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.