Pride of Governance - Gupta Empira

Gupta Empire

320 to 550 CE

The Gupta Empire was founded by Maharaja Sri Gupta and covered much of the Indian Subcontinent. It was a very peaceful and prosperous regime and scientific and artistic pursuits flourished during this time. Infact, this period is called the Golden Age of India, marked by extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy which culminated into the Hindu culture. Political administration also gained new heights and so did trade ties which made the region an important cultural centre for nearby kingdoms like Burma, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

Most notable rulers: Chandra Gupta I, Samudra Gupta, and Chandra Gupta II

Eminent Scholars during this period: Kalidasa, Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Vishnu Sharma and Vatsyayana.

Decline: The Empire declined due to substantial loss of territory and imperial authority caused by their own erstwhile feudatories and the invasion by the Huna peoples from Central Asia.

Srigupta: c. 240–280 CE

Ghatotkacha: He was the son of Srigupta and ruled from c. 280–319 CE

Maharajidhiraja Chandragupta I:  Ghaotkacha’s son Chadragupta reined from c. 319–335 CE). He was married to Kumaradevi, a Lichchhavi princess—the main power in Magadha. With a dowry of the kingdom of Magadha (capital Pataliputra) and an alliance with the Lichchhavis, Chandragupta conquered much of Magadha, Prayaga and Saketa. His realm stretched from the Ganges River to Prayaga (modern-day Allahabad) by 321 CE. He was also known as Maharajadhiraja.

Samudragupta: Samudragupta succeeded his father Chandragupta in 335 CE, and ruled for about 45 years. He died in 380, by then, he had incorporated over twenty kingdoms into his realm and his rule extended from the Himalayas to the river Narmada and from the Brahmaputra to the Yamuna. He gave himself the titles King of Kings and World Monarch.

Besides, being a talented military leader, he was a great patron of art and literature and was a poet and musician himself. The important scholars present in his court were Harishena, Vasubandhu and Asanga. He firmly believed in Hinduism and is known to have worshipped Lord Vishnu. But, he was equally considerate of other religions and permitted Sri Lanka's Buddhist king Sirimeghvanna to build  Mahabodhi Sangharama, a monastery at Bodh Gaya. Samudragupta provided a gold railing around the Bodhi Tree.

Ramagupta: He was the elder son of Samudragupta but was ousted by his younger brother Chandragupta II.

Chandragupta II "Vikramaditya”: He ruled from 380-413 CE. He established a second capital at Ujjain and was the high point of the empire.

 Hindu art, literature, culture and science, flourished during the rule of Chandra Gupta II.  Important works of Hindu art during this period include panels at the Dashavatara Temple in Deogarh. His court was graced by the Navaratna (Nine Jewels), a group of nine who excelled in the literary arts, which included legendary Kalidasa.

Kumaragupta I: He assumed the title of  Mahendraditya. He ruled until 455.

Skandagupta & Sidhartha Gupta: Skandagupta, son and successor of Kumaragupta I is generally considered to be the last of the great Gupta rulers. He assumed the titles of Vikramaditya and Kramaditya.

Decline of the empire: Skandagupta was followed by weak rulers. The empire disintegrated under the attacks of Toramana and his successor Mihirakula.

Administration under the Gupta Empire: There was a hierarchy of administrative divisions. The empire was called by various names such as Rajya, Rashtra, Desha, Mandala, Prithvi and Avani. It was divided into 26 provinces, which were styled as Bhukti, Pradesha and Bhoga. Provinces were further divided into Vishayas and controlled by Vishayapatis. A Vishayapati administered the Vishaya with the help of the Adhikarana (council of representatives), which comprised four representatives: Nagarasreshesthi, Sarthavaha, Prathamakulika and Prathama Kayastha. A part of the Vishaya was called Vithi

Timeline

320 : Chandragupta I founded the Gupta Empire and expands his regime

330-376 : Samudragupta expands the empire from the Indus River to the Bay of Bengal, and up into the northern mountains.

376-415 : Chandragupta II makes the empire secure, and encourages trade.

415-450 : Kalidas composes most of his poetry in the reign of Kumargupta (415-455).

450 : Empire begin to collapse under pressure from invading Huns.

554 : The Gupta dynasty ends with the death of the last emperor Shashakgupta.

Pride of Place - Bodhgaya

Visit Bodhgaya...attain nirvana

Located in the Gaya district of Bihar, Bodhgaya   is one of the most sacred places and a Buddhist pilgrimage centre of high significance. It is famous for Mahabodhi temple and Bodhi tree. It is believed that Lord Buddha meditated under this tree. It is here that the Prince Gautama gained enlightenment and came to be known as Buddha.

People come here to explore Buddhism, its culture and tradition. Various monasteries and temples have been constructed here by international Buddhist communities.

One place...different names

Before Lord Buddha’s enlightenment, this city was known as Uruvela due to the presence of sand. After Lord Buddha's enlightenment, it came to be known as Bodhimanda, Vajrasana, Sambodhi and Mahabodhi.

Places of significance...

Bodhgaya is famous pilgrimage destination. Visitors visit the Mahabodhi Temple, Animesh Lochan Chaitya, Chankramana, etc.

Bodh Gaya: Situated on the bank of river Neranjana, Bodh Gaya is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous for being the place where Gautama Buddha obtained Enlightenment (Bodhimandala, which means a state of having infinite knowledge, and being able to accomplish the Noble and Universal truths.

For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar (where lord Buddha attained nirvana), Lumbini (where Lord Buddha was born)and Sarnath (where Lord Buddha first taught).    

Mahabodhi Temple:  Mahabodhi Temple attained the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The complex, located about 110 kilometres from Patna, contains the Mahabodhi Temple with the diamond throne (called the Vajrasana) and the holy Bodhi tree.

Kind Ashoka is believed to be the founder of Mahabodhi Temple, who visited Bodh Gaya 250 years after the Enlightenment of the Buddha. The original temple consisted of an elongated spire crowned by a miniature stupa and a chhatravali on a platform. A double flight of steps led up to the platform and the upper sanctum. The mouldings on the spire contained Buddha images. This temple was however lost with time, but was later restored by Sir Alexander Cunningham in the late 19th century.

Other Buddhist temples:  In the Mahabodhi Temple complex, several Buddhist temples and monasteries have been built by the people of various countries like Bhutan, China, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam. Hence, these buildings reflect the architectural style of their respective countries. 

Pride of People - Maharishi Valmiki

Maharishi Valmiki is one of the most celebrated poets in Sanskrit literature, who gave us epic Ramayaṇa. He is revered as the Adi Kavi, meaning First Poet, for inventing sloka (i.e. first verse or epic metre), which set the base and defined the form of Sanskrit poetry.

What’s in a name: Valmiki means one born out of ant hills.

How Valmiki was born: According to Uttara Kanda, Valmiki was a highway robber named Ratnakar, who used to rob people after killing them. One particular day, he tried to rob Narada, who asked him if his family would share his sin of robbery. The robber replied positively, but Narada told him to confirm this with his family, who disagreed to share his sin. Ratnakar was dejected and asked Narada for forgiveness. In turn, Narada taught him the mantra of salvation – Rama – but in the phonetic anagram ‘Mara’ as he was not fit to receive the mantra of salvation due to his wrong deeds. Valmiki chanted the mantra for several years. Ant-hills grew around his body, until a divine voice declared his penance successful and bestowed him the name of Valmiki – one born out of ant-hills.

Valmiki’s Ramayana: The Ramayaṇa, originally written by Valmiki (dated from 500 BC to 100 BC,), consists of 23,000 slokas and 7 Kandas including the Uttara Kanda. It is written in 480,002 words and narrates the story of Lord Rama of Ayodhya, whose wife Sita is abducted by the demon-king of Lanka, Ravana.

It is also quoted that Sri Rama met Valmiki during his period of exile and interacted with him. He also gave shelter to Sita when Rama abandoned her and her sons Kusa and Lava were born in his shelter. Valmiki taught Ramayaṇa to Kusa and Lava, who later sang the divine story in Ayodhya during the Asvamedha yajna congregation. 

Pride of Knowledge - Nalanda

Nalanda – Historical facts

Nalanda was one of the most acclaimed Buddhist monasteries in ancient Magadha (now Bihar). Located about 95 kilometres southeast of Patna, it was a well-known religious centre of learning from the 5 CE to 1197 CE. The school attracted scholars and students from not just India, but neighbouring countries like Tibet, China, Korea and Central Asia. The centre of learning flourished under the rule of Gupta Empire and later Pala Empire. It is believed that Nalanda was established during Gupta Dynasty. While, a number of monasteries grew up during Pala period, Nalanda was one of the famous ones.

Initially, a small village on a major trade route, Nalanda was situated near Rajagriha (now Rajgir), which was then the capital of Magadha.

Buddhist connection: Lord Buddha is believed to have delivered sermons in a nearby forest Pravarik while one of his chief disciples Shariputra was born and attained nirvana here.

Jain connection: Nalanda also has strong ties with Jain religion. The Jain thirthankara Mahavira spent 14 rainy seasons at Nalanda.

About the school: A residential school, Nalanda is claimed to have accommodated over 10,000 students and 2000 teachers. A nine-storied building was its library where huge number of books were produced and stored. It is believed that the library burned for three months after the invaders set fire to it in 1197 CE – c. 1203 CE during the Muslim invasion in which Bakhtiyar Khilji sacked it and set it to flames.

Architecture: An architectural work of art, Nalanda was built with red bricks. It had a lofty wall, eight separate compounds, ten temples and a multitude of meditation halls and classrooms. It also had lakes and parks.  Its ruins occupy an area of 14 hectares (488 by 244 metres.

Scholars and eminent people associated with Nalanda included:

•           Aryabhata

•           Aryadeva, student of Nagarjuna

•           Atisa

•           Chandrakirti

•           Dharmakirti, logician

•           Dharmapala

•           Dinnaga, founder of Buddhist Logic

•           Jinamitra

•           Nagarjuna, formaliser of the concept of Shunyata

•           Padmasambhava, master of Tantric Buddhism

•           Shantarakshita, founder of the first monastic order in Tibet

•           Shilabhadra, the teacher of Xuanzang

•           Xuanzang, Chinese Buddhist traveller

•           Yijing, Chinese Buddhist traveller

Destruction of Nalanda: It is believed that  in c. 1197 CE, Nalanda was ransacked by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turk, who wanted to uproot Buddhism.

Nalanda revived: September 1, 2014, saw the commencement of the first academic year of a modern Nalanda University with 15 students, in Rajgir. It has been established in a bid to revive the ancient seat of learning. The university has acquired 455 acres of land for its campus and has been allotted ₹2727 crores by the Indian government. It is also being funded by the governments of China, Singapore

Pride of Governance - The Maurya Empire

The Maurya Empire

(322–185 BCE)

Capital city: Pataliputra (modern Patna).

Founded by:  Chandragupta Maurya, who had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty.

Expanse: The Maurya Empire was one of the world's largest empires in its time, and the largest ever in the Indian subcontinent. In its glorious days, the empire stretched to the north along the natural boundaries of the Himalayas, to the east into Assam, to the west into Balochistan (south west Pakistan and south east Iran) and the Hindu Kush mountains (Afghanistan).

Population: 50-60 million

Important factors under Maurya Empire:

Under Chandragupta Maurya and his successors - internal and external trade, agriculture and economic activities - thrived and expanded across India, owing to a single and efficient system of finance, administration, and security.  There was social harmony, religious transformation, and expansion of the sciences and of knowledge. Chandragupta Maurya embraced Jainism increased social and religious renewal and reform across his society, while Ashoka's embraced Buddhism (after the Kalinga War) and is said to have been the foundation of the reign of social and political peace and non-violence across all of India. Ashoka also spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, West Asia and Mediterranean Europe.

Important  records: The Arthashastra and the Edicts of Ashoka are the primary sources of written records of Mauryan times. The Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath has been made the national emblem of India.

Chandragupta Maurya: Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire with help of Chanakya, a Brahmin teacher at Taxila. He defeated the Nanda Empire and started a new era.

Bindusara: Bindusara was the son of the Chandragupta Maurya and his queen Durdhara. During his reign, the empire expanded southwards, as far as what is known as Karnataka. He inherited the empire when he was just 22 years old.. He brought sixteen states under the Mauryan Empire and thus conquered almost the entire Indian peninsula.

Ashoka the Great: Ashoka was the son of Bindusara. Popularly known as Ashoka the Great, he was one of India’s greatest emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost the entire Indian subcontinent from circa 269 BCE to 232 BCE. His realm stretched from the Hindu Kush mountains in the west to Bengal in the East and covered the entire Indian subcontinent except parts of present day Tamil Nadu and Kerala. His capital was Pataliputra (in Magadha, present-day Bihar), with provincial capitals at Taxila and Ujjain.

In 260 BCE, Ashoka conquered Kalinga (present day odisha), which none of his ancestors had done. But, that was the changing point in his life. Seeing the mass deaths (100,000-150,000) of the Kalinga War, he went into a phase of remorse and gradually converted to Buddhism, beginning 263 BCE. He dedicated his life to the propagation of Buddhism across Asia and was instrumental in establishing many Buddhist monasteries.

Decline: Ashoka was followed for 50 years by a succession of weaker kings. Brihadrata was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty.

Administration under Mauryan Empire:

The Empire was divided into four provinces, the provincial capitals being Tosali (in the east), Ujjain (in the west), Suvarnagiri (in the south), and Taxila (in the north). The head of the provincial administration was the Kumara (royal prince), who governed the provinces as king's representative. The kumara was assisted by Mahamatyas and council of ministers (Mantriparishad).

Timeline of Mauryan Empire

322 BC : Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire by dethroning the Nanda Dynasty.

317–316 BC : Chandragupta Maurya conquers the Northwest of the Indian subcontinent.

305–303 BC : Chandragupta Maurya gains territory from the Seleucid Empire.

301–269 BC : Reign of Bindusara, Chandragupta's son, who conquers parts of Deccan, southern India.

269–232 BC : The Maurya Empire reaches its pinnacle under the leadership of Ashoka, son of Bindusara.

261 BC : Ashoka conquers the kingdom of Kalinga and later moves towards Buddhism

250 BC : Ashoka builds Buddhist stupas and erects pillars bearing inscriptions.

184 BC :The empire collapses when Brihadnatha, the last emperor, is killed by Pushyamitra Sunga, a Mauryan general and the founder of the Sunga Empire.

Lord Buddha’s Pearls of Wisdom...

·          A jug fills drop by drop.

·          All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

·          All wrong-doing arises because of mind. If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain?

·          An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.

·          Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

·          Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.

·          Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

·          Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.

·          Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.

·          Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

·          He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves no one has no woes.

·          Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.

·          Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.

·          However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?

·          I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.

·          I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.

·          In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.

·          In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.

·          It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

·          It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.

·          It is better to travel well than to arrive.

·          Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.

·          Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.

·          No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.

·          Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

·          The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.

·          The mind is everything. What you think you become.

·          The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.

·          The tongue like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood.

·          The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.

·          The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.

·          The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.

·          The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve.

·          There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.

·          There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it.

·          There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.

·          Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.

·          Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

·          To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.

·          To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.

·          To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.

·          To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance.

·          Unity can only be manifested by the Binary. Unity itself and the idea of Unity are already two.

·          Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good.

·          We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.

·          We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

·          We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.

·          What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What's the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this flood?

·          What we think, we become.

·          Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.

·          When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear.

·          Without health life is not life; it is only a state of langour and suffering - an image of death.

·          Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

·          You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.

·          You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.

·          You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.