Gupta empire:Gupta empire:Administration, Agrarian and Administration, Agrarian and revenue system, patterns of revenue system, patterns of urban settlement and trade urban settlement and trade

Pre- Gupta period: 200 B.C.to Pre- Gupta period: 200 B.C.to 300 A.D.300 A.D.

SungasSungas KanvasKanvas

Bactrian GreeksBactrian Greeks ScythiansScythians ParthianParthian KushanaKushana KharavelaKharavela

SatavahanasSatavahanas CholasCholas

PandyasPandyas KeralputrasKeralputras SatiyaputrasSatiyaputras

CherasCheras

SILK ROADSILK ROAD

Features of this periodFeatures of this period

• Described as dark period in Indian History.Described as dark period in Indian History.

• Foreign Dynasties fought with each other Foreign Dynasties fought with each other for short lived and ephemeral supremacy.for short lived and ephemeral supremacy.

• Intensive Cultural and Economic contact Intensive Cultural and Economic contact from outside world.from outside world.

• Buddhism enjoyed royal patronage.Buddhism enjoyed royal patronage.

• New cult of Hinduism arose.New cult of Hinduism arose.

• Organization of Empires includes large Organization of Empires includes large scale incorporation of local rulers.scale incorporation of local rulers.

• Best known contribution of this period was Best known contribution of this period was to Indian Art.to Indian Art.

• Compilation of the Authoritative Hindu Compilation of the Authoritative Hindu Law Books.Law Books.

• Around 320 A.D.,Around 320 A.D.,• another greatanother great• Indian empireIndian empire• emerged. It emerged. It

• was known aswas known as• the Gupta the Gupta

• empire.empire.

Gupta Period:Gupta Period:

• Srigupta.Srigupta.

• Ghatotkacha Gupta.Ghatotkacha Gupta.

• Chandra Gupta I (320 A.D.-325 A.D.)Chandra Gupta I (320 A.D.-325 A.D.)

• Samudra Gupta (325 A.D.-375 A.D.)Samudra Gupta (325 A.D.-375 A.D.)

• Chandra Gupta II (375A.D.-415 A.D.)Chandra Gupta II (375A.D.-415 A.D.)

• Kumara Gupta (415 A.D.-454 A.D.)Kumara Gupta (415 A.D.-454 A.D.)

• Skanda Gupta (454 A.D.-467 A.D.)Skanda Gupta (454 A.D.-467 A.D.)

Hierarchy of RulersHierarchy of Rulers

Samudra Gupta (335 – 375 A.D.)Samudra Gupta (335 – 375 A.D.)

ChandraGupta II Vikramaditya (375 – 415 A.D.)

ChandraGupta II Vikramaditya (375 – 415 A.D.)

Chandragupta I (320 – 335 A.D.)Chandragupta I (320 – 335 A.D.)

Kumar Gupta (415 – 454 A.D.)Kumar Gupta (415 – 454 A.D.)

Skanda Gupta(454- 467 ADSkanda Gupta(454- 467 AD

Fa-Hsien: Life in Fa-Hsien: Life in Gupta IndiaGupta India

Chinese Buddhist monk traveled along the Silk Road and visited India in the 5c.

He was following the path of the Buddha.

He reported the people to be happy, relatively free of government oppression, and inclined towards courtesy and charity. Other references in the journal, however, indicate that the caste system was rapidly assuming its basic features, including "untouchability," the social isolation of a lowest class that is doomed to menial labor.

Gupta DynastyGupta Dynasty

Chandragupta IChandragupta I

• Chandragupta was a chieftain who Chandragupta was a chieftain who married Kumaradevi and inherited a small married Kumaradevi and inherited a small kingdom. kingdom.

• Eventually he expanded to become the Eventually he expanded to become the King of Magadha. His kingdom was limited King of Magadha. His kingdom was limited to that region.to that region.

SamudraguptaSamudraguptaSon of Chandragupta I. Crowned Samudragupta to Son of Chandragupta I. Crowned Samudragupta to

be the King for his abilities even though he was not be the King for his abilities even though he was not the eldest.the eldest.

He was very adventurous and led his army across the He was very adventurous and led his army across the 4800 km span of India and conquered kingdoms 4800 km span of India and conquered kingdoms along the way.along the way.

Performed Ashawamedha Yagna (Horse Sacrifice) Performed Ashawamedha Yagna (Horse Sacrifice) and proclaimed himself Emperor.and proclaimed himself Emperor.

Very talented in musical instrument of Veena. Very talented in musical instrument of Veena. Study of art, literature, and science flourished.Study of art, literature, and science flourished.Buddhist monastry at Bodh Gaya was built.Buddhist monastry at Bodh Gaya was built.

Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)

• He extended his rule in every direction but South. He added the title He extended his rule in every direction but South. He added the title to his name: Vikramaditya (Son of Power). to his name: Vikramaditya (Son of Power).

• Hindus still call Vikram Samvat: i.e. beginning of the year of his Hindus still call Vikram Samvat: i.e. beginning of the year of his kingdom.kingdom.

• All his achievements are inscribed on famous iron pillar in Delhi All his achievements are inscribed on famous iron pillar in Delhi which remain clear even today.which remain clear even today.

• Established direct trade with Egypt and other western countries.Established direct trade with Egypt and other western countries.• YagnavalkaYagnavalka rishi, rishi, KalidasaKalidasa lived during this time. lived during this time. • Paintings in Ajanta and Ellora caves are from this era. Paintings in Ajanta and Ellora caves are from this era. • Fa Hien, the Chinese pilgirm spent 11 years during this time Fa Hien, the Chinese pilgirm spent 11 years during this time

studying Sanskrit and wrote about prosperity.studying Sanskrit and wrote about prosperity.

Kumargupta IKumargupta I

• Further expanded the kingdom and Further expanded the kingdom and performed Ashwamedh Yagna. performed Ashwamedh Yagna.

• No other exceptional achievements are No other exceptional achievements are noted during this time.noted during this time.

Gupta Administration:Gupta Administration:

Kingship:Kingship:

• Assumption of High sounding titles.Assumption of High sounding titles.

• Divine nature of Monarchy.Divine nature of Monarchy.

• Ruler was administrator of Law.Ruler was administrator of Law.

• Rulers authority was circumscribed by Rulers authority was circumscribed by various checks.various checks.

Mantriparishad:Mantriparishad: Prime Minister.Prime Minister. Council.Council. Kumaramatyas.Kumaramatyas.

Army Administration:Army Administration: Commander- in- chief.Commander- in- chief. War Office.War Office. War finances.War finances.

Taxation System:Taxation System:

• Land Tax.Land Tax.

• Merchants, Artisans, Traders, paid taxes.Merchants, Artisans, Traders, paid taxes.

• Income from Mint.Income from Mint.

• Booty of War.Booty of War.

• Tribute from feudatories.Tribute from feudatories.

• Villages.Villages.

• Vithis.Vithis.

• Vishayas.Vishayas.

• Bhuktis.Bhuktis.

• Center.Center.

Provincial Administration:Provincial Administration: Provinces called Bhuktis.Provinces called Bhuktis. Governors Called Uparika Maharaja.Governors Called Uparika Maharaja. Council of ministers.Council of ministers.

District Administration:District Administration: Districts called Vishayas.Districts called Vishayas. Headed by Kumaramatya.Headed by Kumaramatya. Council.Council.

City Administration:City Administration: Had their own Advisory Council.Had their own Advisory Council. Consisted of various representatives of Consisted of various representatives of

different localities.different localities.

Town Administration:Town Administration: Called Vithis.Called Vithis. Administration conducted by members Administration conducted by members

representing landed and military interests.representing landed and military interests.

Village Administration:Village Administration: Autonomous bodies.Autonomous bodies. Head of the village Gramika.Head of the village Gramika. Other officials.Other officials.

During the GuptaDuring the Gupta

empire, Indianempire, Indian

mathematiciansmathematicians

made great made great advances.advances.

They discoveredThey discovered

the concept of zerothe concept of zero

and the decimal and the decimal

system.system.

International Trade Routes during the

Guptas

International Trade Routes during the

Guptas

Extensive Trade:Extensive Trade:4c4c

Extensive Trade:Extensive Trade:4c4c

spices

spices

spicesspices

gold & gold &

ivoryivory

gold & gold & ivoryivory

rice & rice & wheatwheathorseshorses

cotton goods

cotton goods

cotton goods

cotton goodssilkssilks

KalidasaKalidasaKalidasaKalidasa

The greatest of Indian poets.The greatest of Indian poets.

His most famous play was His most famous play was ShakuntalaShakuntala..

During the reign of Chandra Gupta II. During the reign of Chandra Gupta II.

MedicineMedicineMedicineMedicine LiteratureLiteratureLiteratureLiterature

MathematicsMathematicsMathematicsMathematicsAstronomyAstronomyAstronomyAstronomy

PrintedPrintedmedicinal medicinal

guidesguides

1000 1000 diseasesdiseasesclassifiedclassified

PlasticPlasticSurgerySurgery

C-sectionsC-sectionsperformeperforme

dd

InoculatioInoculationsns

500 healing500 healingplants plants

identifiedidentified

DecimalDecimalSystemSystem

ConceptConceptof Zeroof Zero

PI = 3.1416PI = 3.1416

KalidasKalidasaa

SolarSolarCalendarCalendar

The The earthearth

is roundis round

GuptaGuptaIndiaIndia

Gupta Gupta AchievemeAchieveme

ntsnts

Gupta Gupta AchievemeAchieveme

ntsnts

The Decline of the The Decline of the GuptasGuptas

The Decline of the The Decline of the GuptasGuptas

Invasion of the White Huns in the 4c signaledInvasion of the White Huns in the 4c signaled the end of the Gupta Golden Age, even though the end of the Gupta Golden Age, even though at first, the Guptas defeated them. at first, the Guptas defeated them.

After the decline of the Gupta empire, northAfter the decline of the Gupta empire, north India broke into a number of separate Hindu India broke into a number of separate Hindu kingdoms and was not really unified again kingdoms and was not really unified again untiluntil the coming of the Muslims in the 7c. the coming of the Muslims in the 7c.

Gold Coins of GuptasGold Coins of Guptas

Gold coins contd….Gold coins contd….

Gold coins contd…………..Gold coins contd…………..

Trade routesTrade routes

Trade routesTrade routes

Trade RoutesTrade Routes

GuptGuptaa

ArtArt

GuptGuptaa

ArtArt

Greatly influenced Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & Southeast Asian art &

architecture.architecture.

Art and ArchitectureArt and Architecture

Ajanta cavesAjanta caves

Art and architecture Art and architecture contd………contd………

Art and architecture contd……..Art and architecture contd……..

Art and architecture contd…….Art and architecture contd…….

Art and Architecture Art and Architecture contd………contd………