Gupta Empire – Study Notes for SSC Exams

An Overview Of The Gupta Empire

Established by Sri Gupta circa 240 -280 CE, the Gupta Empire from circa 320-550 CE approximately, enveloped much of the Indian Subcontinent primarily through wars. The rapid decline of the Mauryan empire brought forth two dominant political powers namely, the Kushanas and the Satavahanas eventually giving way to the Gupta dynasty. Under the Gupta rule, the northern part of India was integrated for approximately more than a century (c.335 CE-445 CE). Historically proven to be vassals of the Kushanas, the Guptas’ initial dominion encompassed Uttar Pradesh and Bihar while Prayag in Uttar Pradesh remained as their centre of all important matters. 

It was during the Gupta rule that many research and scientific experimentations were making a breakthrough, in addition to the progress in literature, astronomy, engineering, logic, culture, religion, and mathematics. This golden era brought about some of the greatest achievements ever known as a hierarchy of administration, which meant a decentralized form of government with the King being the highest power, architecture was at its peak with the rock-cut workmanship of the monuments and temples, most of the  Indian art and literary works that we see and know about were heavily influenced during the reign of the Guptas, not to mention the developments in the medical field – healthcare boomed, use of proper medications, vaccines, and surgical instruments was in.

While studying and carefully analyzing the Gupta period, it is essential to note that we have to depend on three different resources that can validate history namely –

• Epigraphical sources
• Literary sources and,
• Numismatic sources

These sources give us a solid and detailed version of the socio-economic accounts and achievements of the events that transpired throughout the golden era. 

Rulers Of The Gupta Empire

Here is a compiled list of all the prominent rulers of the Gupta empire.

Rulers Of The Gupta Dynasty	Major Facts and Achievements To Remember
Sri Gupta	Established the Gupta dynasty and took the title of ‘Maharaja’.Ruled from c.240 CE to c.280 CE.
Ghatotkacha Gupta	Successor to Sri Gupta.(not much is known about his reign)
Chandragupta I	The Gupta era commenced with him taking over. Ruled from c.319 CE to c. 335/336 CE (approx.). His sweeping conquests have been acknowledged upon the Mehrauli Iron Pillar. His military achievements on the battlefield and marriage to the Licchavi princess marked his illustriousness and postulated his title of ‘Maharajadiraja’.
Samudragupta	He went down in history as the ‘Indian Napoleon’, a term coined by Irish Art Historian V.A. Smith. Ruled from c.335-336 CE (approx.) to c.375 CE. His military conquests are inscribed on the Allahabad Pillar, in stages and crusades on the Eran inscription. He was able to politically unify India, making it a force not to be reckoned with. He endorsed Sanskrit literature during his reign
Chandragupta II (aka Vikramaditya)	Under his reign, the Gupta empire seized entry to the Arabian Sea and started trade and commerce with the Western world.  Ruled from c.376 CE – c.413-415 CE(approx.) Fa-Xian, a Chinese sojourner recounts the flourishing socio-economic and religious status during his stay in India under the rule of Chandragupta II. Patron of the Navratnas in his court. First Gupta ruler to promulgate silver coins.
Kumaragupta I (Mahendraditya)	Established the Nalanda University which later grew into prominence internationally. Ruled from c.415 CE – c.455 CE
Skandagupta	One of the later greats of the Guptas was able to resist attacks by the Huns from Central Asia, although the continuous attacks led to a strain on the economy.  Ruled from c.455 CE – c.467 CE.

Architectural Wonders From The Gupta Empire

The evolution from the traditional rock-cut shrines brought about a deliberate structural stability embellished with scenes from Hindu mythology to life. The influence of Gupta architecture in modern society even now seems unequivocal. 

Udayagiri in Madhya Pradesh authenticates a few cave shrines to the Gupta era. An exemplary work that celebrates Gupta architecture shows the incarnation of Vishnu as the boar-headed Varaha. Ajanta caves in the North-West Deccan show wall paintings and murals taken from Buddhist lore. Of the 29 rock-cut caves, cave 19 shows a promising Gupta architectural technique with a cylindric veranda with a semi-circular construction above for airing. Later on, the Gupta dynasty gave away to structural, free-standing buildings and temples and appropriated embossed door frames, chiselled panels, and even T-shaped entrances. 

Gupta architecture highly regarded the square to be the most ideal shape, their point of reasoning being that a temple is to be appreciated from all sides. 

Social Status Under The Reign Of The Gupta Empire

Under the Gupta rule, social status had undergone expeditious changes. One particular epigraph mentions “keeping the castes confined to their respective spheres of duty”, although that was not always the case as sometimes during wars, people from other skilled professions had to be a part of soldiering and vice versa. Society was becoming more hierarchical and rigid in terms of structure. Certain social codes prevented the intermingling of castes and occupations.

After the decline of the early Gupta empire, the migrants seized the properties of the former Kshatriyas and formed themselves into certain clans and castes. 

The grade status of the people under the Gupta empire did not change. The higher caste still considered those of the lower caste to be impure. A certain lower society of people called the Chandalas was a notch different from the other prevalent lower sects. The chandalas, upon entering the city gates or even the marketplace, used to make their presence known by striking a piece of wood, the action stating that everyone, especially those of the higher castes, is not in contact with them, otherwise polluting the area with their mere existence. The continuance of the impure castes spread out to the northeastern states by the decline of the Gupta empire and is even recorded by Al-Biruni, an Iranian scholar. 

Religion Under The Gupta Empire

Hindu civilization flourished under the Gupta empire, with Sanskrit literature becoming more prominent under the patronage of the rulers. Although Orthodox Hinduism was more prevalent, other religions like Buddhism and Jainism could co-exist quite peacefully. The very essence of such coexistence allowed pilgrims like Fa-Xian to come to India, promoting religious harmony. 

After the gradual decline of Buddhism in India, Hinduism was reasserted into Brahmanis, wherein several Vedic traditions were mixed with the aboriginal gods. The Gupta ruler was regarded as the manifestation of Vishnu.

With the entry of immigrants, the caste system was propagated, leading to several new sects and more casteism. Brahmins were seen as the superior caste with regards to money, caste, and status. By the end of the 16th century, the denominations of Vishnu, Krishna, and Rama spread widely with the affirmation of the three being supreme gods. 

Conclusion 

The fall of the Gupta Empire accords to the weak administration and predominant invasions from the Huns after the reign of Skandagupta. The decline, which occurred around c.550 CE, degenerated into several regional kingdoms, which were then ruled by chieftains. 

FAQs 

• SSC CGL Full Form, All You Need to Know About SSC CGL
• SSC CGL 2024 Notification, Exam Date Out
• SSC CGL Salary 2024, Check Perks, Allowances and Benefits
• SSC CGL Syllabus 2024 & Exam Pattern for Tier 1 and 2
• SSC CGL Exam Date 2024, Check the Exam Schedule