Gupta Empire
land- owners who gained political power and control
in Magadha and some areas of Eastern Uttar
Pradesh. Based on writings of the Chinese monk,
Yijing, and records of the Empire, the names of the
first three emperors were provided. These records
indicated Sri Gupta as being the founder of the Gupta
Empire, who was succeeded by his son, Ghatotkacha
Gupta. While Sri Gupta and Ghatotkacha adopted
the title, Maharaja; Ghatotkacha’s son, Chandragupta I, adopted the ruling title, Māhārājādhirājā.
Cultural creativity under the Guptas rule spawned
spectacular architecture, art and sculptures. The
walls of Buddhist shrines and monasteries depicted
colourful paintings and frescoes. Scholars belonging
to the Gupta Period include Āryabhata, Varāhamihira
and Kalidāsa. Āryabhata, a scientist, proposed
various theories in the field of Mathematics and
Astronomy that are the basis of modern-day science.
Early Muslim Rulers of India
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/
b8/Gupta_Empire_320_-_600_ad.PNG
A
n ancient Indian Empire founded by Sri Gupta
c.240 CE, the Gupta Empire flourished from 320
CE to 550 CE. This period is marked by peace and
prosperity, which allowed artists a free hand at
creativity and scientists, to pursue research, inventions and important discoveries. The period of the
Gupta rule is aptly known as the Golden Age of India.
Marked by extensive discoveries and invention, the
Gupta rule saw advancement in the fields of science,
technology, art, engineering, literature, dialectics,
mathematics, logic, religion, philosophy and astronomy.
The origin and ancestry of the Gupta emperors is
unclear, which has given rise to theories and speculation. One theory suggests they may have been
Portrait Painting of Aryabhata
Image Source: https://bharatabharati.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/aryabhata.jpg
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The era is marked by prodigious development in the
fields of science and technology, metallurgy, chemistry, botany, engineering, zoology, astronomy and
astrology.
Although Sri Gupta, according to writings of the
period, is credited with establishing the Gupta
Empire, historians regard Chandragupta I as the true
founder. Chandragupta I was succeeded by his son,
Samudragupta, who was regarded as one of the
greatest military geniuses in Indian history. He patronised arts and is known to have been a great
warrior. The rock edicts of Kausambi serve as a major
source of Samudragupta’s rule. He was succeeded
by his son, Ramagupta. Some of the important rulers
of the dynasty include Chandragupta I,
Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I and
Skandagupta. Skandagupta’s successors were comparatively weaker. This led the empire into decline
and c. 480 CE, Hephthalites broke the north-western
boundaries of the kingdom. By c. 500 CE had occupied much of the Gupta territories.
The empire began to disintegrate under the constant
attacks of the Huns, however, a coalition between
the Gupta king, Narsimhagupta and King Yashodharman of Malwa succeeded in driving out the Huns by
528 CE. The empire declined, and was overshadowed
and annexed by the rising power of the Vakatakas
and Yashodharman.
Cave Painting at Ajanta
Image Source: http://www.intromeditation.com/Wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/India128f.jpg
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Sculpture and Architecture of the Gupta Period
1.
ImageSource:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Met,_indi
a_(uttar_pradesh),_gupta_period,_krishna_battling_the_horse
_demon_keshi,_5th_century.JPG
2.
ImageSource:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Ellora_c
ave16_001.jpg
3.
ImageSource:
https://magnificentmaharashtra.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/
giant-trimurti-shiva-sculpture.jpg
4.
ImageSource:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vishnu_Hood2_Deogarh.jpg
the Gupta rule. Cultural creativity gave birth to
spectacular sculptures, paintings and architecture.
An example of classic Gupta style of art is the
frescoes at Ajanta Caves. The walls of Buddhist
monasteries are covered in colourful paintings showcasing the life of Gautama Buddha. Ajanta, Ellora and
Elephanta caves were built by later rulers but reflect
classical Gupta art and architecture.
The Gupta rule is known as the ‘Golden Age’ of Indian
history. Art and architecture flourished, reaching a
classical peak. Creativity reached new heights during
Nalanda was an eminent Buddhist monastery and a
centre of learning located in present-day Bihar. It
flourished under the generous patronage of Guptas.
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Scholars from Korea, China, Central Asia and Tibet
flocked to the centre. The monastery is often categorised as a university by historians. The history of
Nalanda is dated back to the Guptas. A seal found at
the site points to a monarch, Shakraditya, as the
founder. A Chinese Buddhist monk, Xuanzang, and a
Korean pilgrim, Prajnavarman, both attribute Shakraditya with being the founder of Nalanda. The
monarch is identified with the Gupta emperor,
Kumaragupta I.
Literature produced during this period largely consists of poetry and drama. Essays were written on a
variety of topics ranging from grammar to medicine
and mathematics to lyric poetry. This sheds light on
the evolution and progress of science and language.
One of the best-known essays of the period is the
Kāmasutra compiled by Vatsyāyana which furnishes
rules on the art of love and marriage in accordance
with Hindu laws.
Kalidāsa, a poet and scholar belonging to the Gupta
period, composed many works, poetry and drama,
including Kumārasambhava, Meghadāta and Raghu
A Scene from Abhijnanashakuntalam
Raja Ravi Varma
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/c/c0/Ravi_Varma-Shakuntala.jpg
vamsha. He wrote in Sanskrit and his work was based
primarily on Hindu Puranas. His plays include works
like Mālavikāgnimitram, Abijnānashakuntalam and
Vikramorvashiyam. Māvikāgnimitram narrates the
story of King Agnimitra who falls in love with the
picture of an exiled princess posing as a servant girl,
Mālavikā. While, Abhijnānashakuntalam is the
Nalanda University
ImageSource: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Nalanda_University_India_ruins.jpg
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popular story of Dushyant and Shakuntalā, Vikramorvashiyam tells the story of two lovers – the mortal
king, Pururavas and the celestial nymph or apsarā,
Urvashi.
Kalidāsa also composed numerous poems including
Ṛtusaṃāhara and Meghadūta. Ṛtusaṃāhara
describes the six seasons and is generally considered
to be one of his earliest works. Meghadūta tells the
story of a Yaksha attempting to send a message to
his lover through a cloud. The poem was set to the
‘Mandarkranta’ meter known for its lyrical sweetness.
Āryabhata, the renowned ancient scientist and
mathematician, also belonged to the Gupta period.
His contributions to the fields of mathematics and
Mention of Earth’s Rotation on its Axis
Image Source: http://www.shalusharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/
Mention-of-rotation-of-the-earth-on-its-axis-by-Aryabhatta-300x57.jpg
astronomy are unparalleled. He is credited to have
come up with the mathematical concept of ‘zero’. He
is also believed to have postulated the theory of a
sun-centric solar system. A proposal made by
Āryabhata suggests that Earth was round and rotated
on its axis as opposed to the popular belief of the
period concluding the Earth was flat and the heavens
moved around it.
Leaflet from the Aryabhatiya Manuscript
Image Source: http://364thg2fvn2s1pundj2ty3ldzmc.wpengine.netdna-cdn.
com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/0800803232454.jpg
Āryabhata compiled various works on mathematics
and astronomy and one of the major surviving works
authored by the scientist is Āryabhatiya. Āryabhatiya
is a compendium of mathematics and astronomy. He
also penned down Āryasiddhanta, which has been
lost over time. The name is known through the
writings of his contemporary, Varāhamihira.
Āryabhata also worked on the approximation of π
and may have come to conclude that π is irrational.
Āryabhatiya also includes works on trigonometry,
indeterminate equations and summation of series
of squares and cubes.
Kalidasa
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Kalidasa_
inditing_the_cloud_Messenger%2C_A.D._375.jpg
Āryabhata’s texts on astronomy suggest the theory
of an equator. Some seem to assign apparent motion
of planets to Earth’s rotation on its axis. The idea was
revolutionary at the time because people believed
that the heavens moved around the Earth while the
planet stayed still.
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Culture and People
Regarded as the Golden Age, economic prosperity
and intellectual progress in the Gupta Empire led to
the advancement of various fields. An increase in
land grants and fiscal and administrative immunities
for the priests and temples led to the oppression of
peasants and other inhabitants of villages belong to
the lands given as a grant. These grants paved the
way for the development of a feudal system in India.
The introduction of forced labour or visthi undermined the peasant’s position.Merchants, traders and
artisans lost importance due to a decline in trade
with international trade being affected terribly. A
shortage in minted coins points to a commercial
decline in the kingdom. The result saw a decline in
urban centres across the Gangetic Plains which was
the heart of the empire.
Iron Pillar at Delhi
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/3/3f/QtubIronPillar.JPG
Āryabhata may have also believed the planetary
orbits to be elliptical rather than circular. He, also,
correctly insisted the Earth rotates around its axis.
The ancient astronomer explained the phenomenon
on Solar and Lunar eclipses, which, at the time, were
shrouded in mystery and superstitions.
Although no writings belonging to the Gupta period
have been found on Chemistry and Metallurgy, the
Iron Pillar that stands in the complex of the Qutb
Minar today stands testament to the metallurgical
abilities of the Gupta Era. It has not rusted or corroded despite being exposed to rains and the sun for
the past 1500 years.
The original location of the pillar is not known; it is
possible it may have been located, originally, at
Udayagiri Caves and was brought to Delhi by Iltutmish after sacking the place.
The position of the lower varna improved. They were
allowed to listen to Puranas and epics and were
encouraged to worship Lord Krishna. They were also
permitted to perform a few domestic rites and
rituals. This can be ascribed to an elevation in their
economic condition. In addition to this, the number
of Chāndalas in the kingdom increased. The Chinese
pilgrim, Fa Hien, writes of Chāndalas living beyond
the town’s boundaries. Varna distinctions came to
be more pronounced in the daily life of the people.
This was observed in many legal matters such as
inheritance.
Women were also permitted to listen to the Purānas
and epics along with worshipping Lord Krishna.
Women of lower castes were considerably more
independent than women belonging to higher
castes. Women of lower castes were hired as attendants to women belonging to higher castes, which
enabled them to work and earn.Upper caste women,
on the other hand, were solely depended on the men
in their families for their livelihood. They lacked
rights to inherit land and property but were entitled
to stridhana which was a share of the property. She
was entitled to sell or mortgage this share.
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Important Rulers
Chandragupta I
Writings and inscriptions of the Gupta Period
mention Sri Gupta as being the founder of the
empire. Modern historians, however, attribute the
establishment of the Gupta rule to Chandragupta I.
Chandragupta I consolidated his rule by forging
alliances with many powerful, neighbouring families,
kingdoms and tribes based in the Gangetic region.
Chandragupta I was son to Ghatotkacha Gupta and
grandson to Sri Gupta, and was the first of the
dynasty to adopt the title ‘Māhārājādhirāja’. He
came to power in 340 CE. He married a princess of
the powerful Licchhavi tribe, which hints at the
possibility of a matrimonial alliance between the
Guptas and the Licchhavis.
Samudragupta
Samudragupta was a son and successor to Chandragupta I who ruled for 51 years. He was considered
a military genius. He conquered and annexed a major
part of the Indian Subcontinent. He initiated the
expansion of his kingdom by first attacking the
neighbouring states of Ahichhatra (Rohilkhand) and
Padmavati. He conquered all of Bengal and some
kingdoms in Nepal. Assam paid tribute to
Samudragupta. He also managed to absorb some
tribal states including Malavas, Arjunayanas, Yaudheyas, Abhiras and Maduras. Territories and kingdoms in modern-day Afghanistan and Kashmir were
also annexed.
Samudragupta followed the policy of matrimonial
alliances in addition to military campaigns to extend
his territories. He was also a patron of learning and
a celebrated poet and musician.
Chandragupta II
Chandragupta II was successor and son to
Samudragupta. Also known as Vikramāditya, Chan-
dragupta II rose to be among the most powerful
rulers in Northern India. The empire reached its
zenith under his rule and art, architecture and
sculpture flourished. Like his predecessors, Chandragupta II also pursued matrimonial alliances for
political purposes along with an aggressive expansionist policy. His reign marked the ‘Golden Age’ of
India.
Evidence throws light on the presence of ‘Nine Gems’
or Navratna in Chandragupta II’s court. These nine
gems included scholars, poets, astrologers and scientists.
Kalidāsa – Authored Abhijnānashakuntalam among
many others. Great poet, dramatist and a prominent
Sanskrit scholar.
Shapanaka – Prominent astrologer.
Dhanvantri – Doctor, expert diagnostician, pre
scribed different treatments for the same ailment.
Varruchi – Expert linguist and grammatician.
Varāhamihira – Author of renowned epic, Bŗhta
Saṃhita; master of astrology.
Ghatakpara – Expert sculptor and architect.
Shanku – Expert geologist (well known in the field
even today).
Vetalabhadra – Expert in Tantric Sciences and black
magic.
Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son, Kumaragupta I.
Kumaragupta I
Kumaragupta I, also known as Mahendrātiya, was an
able monarch of the Gupta Empire. He retained and
preserved the empire he had inherited from his
father and predecessor, Chandragupta II. His rule
extended from Bengal in the west to Kathiawar in
the east and Himalayas in the north to the Narmada
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in the south. Kumaragupta performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice. He also commissioned the erection of the Iron Pillar, now located at Delhi in the
Qutb Complex. The pillar was originally located,
probably, at the Temple of Muttra with the deity,
Garuda on top.
Coinage
Kartikeya Type Gold Coin Issued by Kumaragupta i
The Gupta rulers issued coins in Gold, Silver, Copper
and Lead. Although gold coins were found in abundance, copper and silver coins are rare. Coins of the
Guptas are the earliest indigenous coinage of India
and are closely related to the coins minted today.
Gupta coins were regular in size and weight and bear
the figure and name of the issuing authority.
The gold coins of the Imperial Guptas display artistic
merit, variety and originality. The bust of the king on
coins is rare; however, the figure of the king can be
seen.
Image Source: http://www.acsearch.info/image.html?id=279007
Obverse - King offering a bunch of grapes to a Peacock with his
right hand, left hand rests on his hip, Brahmi Legend 'jayati
svagunanirguna...mahendrakumārah'
Reverse - Kartikeya riding a Peacock holding a spear in his left
hand resting on his shoulder, scattering something with his right
hand over an indistinct object, Peacock is perched on a platform,
Brahmi Legend 'Mahendrakumārah'
The Guptas issued coins of various types including
the Archer Type, Lion slayer Type, Ashvamedha Type,
King and Queen Type, Lyrist Type, Horseman Type,
Kartikeya Type and Rhinocerous slayer Type.
Lead Coin Issued by Skandagupta
Image Source: http://www.acsearch.info/image.html?id=2330442
Obverse - Garuda standing on snake-line object
Reverse - Brahmi legend
Lyrist Type Gold Coin Issued by Samudragupta
Image Source: http://www.acsearch.info/image.html?id=1237576
Obverse - King seated facing left on the throne, plying Lyre,
Silver Coin Issued by Kumaragupta I
Brahmi legend around King ‘Māhārājādhirāj, Samudraguptah’
Image Source: http://www.acsearch.info/image.html?id=1495366
Reverse - Goddess seated facing left on a stool, legend in
Brahnmi ‘Samudraguptah’
Obverse – King’s Bust
Reverse – Garuda facing front surrounded by Brahmi legend
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8. http://www.indianetzone.com/22/development_science_gupta_
period.htm
9. http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/history/the-condition-of-com
mon-man-in-the-gupta-period-indian-history/4424/
10. http://www.indianetzone.com/22/economic_life_gupta_age.
htm
11. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudragupta
12. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%81lid%C4%81sa
13. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryabhata
Copper Coin Issued By Ramagupta
Image Source: http://api.ning.com/files/1UL3ifpm7Lt0eEDtxYYJUzSsNSVFS265h3
MLLE3xYlYqjXAFzSzGfE5HQ6HdFa17bLrcVQYt68GrE4w366NIsKBbz2VwfZYF/rg2.jpg
14. http://www.importantindia.com/9217/gupta-empire-art-and-arc
hitecture/
15. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandragupta_I
Obverse – Flying Garuda with out-stretched wings
16. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumaragupta_I
Reverse – ‘Rāmagupta’ in Brahmi; Sun and Moon above
17. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandragupta_II
18. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samudragupta
Bibliography
1. http://www.historydiscussion.net/empires/history-of-the-gupta
-empire-indian-history/600
19. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda
20. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_pillar_of_Delhi
21. Coinage of the Gupta Empire by A.S. Altekar
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire
3. https://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/exhibit/guptas/guptas.
html
4. http://www.gloriousindia.com/history/gupta_empire.html
5. http://www.ushistory.org/civ/8e.asp
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_the_Gupta_dynasty
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7. https://www.boundless.com/world-history/textbooks/boundless
-world-history-i-ancient-1600-textbook/civilization-and-empires
-in-the-indian-subcontinent-4/the-gupta-empire-320-550-ce-29/
the-golden-age-of-india-119-13221/
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