Gupta Empire

1. Introduction

After the break-up of the Mauryan Empire, the Satavahanas and the Kushans emerged as two large political powers. The Satavahanas acted as a stabilizing factor in the Deccan and south, to which they gave political unity and economic prosperity on the strength of their trade with the Roman Empire. In the vacuum created in North India, particularly after the decline of the Kushans, a new powerful empire arose: the Gupta Empire, which is often termed as the 'Golden Age' of ancient India.

2. Origin and Foundation of the Gupta Empire

On the ruins of the Kushan empire arose a new empire, which established its sway over a good part of the former dominions of both the Kushans and Satavahanas.
This was the power of the Guptas, who may have been of Vaishya origin. Although the Gupta Empire was not as large as the Mauryan Empire, it kept north India politically united for more than a century, from 335 to 455 AD.
The original kingdom of the Guptas comprised Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at the end of the third century A.D. Uttar Pradesh seems to have been a more important province for the Guptas than Bihar, because early Gupta coins and inscriptions have been mainly found in that state.
Their initial rise was from Magadha (modern Bihar) and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

3. Factors Contributing to the Rise of the Guptas

It is likely that the Guptas learnt the use of saddle, reins, buttoned coats, trousers, and boots from the Kushans. All these gave them mobility and made them excellent horsemen.
In the Kushan scheme of things, chariots and elephants had ceased to be important. Horses played the main part. This also seems to have been the case with the Guptas on whose coins horsemen are represented. Although some Gupta kings are described as excellent and unrivalled chariot warriors, their basic strength lay in the use of horses.
The Guptas enjoyed certain material advantages. The center of their operations lay in the fertile land of Madhyadesa covering Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
They could exploit the iron ore of Central India and south Bihar, which was vital for military equipment and agricultural tools.
Further, they took advantage of their proximity to the areas in north India which carried on silk trade with the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire. This provided them with economic prosperity and resources.
On account of these favorable factors, the Guptas set up their rule over Anuganga (the middle Gangetic basin), Prayag (modern Allahabad), Saketa (modern Ayodhya), and Magadha. In course of time, this kingdom became an all-India empire.

4. Important Rulers of the Gupta Dynasty

4.1. Srigupta (c. 240-280 CE) and Ghatotkacha (c. 280-319 CE) (Value-added)

These were the earliest known rulers of the Gupta dynasty. They probably held the title of "Maharaja."
Their rule was localized, likely in parts of Magadha and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

4.2. Chandragupta I (c. 319-335 CE)

The first important king of the Gupta dynasty was Chandragupta I.
He married a Lichchhavi princess from Nepal, named Kumaradevi, which strengthened his position significantly. The Lichchhavis were a powerful and prestigious clan, and this marriage alliance gave the Guptas political legitimacy and enhanced their social standing.
This strategic marriage probably helped Chandragupta I to seize the kingdom of Magadha and laid the foundation for a larger empire.
He is considered the true founder of the Gupta era, which started in 319-20 AD. He took the title of "Maharajadhiraja" (King of Kings).

4.3. Samudragupta (c. 335-380 CE)

The accession kingdom was enlarged enormously by Chandragupta I's son and successor Samudragupta (A.D. 335–380).
He was a great military genius and is often called the "Napoleon of India" by historian V.A. Smith due to his extensive military conquests.
Samudragupta delighted in violence and conquest. His court poet Harishena wrote a glowing account of the military exploits of his patron in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti). This inscription details his conquests of kings from North India (Aryavarta), South India (Dakshinapatha), and tribal states.
He performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice, signifying his imperial power, and issued gold coins (Dinar) for the first time by a Gupta ruler.
He was a patron of art and literature and was also a skilled musician, as indicated by coins showing him playing the Veena.
He was the opposite of Asoka (Mauryan Emperor) in his policy of peace and non-aggression, as Samudragupta was an expansionist and militaristic ruler.

4.4. Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) (c. 380-413/415 CE)

The reign of Chandragupta II saw the high watermark of the Gupta Empire, reaching its zenith in terms of territorial expansion and cultural flourishing.
He extended the limits of the empire by both marriage alliance and conquests.
He formed a marriage alliance with the Vakataka dynasty in the Deccan by marrying his daughter Prabhavatigupta to their king, which helped him secure the southern flank during his western campaigns.
He conquered the western Malwa and Gujarat regions from the Shaka Kshatrapas, gaining access to the rich ports of the west coast (like Bharuch, Sopara, Cambay). This greatly boosted trade and prosperity.
He took the title of "Vikramaditya", celebrating his victory over the Sakas.
His court was adorned by the famous "Navaratnas" (Nine Jewels), including the renowned Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.

4.5. Other Significant Rulers (Value-added)

Kumaragupta I (c. 415-455 CE): Maintained the vast empire and performed Ashvamedha sacrifices. He founded the famous Nalanda University.
Skandagupta (c. 455-467 CE): The last great Gupta ruler. He successfully repelled the first wave of Huna invasions, saving the empire from immediate collapse, but at a great cost to the empire's resources.

5. Administration of the Gupta Empire (Value-added)

Decentralized Administration: Unlike the Mauryas, the Guptas had a more decentralized administration with greater autonomy to local chiefs and feudatories (Samantas).
Provinces (Bhuktis): The empire was divided into provinces called Bhuktis, governed by Uparikas or Bhogapatis.
Districts (Vishayas): Provinces were further divided into districts called Vishayas, headed by Vishayapatis.
Village Administration: Villages were managed by Gramikas with the help of village elders.
No Standing Army: The Gupta army was likely less professional than the Mauryan, relying more on feudal levies.
Less Taxation: Land revenue was a major source of income, but the overall tax burden was lighter than in the Mauryan period, contributing to prosperity.

6. The Golden Age of India: Cultural and Scientific Achievements (Value-added)

The Gupta period is often hailed as a "Golden Age" due to its unparalleled achievements in various fields:

Literature:
- Kalidasa: The greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist (e.g., Abhijnanasakuntalam, Meghaduta, Raghuvamsha, Kumarasambhava).
- Other prominent literary figures include Sudraka (Mricchakatika), Vishakhadatta (Mudrarakshasa, Devichandraguptam), and Bharavi (Kiratarjuniya).
- Puranas were largely compiled during this period.
Art and Architecture:
- Emergence of distinctive temple architecture (e.g., Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh, Bhitargaon Brick Temple).
- Exquisite sculptures of Hindu deities (Vishnu, Shiva, Durga) in stone and metal.
- Buddhist art flourished (e.g., Sarnath Buddha, Mathura Buddha, Ajanta Cave paintings).
- Metalworking reached its peak (e.g., Delhi Iron Pillar, Sultanaganj Buddha statue).
Science and Mathematics:
- Aryabhata: Authored "Aryabhatiya," proposing the concept of zero, the decimal system, calculated Pi to four decimal places, and explained the rotation of the Earth, eclipses.
- Varahamihira: Astronomer, astrologer, and mathematician (e.g., Brihat Samhita).
- Brahmagupta: Developed rules for operations with zero and negative numbers.
- Charaka and Sushruta: Though from earlier periods, medical knowledge saw further advancement and compilation.
Astronomy: Advanced understanding of celestial bodies, earth's rotation, and eclipses.
Metallurgy: High-quality iron production, as evidenced by the rust-proof Delhi Iron Pillar, which stands to this day.

7. Decline of the Gupta Empire (Value-added)

Huna Invasions: The most significant factor. Repeated invasions by the Hunas (a nomadic group from Central Asia) severely weakened the empire from the north-west, draining its resources.
Weak Successors: After Skandagupta, the later Gupta rulers were less capable and could not maintain the vast empire.
Rise of Feudatories: Increasing power of regional chiefs and feudatories who began asserting independence.
Economic Strain: Constant warfare and the need to repel invaders put a huge strain on the state treasury. Decline in long-distance trade.
Internal Dissensions: Possible internal conflicts or succession disputes.
By the mid-6th century CE, the Gupta Empire had fragmented into several independent regional kingdoms.