Introduction
After the Mauryan Empire’s fall and the Kushans unsuccessful attempt to rule India, the Guptas arose and established a large kingdom in Northern and Central India in the 4th century AD.
Their rule lasted for more than 200 years (320 AD-550 AD).
This period is referred to as the golden age or classical age of ancient India because art, science and literature flourished during this period to a great extent.
Shri Gupta was the Gupta kingdom founder (240-280 AD) and was succeeded by his son Ghatotkacha (280-319 AD).
Chandragupta- I
Ghatotkacha’son Chandragupta- I (319-335 AD) was the first important king of the Gupta dynasty married to Licchavi princess Kumaradevi. This matrimonial alliance with the Licchavis gave prestige to Guptas. He conquered nearby kingdoms and assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja.
Samudragupta
Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Samudragupta (335 AD-380AD), followed an aggression and conquest policy and was called “Napoleon of India ” by Vincent Smith. His court poet, Harisena, wrote an inscription engraved at Allahabad on Ashokan pillar or Prayag inscription/Prasasti; according to this, he was a great conqueror. Places and countries conquered by Samudra Gupta can be divided into 5.
His empire extended from the West’s Ravi River, from the Brahmaputra river in the east, and from the Himalayan foothills in the north to central India in the southwest.
Samudragupta had the various titles Kaviraja, Param Bhagvat, Ashvamedha Prakarma and Sarva Raj Ochehheta.
Samudragupta was a vaishnavite and issued gold coins Garuda type, Dhanurdhari, Veenavadan, Tiger killing, and Ashvamedha.
All
Chandragupta 2
Samudragupta was succeeded by his son Chandragupta 2 or Vikramaditya (380 AD- 414 AD), who continued to expand the Gupta empire through conquest and matrimonial alliances. He married a Naga princess and married his daughter Prabhakar to Vakataka prince after Vakataka prince’s death; Chandragupta 2 indirectly ruled the Vakataka kingdom in central India.
Chandragupta 2 defeated Shakas of Gujarat, adopted Vikramaditya and Sakari’s title and had access to the western seacoast famous for trade and commerce. He issued silver coins to commemorate his victory over Sakas. He was the first Gupta ruler to give silver coins.
Ujjain seems to be the second capital of Chandragupta 2. His Ujjain court was adorned by nine luminaries or navratna.
1.Kalidaswrote Drama- Malavikagnimitram, Abhigyan Shakuntalam, Vikrmovaishyam; Poetry- Ritusamhara, Raghuvansham, Meghdutam, Kumarsmbhavam ). Kalidas is also known as Shakespeare of India.
2. Amarsimha (Amarsinhakosa)
3. Dhanvantri(Navanitakam-medical text)
4. Ghatakarapara
5. Kshapanaka
6. Shanku
7. Varahamihira ( Pancha Siddhantika, Varihasamitha)
8. Vararuchi ( Vartika-a comment on Ashtadhyayi)
9. Vetala Bhatta
Mehrauli iron pillar inscription of Delhi tells about Chandragupta 2.Fahien, a Chinese pilgrim, visited India during the reign of Chandragupta 2 described his experience in Foguoji.
The successor of Chandragupta was Kumargupta or Mahendraditya (415 AD-455 AD).
He founded the Nalanda Mahavihara
Kumaragupta
Kumargupta was a worshipper of God Kartikeyan and performed Ashvamedha. Kumargupta bore the title of Maharajadhiraj, Parambhattarak and Mahendraditya.
Skanda Gupta ( 455 AD 467 AD )
Kumargupta was succeeded by his son Skandagupta ( 455 AD-467 AD ), the last great ruler of the Gupta dynasty. During his reign, Huns invaded the Gupta empire. Skandahupta effectively tried to stop Huns( Bhitari inscription).
The continuous attack of the Huns weakened the Gupta empire, and the decline of the empire began after Skandahupta’s death.
ADMINISTRATION
- In the Gupta period, land taxes ranged from 1/6-1/4th.
- Empire was divided into bhuktis( province), vishaya( district), Nagar and gram.
- The most essential officers were Kumaramatayas.
- Charters were marked with the royal Garuda seal.
The Guptas issued the largest number of gold coins called dinars.
ARCHITECTURE
1.Temples – Dashavatara temple Deogarh (U.P ), Parvati temple of Nachana Kuthar
( M.P), Krishana brick temple of Bhittaragaon (U.P ), Vishnu and Varah temple of Eran (M.P). Panchayat temple began with Guptas.
2. Rock-cut caves- Ajanta and Ellora caves Maharashtra and Bagh caves Madhya Pradesh.
3. Stupas-Mirpur Khas( Sindh), Dhammekh ( Sarnath). A 2m high bronze image of Buddha recovered from Sultanganj.
Brahmanism regained supremacy during the Gupta period and was divided into two branches
1.Vaishnavism or Bhagvatism
2. Shaivism.
The most important books of Bhagvatism called Bhagvat Purana, Garuda Puranawere wrote during this period.
Sanskrit was the court language of Guptas. For the first time, we get images of Vishnu, Shiva and other Gods.
LITERATURE
- Aryabhata, Suryasidhanta were written by Aryabhatt.
- Panchtantra – Vishnugupta.