varhamihira, Nagarjuna were the famous scholars of this period.  Students from far away places came to study in the universities of Nalanda, Kanauj, Taxlia, Ujjain, etc.  Gupta rulers encouraged the development of agriculture, industry and trade.  They also introduced coins made of silver and gold.  Keywords ni • metallurgy: the study of metals.  physician: a person who practices medicine.  • prashasti: words written in praise of somebody.  provinces: administrative units (states) or parts of a country.  • Sculpture: a person who carves out shapes or statues.  sovereignty: supreme power.  surgeon: a person who performs operations / surgery.