GUPTA EMPIRE

It existed from 320- 550 AD.

Gupta dynasty was of Vaish caste.

Caste systems exist in this period.

Gupta dynasty started by Sri Gupta, he ruled from 240 -280 CE. His son
Ghatoksha (280- 319 CE. ) was the next successor of this Empire.
Ghatoksha had a son named Chandragupta (I) (319-335 CE)

Emperors were called as Maharaja in this period. Ghatoksha and his son
Chandragupta both were called ” Maharajas”.

The Mahadhiraja title showed his impact on Empire of Gupta, and his
ruling over that time. The Gupta dynasty included Chandragupta (i)
Samudragupta,Chandragupta(ii), Kumargupta(i), Skandgupta, Purugupta,
Kumargupta(ii), Budhagupta, Narshimhagupta, Kumargupta(iii) and
Vishnugupta.

The main heroes of Gupta period were Chandragupta (i), Samudragupta,

Chandragupta (ii).Ads by Jagran.TV

The first most notable ruler was Chandragupta (i.):-

Chandragupta (I) Started with A.D 320,

 He strengthened his post and power by marriages alliances.  First
with Licchavi , then Kumardevi a princess of kingdom , in exchange
he got the kingdoms and security  for his empire as his dowry.
 The Maharauli inscription showed the conquest of him.
 He was the son of Ghatotkhsha.
 By 321 CE he expanded his dynasty from Magdha to Prayaga to
Saketa.
 He extended his area from the Ganga River to Prayaga.  
 Thus Chandragupta (1) gave his empire a solid foundation.

Samudragupta (330-380 AD) was the successor of Chandragupta (I).

 He was the powerful and great lord of Gupta dynasty.

 His conquest was shown by the Allahabaad pillar inscription.
 Samudragupta got the name of Indian Nepoleon due to his military
achievements.
 First he defeated the Achyuta and Nagasena and captured upper
Gangetic valley, then moved to south India and captured the
territories of 12 kings i.e. Swamidutta,Mahendra, Damana great
kings of south India empire.
  He just won the empire and returned it back to them to leave an
impact of his power on them.
 He again extended his dynasty to north India to other empires such
as Rudradeva, Nagadutta, Chandravarman like nine kings, most of
them from Naga empire.
 Lastly he performed an Ashwamedha yagya to stretch his dynasty
and power and he also issued silver and gold coin to show his
legend.
Chandragupta (ii) (380-415 AD) 
 He was the son of Samudragupta, he was called Vikramaditya .
 The greatest of the achievements of Chandragupta II was his war
against the Saka satraps of western India.
 Vakatakas occupied an important place in the Deccan .
 This marriage gave the useful alliances when Chandragupta
overtook the empire of Sakas.
 Rudrasimha last empire of Sakas was defeated by him and captured
all area of Malwa and Kathalawar Peninsula.
 After that victory he got his name as Vikaramaditya and his
Ashwamedha horse name Sakari means king of Sakas.
 Then Kumargupta came, the son of Chandragupta (ii) Nalanda
University that was laid by him only.
The Huns attacked the Gupta Empire at the time of Skandagupta- the
successor of Kumargupta and the last illustrious king of Gupta empire-
but were defeated.  After his death, none of his successor, Purugupta
(467-473 AD), Kumargupta II (473-479 AD), Budhagupta (476-495 AD),
Narshimhagupt, kumargupta III and Vishnugupta (540-550 AD) could not
save the Gupta Empire from Huns attack and the empire slowly
disintegrated.

The Gupta Dynasty came into power in 275 AD. Their origin is obscure.
The first two kings of this dynasty- Srigupta and Gatotkacha were
satisfied with the title of Maharaja.

Important Facts of Ancient India: Science & Technology

List of the Titles adopted by Gupta Kings
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Kings Titles
Srigupta Maharaja
Ghatotkacha Maharaja
Chandragupta I Maharaja Dhiraj
Samundragupta 1. Kaviraja (Prayag Prasasti)
2. Ashmedha – Prakraman Vikram
3. Param Bhagavat (Nalanda
Copper Plate);
4. Sarva-raj-och chetta i.e Uprooter
of all kings (on coins only ruler with
 this title)
5. Allahabad pillar inscriptions
mention the title ‘Dharma Prachar
Bandu’ that is he was upholder of
Brahmanical religion.
Chandragupta II 1. Vikramaditya
2. Sakari
Devagupta/Devashri/Devraja
3. Narendra Chandra Sinh Vikram
4. Param Bhagavata
Kumargupta Mahendraditya
Skandgupta 1. Vikramaditya
2. Kramaditya
3. Param Bhagvat
4. Shakropama
5. Devraja
The Gupta Kings well known for their adoption of pompous titles. Kingship
was hereditary but royal power was limited by the absence of
primogeniture which means throne did not always go to the eldest son.
The Guptas made munificent gifts to the brahamans, who expressed their
gratitude by comparing the king to different gods and also by giving
different titles.

The Economy during the Gupta period was moving from 18 sources or
types of Taxes levied on the people; the greater part of it was spent on
works of public welfare. Land revenue was the main source was generally
fixed at one-sixth of the produce.

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Types of Taxes levied during Gupta Period

Types of Taxes Description of Taxes
Kalpita/ Upkilpta Sales Tax and Purchase Tax
Halivakar/
Tax on Ploughing
Halidanda
An additional oppressive tax on
Bali
people
Prataya Toll Tax
Bhog King’s share of produce
Bhoga General Tribute
Combination of Bhog and
Bhag Bhagkar
Bhaga
Bhatta Police Tax
Chat Security Tax
Charasana Grazing Tax
Tax on special produce taken in
Hiranya
cash
Udakabhag Water Tax
Uparikar Tax collected from all subjects
Taradaya Tax on navigation
Rajju Tax for measurement of land
Sarvarishti Forced Tax
Bedakbhog Irrigation Tax
Uparnik Tax taken from border area
Agriculture was the prime source of income of the general public and
formed the significant part of the empire’s economy through taxation. The
State gathered abundant revenues in the form of custom duties and
service tax from the people who resided as well as came from outside the
state.

**

The Gupta Empire is referred to as the Golden Age of India because of the
extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering,
art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and
philosophy that illuminated the elements of Hindu Culture.

The Gupta Empire came into power in around 275 AD. It marked the end
of 500 hundred years of domination of the provincial powers and resulting
disquiet that began with the fall of the Mauryas.Ads by Jagran.TV

Dynastic History of Gupta Empire

Srigupta
• He founded the Gupta Dynasty in the 3rd century AD.
• He used the title of Maharaja.
Gatotkacha Gupta
• He succeeded Srigupta.

• He also took the title of Maharaja.

Chandra Gupta I (319-334 AD)

• He assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja’.
• He started the Gupta Era in 319 AD which marked the date of his
accession.
• He married Lichchavi princess Kumaradevi and started matrimonial
alliance that helps him to control the portion of Bihar and Nepal.

Samundra Gupta (335-380 AD)

• He has been called the “Indian Napoleon” by V.A Smith because of

his extensive military conquests.
• Virasen was his commander-in-chief during southern campaign
• Vasubandhu was his minister who was a famous Buddhist scholar.
• Eran inscription (Madhya Pradesh) is a useful source of information of
his campaign.
• He was devotee of Vishnu though a follower of the Brahmanical
religion. He granted permission to the Buddhist king
Meghavarman (King of Cylon) to build monasteries to Bodh Gaya.
• He assumed the titles of Vikramanka and Kaviraja.

Chandra Gupta II (380-412 AD)

• He is credited with the maintaining in his court nine gems (Navrantnas)

- Kalidas, Amarsinh, Dhanvantiri, Varahminhira, Vararuchi,
Ghatakarna, Kshapranak, Velabhatt and Shanku.
• Fa-hein visit India during his reign.
• Adopted the title of “Vikramaditya”.
• He was the first Gupta ruler who had started silver coin.
• The exploits of a king called Chandra are glorified in an iron pillar
inscription fixed near Qutub Minar in Delhi.
• Some historians put Ramagupta between Samundra Gupta and Chandra
Gupta II. In the play Devichandraguptam of Visakhdatta, Rama Gupta
was the elder brother of Chandra Gupta II.
• He rescued Druvadevi from the saka king and later marries her.

Kumara Gupta I (413-467 AD)

• He was the son of Dhruvadevi who extended the Gupta Empire from
North Bengal to Kathiawar and from the Himalayas to the Narmada.

• During his reign, Hunas invaded India.

• He founded Nalanda University.

Skanda Gupta (455-467 AD)

• He repulsed the ferocious Hunas attacks twice and his heroic feat
entitled him the title of ‘Vikaramaditya’ as inscribed on Bhitari Pillar
inscription.
• He was Vaishnava but followed the tolerant policy of his predecessors.

Administration of Gupta Empire

• All the power was concentrated with the king. Often an element of
divinity was attached to the kings.

• The king adopted the titles of such as Paramveshvara,

Maharajadhiraj and Parambhattaraka. Kingship was hereditary but
there was no a firm of primogeniture.
• The Gupta rulers has organised a huge army.

• Forced labour or Vishti was also practised in royal Army.

• The king acted as the fountainhead and decided all disputes in general,
punishments were light and mild.

• A council of ministers and civil officials assisted the king

• The most important officers in the Gupta Empire were

the Kumaramatyas.
• The royal seal bore the imprint of Garuda. Started in the Deccan by the
Satavahanas, the practice of granting land and fiscal administrative
concessions the priests and administrators became regular affairs in the
Gupta times.
• A new office of Sandhivigrhaka was created during Samundra Gupta
who was responsible for the peace and war. Harisena held this title.
Art and Architecture during the Gupta Empire
• Most remarkable was the Bhitari monolithic pillar of Skandagupta.
• Nagara and Dravidian styles of art came during this period.
• There was absence of growth of Gandhara style.
• But Mathura’s one pleasant standing Buddha statue shows a little
Greek style.
• The temple at Deogarh near Jhansi, the sculptures in the temple at
Garhwas (near Allahabad) was great source of showing effects of the
Gupta art.
• The unearthed statue of Buddha at Sarnath is a symbol of Gupta art.
• Most of the paintings are seen at Bagh caves near Gwalior which shows
the greatness and preciseness of Gupta art.

• The paintings of Ajantha mostly demonstrate the life of the

Buddha.
• Kalidasa was a great poet and play writer during Chandragupta II. His
master-piece was the Shakuntala. His other plays
are Malavikagnimitra ,Vikramorvasiya and Kumarasambhava. His
two lyrics are Ritusamhara and Meghaduta.
• During the Gupta period Metallurgy also made a wonderful impact. The
craftsmen were expert in their art of casting metal statues and
pillars.
• The most antique item in Sultanganj which is the huge copper
statue of Buddha. This is now kept at Birmingham museum, was of
seven and a half feet height and a ton weight. The Delhi Iron pillar of
the Gupta period is rust free even today.
• Chandragupta II and his successors also issued gold, silver and copper
coins.

• Samudragupta was a great poet. Samudragupta patronized Harisena.

Harisena was a one of the scholars.
• Dandin was the author of Kavyadarsa and Dasakumaracharita.
• Vasavadatta was written by Subhandhu.
• Visakadatta was other renowned author of this period. He was the
author of two drams: Mudrarakshasa and Devichandraguptam.
• The Panchatantra stories were composed by Vishnusarma during
the Gupta period.
• Sudraka was a renowned poet. He wrote his book Mrichchakatika.
• Bharavi’s Kritarjuniya is the story of discriminations between Arjuna
and Siva.
• The Buddhist author Amarasimha created Amarakosa.

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In Ancient India, the Gupta Dynasty ruled the mid-to-late 3rd century (approximately) to 543 AD.
Founded by Sri Gupta, the dynasty rose to fame with rulers like Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta,
etc. An important topic in the History syllabus, it is also important for the IAS Exam. This article
will provide you with useful notes on the Gupta Empire. These notes will also be useful for other
competitive exams like banking PO, SSC, state civil services exams, and so on.
Aspirants can also refer to articles related to the Gupta Empire from the links mentioned in the
table below:

Origin of Gupta Empire

The decline of the Mauryan empire resulted in the rise of two major political powers – the
Kushanas and the Satavahanas in the north and south respectively. Both these empires brought
political unity and economic growth in their respective areas. The Kushan reign in north India
came to an end around c.230 CE and then a good part of central India came under the domain of
the Murundas (possible kinsmen of the Kushanas). The Murundas ruled for only 25 – 30 years.
Around the last decade of the 3rd century CE (about  275 CE), the dynasty of the Guptas came
to power. The Gupta empire established its control over a good part of the former dominions of
both the Kushanas and the Satavahanas. The Guptas (possibly Vaishyas) kept northern India
politically united for more than a century (335 CE- 455 CE).

 The Guptas are believed to have been feudatories of the Kushanas.

 The original kingdom of the Guptas comprised Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with their centre
of power at Prayag (U.P).
 The Guptas set up their rule over the fertile plains of the Madhyadesha, also known
as Anuganga (the middle Gangetic basin), Saketa (U.P Ayodhya), Prayag (U.P)
and Magadha (mostly Bihar).
 The Guptas made good use of the iron ore reserves in central India and south Bihar and
also took advantage of their proximity to the areas in north India which carried on silk
trade with the Byzantine empire (eastern Roman empire).
 The Gupta period in ancient India is referred to as the “Golden Age” because of the
numerous achievements in the field of arts, literature, science and technology. It also
brought about the political unification of the subcontinent.
Gupta Empire – Kings
A brief about the kings of the Gupta dynasty is given in the table below:

Gupta Dynasty Kings Facts about Gupta Kings

Sri Gupta  Founder of Gupta Dynasty

 Reign from 240 CE to 280 CE
 Used the title of ‘Maharaja‘

Ghatotkacha  Son of Sri Gupta

 Took the title of ‘Maharaja‘

Chandragupta I  Reigned from 319 CE to 335/336 CE

 Started the Gupta Era
 He assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja‘
 Married Lichchavi princess Kumaradevi

Samudragupta  Reigned from 335/336 CE to 375 CE

 Called ‘Napolean of India’ by V.A. Smith (Irish Indologist and Art Historian)
 His campaigns are mentioned in the Eran inscription (Madhya Pradesh)

Chandragupta II  Reigned from 376-413/415 CE

 Navratnas (9 Gems in his Court)
 Took the title ‘Vikramaditya’

Kumaragupta I  Reigned from 415 CE to 455 CE

 Founded Nalanda University
 He was also called Shakraditya

Skandagupta  Reigned from 455 AD – 467 AD

 Was a ‘Vaishnavite‘
 Son of Kumaragupta
 Repulsed an attack by the Hunas but this strained his empire’s coffers

Vishnugupta  Last known ruler of the Gupta Dynasty (540 AD – 550 AD)

Gupta Empire – Chandragupta I (320 – 335 CE)

 Was the son of Ghatotkacha.

 Chandragupta Ⅰ is considered to be the founder of the Gupta Era which started with his
accession in 319 – 320 CE.
  He strengthened his position by a matrimonial alliance with the Lichchhavis (Nepal). He
married Kumaradevi, a princess of the Lichchhavi clan and this added to the power and
prestige of the Gupta family (Vaishyas).
 He extended his kingdom through conquests. His territory extended from the Ganges
River to Prayaga by 321 AD.
 He issued coins in the joint names of his queen and himself.
 He assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja (great king of kings).
 He was successful in building a small principality into a great kingdom.
 His empire consisted of Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and parts of modern Bihar, with
Pataliputra as its capital.
 He is considered the first great king of the Gupta Empire.

Gupta Empire – Samudragupta (c. 335/336 – 375 CE)

 The Gupta kingdom was enlarged enormously by Chandragupta Ⅰ’s son and
successor Samudragupta.
 The Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayaga – Prashasti) gives a detailed account of his
achievements. He followed the policy of war and conquest. This long inscription was
composed by his court poet, Harisena, in chaste Sanskrit. The inscription is engraved on
the same pillar that carries the inscription of peace-loving Ashoka.
 Much of the Indian subcontinent was directly or indirectly under his control – from
kingdoms in Nepal and Punjab in the north to the Pallava kingdom at Kanchipuram in the
southeast. The last vestiges of the Kushana rule, like the Shakas, the Murundas and
even the independent territory of Simhala (Sri Lanka) acknowledged his suzerainty. The
places and the territories conquered by Samudragupta can be divided into five groups:

 Group Ⅰ – Includes rulers of Ganga-Yamuna doab, who were defeated. He

uprooted nine Naga rulers and annexed their territories.
 Group Ⅱ – Includes rulers of the eastern Himalayan states and some frontier
states such as the princes of Nepal, Assam, Bengal, etc. who surrendered to his
might. It also includes parts of Punjab.
 Group Ⅲ – Includes the forest kingdom situated in the Vindhya region (central
India) known as atavika rajyas and forced their rulers into servitude. The
conquest of this region helped him to move towards the south. 
 Group Ⅳ – Includes twelve rulers of eastern Deccan and south India who were
defeated and his power reached as far as Kanchi (Tamil Nadu), where the
Pallavas were forced to recognise his suzerainty. It is important to mention
that Virasena was the commander of Samudragupta during his southern
campaign. In the south, he adopted the policy of political conciliation and
reinstated the defeated kings on their thrones. These states acknowledged his
suzerainty and paid him tributes and presents.
 Group Ⅴ – Includes the Shakas of western India and Kushana rulers of north-
west India and Afghanistan. Samudragupta swept them out of power.
Though he had spread his influence over a vast area, and even received tributes from many
kings of south-east Asia, Samudragupta exercised direct administrative control mainly
over the Indo-Gangetic basin. According to Chinese sources, Meghavarman, the ruler of
Sri Lanka, sent a missionary to Samudragupta for permission to build a Buddhist temple
at Bodh Gaya.
After conquering the territories, Samudragupta celebrated by performing
the asvamedha (horse sacrifice). He issued coins with the legend “restorer of the
 asvamedha”. It is because of his military achievements that Samudragupta was hailed as
the ‘Indian Napoleon’.
He was equally great in his personal accomplishments. The Allahabad Pillar Inscription
speaks of his magnanimity to his foes, his polished intellect, his poetic skills, and his
proficiency in music. He is known by the title Kaviraja (king among poets) because of his
ability in composing verses. His image depicting him with veena (lyre) is found in the
coins issued by him. He is also credited with promoting Sanskrit literature and learning,
characteristic of his dynasty.
He was an ardent follower of Vaishnavism but was tolerant of other religions. He showed a
keen interest in Buddhism and was the patron of the great Buddhist scholar Vasubandhu.
Legends on his coins include epithets such as Apratirathah (invincible), Vyaghra-
Parakramah (brave as a tiger), Parakramah (brave).

Gupta Empire – Chandragupta II (c. 376 – 413/415 CE)

 Samudragupta was succeeded by his son – Chandragupta Ⅱ. But according to some

scholars, the immediate successor was Ramagupta, the elder brother of Chandragupta
Ⅱ. But there is little historical proof for this.
 During Chandragupta Ⅱ’s reign, the Gupta dynasty reached its peak by expanding
territories through conquests as well as by marriage alliances. He married Kuberananga,
a Naga princess and had a daughter, Prabhavati with her. He married Prabhavati to a
Vakataka prince, Rudrasena Ⅱ (Deccan). After the death of her husband, Prabhavati
ruled the territory as regent to her minor sons with the help of her father. Thus
Chandragupta Ⅱ  indirectly controlled the Vakataka kingdom.
 Chandragupta Ⅱ’s control over the Vakataka kingdom in central India proved quite
advantageous for him. It helped him to conquer Gujarat and western Malwa, which was
under the rule of Shakas for about four centuries by that time. The Guptas reached the
western sea coast which was famous for trade and commerce. This contributed to the
prosperity of Malwa and its main city Ujjain, which was also Chandragupta Ⅱ’s second
capital.
 An Iron Pillar inscription at Mehrauli in Delhi indicates that his empire included
even north-western India and Bengal. He adopted the title ‘Vikramaditya’ (powerful as the
sun) and Simhavikrama.
 He issued gold coins (Dinara), silver coins and copper coins. On his coins, he is
mentioned as Chandra.
 During his reign, a Chinese traveller, Fa-Hien visited India and wrote a detailed account
about the life of its people.
 The Udaigiri cave inscriptions refer to his digvijaya, that is, his conquest of the whole
world.
 His court at Ujjain was adorned by nine famous scholars known as the Navratnas (nine
gems).

 Kalidasa – He wrote Abhijnashakuntalam, one of the best hundred literary works

in the world and also the earliest Indian work to be translated to European
languages.
 Amarasimha – His work Amarakosha is a vocabulary of Sanskrit roots,
homonyms and synonyms. It has three parts containing around ten thousand
words and is also known as Trikanda.
 Varahamihira – He wrote three important books-

 He composed Pancha Siddhantika, the five astronomical systems.

  His work Brihadsamhita is a great work in the Sanskrit language. It deals
with a variety of subjects like astronomy, astrology, geography,
architecture, weather, animals, marriage and omens.
 His Brihat Jataka is considered to be a standard work on astrology.
 Dhanvantri – He is considered to be the father of Ayurveda.
 Ghatakarapara – An expert in sculpture and architecture.
 Shanku – An architect who wrote the Shilpa Shastra.
 Kahapanaka – An astrologer who wrote Jyotishya Shastra.
 Vararuchi – Author of Prakrit Prakasha, the first grammar of the Prakrit
language.
 Vetala Bhatta – Author of  Mantrashastra and was a magician.

Kumaragupta Ⅰ (c. 415 – 455 CE)

 Kumaragupta Ⅰ was the son and successor of Chandragupta Ⅱ.

 Adopted the titles of ‘Shakraditya’ and ‘Mahendraditya’.
 Performed ‘asvamedha’ sacrifices.
 Most importantly, he laid the foundation of Nalanda University which emerged as an
institution of international reputation.
 At the end of his reign, peace did not prevail on the north-west frontier due to the
invasion of the Huns of Central Asia. After occupying Bactria, the Huns crossed the
Hindukush mountains, occupied Gandhara and entered India. Their first attack, during
Kumaragupta Ⅰ’s reign, was made unsuccessful by prince Skandagupta.
 The inscriptions of Kumaragupta Ⅰ’s reign are – Karandanda, Mandsor, Bilsad
inscription (oldest record of his reign)  and Damodar Copper Plate inscription.

Skandagupta (c. 455 – 467 CE)

 Adopted the title ‘Vikramaditya’.

 Junagarh/Girnar inscription of his reign reveals that his governor Parnadatta repaired the
Sudarshan lake.
 After Skandagupta’s death, many of his successors like Purugupta, Kumaragupta Ⅱ,
Buddhagupta, Narasimhagupta, Kumaragupta Ⅲ and Vishnugupta could not save the
Gupta empire from the Huns. Ultimately, the Gupta power totally disappeared due to a
variety of reasons.

Decline of Gupta Empire

The various reasons that led to the fall of the Gupta empire are discussed below:
Hun Invasion
The Gupta prince Skandagupta fought bravely and successfully against the early Huns’ invasion.
However, his successors proved to be weak and could not check the Huns’ invasion. The Huns
showed excellent horsemanship and were expert archers which helped them to attain success,
not only in Iran but also in India. In the latter half of the 5th century, the Hun chief
Toramana conquered large parts of western India, up to Eran near Bhopal in central India. By
485 CE, Huns had occupied Punjab, Rajasthan, Kashmir, eastern Malwa and a large part of
central India. Toramana (in 515 CE) was succeeded by his son Mihirkula, who was a tyrant ruler
as is mentioned in the Rajatarangini by Kalhana and Hieun-Tsang refers to him as a persecutor
of Buddhists. Mihirkula was defeated and the Huna power was overthrown by Yashodharman of
Malwa, Narasimha Gupta Baladitya of the Gupta empire and the Maukharis. However, this win
over Huns could not revive the Gupta empire.
Rise of Feudatories
The rise of feudatories was another factor that led to the fall of the Gupta empire. Yashodharman
of Malwa (belonged to the Aulikara feudatory family) after defeating Mihirkula successfully
challenged the authority of the Guptas and set up, in 532 CE, pillars of victory commemorating
his conquest of almost the whole of northern India. Although Yashodharman’s rule was short-
lived, it certainly gave a huge blow to the Gupta empire. The other feudatories too rose in
rebellion against the Guptas and ultimately became independent in Bihar, Bengal, Madhya
Pradesh, Valabhi, Gujarat, Malwa and so on. It is important to mention that after the reign of
Skandagupta (467 CE) hardly any coin or inscription has been found in western Malwa and
Saurashtra.
Economic decline
By the end of the 5th century, the Guptas had lost western India and this must have deprived the
Guptas of the rich revenues from trade and commerce and hence crippled them economically.
The economic decline of the Guptas is indicated by the gold coins of later Gupta rulers, which
have less percentage of gold metal. The practice of land grants for religious and other purposes
also reduced the revenues which resulted in economic instability.
Conclusion
The fall of the Gupta empire led to the emergence of numerous ruling dynasties in different parts
of northern India e.g, Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, Maukharies of Kannauj and the Maitrakas of
Valabhi. In peninsular India, the Chalukyas and the Pallavas emerged as the strong powers in
Deccan and northern Tamil Nadu respectively

Major Literary Works & Authors in Gupta Period

The Art and culture is an essential part of UPSC IAS Exam. The art and culture syllabus of
UPSC deals with various architectures, music, painting, sculpture, literature and etc. Here, in
this article IAS Exam aspirants can know the literature during the Gupta period, which is
important from prelims and mains exam perspective.
The Gupta period was known as the Golden period of India in cultural development. It is
considered as the one of the supreme and most outstanding times. Gupta Kings patronized the
Sanskrit literature. They generously helped Sanskrit scholars and poets. Eventually Sanskrit
language became the language of cultured and educated people.
Kalidasa

 He was a Classical Sanskrit writer, extensively considered as the greatest poet and dramatist
of Gupta Period.
 The six major works of Kalidasa are

 Abhijnanashakuntala
 Vikramorvashi
 Malavikagnimitra
 The epic poems Raghuvamsha
 Kumarasambhava
 Meghaduta
Vishakhadatta
The famous plays of Vishakhadatta are

 Mudrarakṣhasa
 Mudrarakshasha means “Ring of the Demon” and it recites the ascent of Chandragupta
Maurya to throne.
Shudraka

 He is a king as well as poet

 The famous three Sanskrit plays contributed by him are

 Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart)

 Vinavasavadatta
 A bhana (short one-act monologue)
 Padmaprabhritaka
Harisena

 Harisena was a panegyrist, Sanskrit poet, and government minister.

 He wrote poems praising the bravery of Samudra Gupta, which is engraved on Allahabad
pillar.
Bhasa

 He wrote 13 plays which echo the lifestyle of the Gupta Era along with its prevalent beliefs
and culture.
Bharavi

 He is known for Kiratarjuniya, which talks about the conversation of Shiva and
 Kiratarjuniya, an epic style Kavya is considered to be among the greatest works in Sanskrit.
Bhatti

 Bhaṭṭikāvya which is also known as Rāvaṇavadha was written by Bhatti.

Magha

 Sisupala was written by Magha in 7th century AD

 It is regarded as one of the Sanskrit Mahavakyas.
Dandin

 Kavyadarshana and Dasakumarcharita were the famous work written by Dandin.

 Dasakumarcharita ‘The Tale of the Ten Princes’ which represents the adventures of 10
princes.
Bhatrihari

 Bhatrihari was believed to be a King

 He wrote Nitishatak, which has 100 verses on philosophy and Vakyapadiya, a treatise on
Sanskrit Grammar.
Ishwar Krishna
  Sankyakarika was his major work.
 It was an observation on Samkhya Philosophy.
Vyasa

 Vyasa has written Vyasabhasya, it was a work on Yoga philosophy

Vatsyayana

 Vatsyayana was the author of Nyaya Sutra Bhashya and Kamasutra

 The Nyaya Sutra Bhashya is regarded as the first commentary on Gautama’s Nyaya Sutras.

Gupta Empire Literature

 Sanskrit literature flourished under the Guptas. Kalidasa, the great poet, and playwright
were in the court of Chandragupta Vikramaditya. He composed great epics such as
Abhijnanashaakuntalam, Kumarasambhavam, Malavikagnimitram, Ritusamharam,
Meghadootam, Vikramorvashiyam, and Raghuvamsham.
 The celebrated Sanskrit drama Mṛcchakatika was composed during this time. It is
attributed to Shudraka.
 Poet Harisena also adorned the court of Chandragupta Vikramaditya. He wrote the
Allahabad Prashasti (inscription).
 Vishnu Sharma of Panchatantra fame lived during this era.
 Amarasimha (grammarian and poet) composed a lexicon of Sanskrit, Amarakosha.
 Vishakhadatta composed Mudrarakshasa. Other grammarians who contributed to the
Sanskrit language include Vararuchi and Bhartrihari.
Know about poets in ancient India in the linked article.

Legacy of Gupta Empire – Sciences

 In the fields of science, mathematics and astronomy also, the Gupta age saw a lot of
interesting advancements.
 Aryabhatta, the great Indian mathematician and astronomer wrote Surya Siddhanta and
Aryabhattiya. Aryabhatta is believed to have conceptualised ‘zero’. He also gave the
value of Pi. He postulated that the earth is not flat and it rotated around its own axis and
also that it revolved around the sun. He also gave the distance between earth and sun
which is remarkably close to the actual value. He wrote on geometry, astronomy,
mathematics and trigonometry.
 The Indian number system with a base of 10 which is the present numeral system
evolved from scholars of this era.
 Varahamihira wrote Brihatsamhita. He was an astronomer and an astrologer.
 The Nalanda University, a centre of Buddhist and other learning attracted students from
abroad. The Guptas patronised this ancient seat of learning.
Learn about Buddhist and Jain architecture in India from the linked article.

Legacy of Gupta Empire – Art & Architecture

 Many magnificent temples, palaces, paintings and sculptures were created.

  Dashavatara Temple in Deogarh UP is one of the earliest surviving Hindu temples. It is a
fine example of Gupta architecture.
 Mural paintings of Ajanta depicting the life of the Buddha as told in the Jataka tales were
created in this period. Places like Ajanta, Ellora, Mathura, Sarnath; and Anuradhapura
and Sigiriya in Sri Lanka bear examples of Gupta art and architecture. (Know
about Mural Painting in India in the linked article.)
 Classical Indian music and dance took shape at this time.
 The Gupta legacy in arts can be seen in Southeast Asia also today.
 The Bronze Buddha which is 7.5 feet high and found at Sultanganj is a product of the
Gupta age.
 The iron pillar at Mehrauli, Delhi is a marvellous creation of this period. It is a 7 m long
pillar and it is made up of a composition of metals such that it is rust-free. This is a
testimony to the metallurgical skills of Indians of that time.
Get important art and culture notes for UPSC in the linked article.

Legacy of Gupta Empire – Social Culture & Religion

 The Hindu epics were given their final touches during this time. The Hindu religion also
received an impetus under the Guptas and it flourished and expanded throughout India.
 Although the Gupta kings were Vaishnavas they were tolerant of Buddhism and Jainism.
They patronized Buddhist art. (Learn the difference between Buddhism and Jainism from
the linked article.)
 The Shakti cult rose up around this time.
 Sacrifice was being replaced by Bhakti and Pooja.
 Occult practices like tantrism also emerged during this time.
 The game of chess is said to have originated from this time. It was called Chaturanga
meaning the four divisions (of the military such as infantry (pawn), cavalry (knight),
elephantry (bishop), and chariots (rook).

Decline of the Gupta Empire

 The Gupta decline started during the reign of Skandagupta, the grandson of
Chandragupta II. He was successful in retaliating against the Huns and the
Pushyamitras, but his empire was drained of finances and resources because of this.
 The last recognised king of the Gupta line was Vishnugupta who reigned from 540 to 550
AD.
 Internal fighting and dissensions among the royal family led to its weakening.
 During the reign of a Gupta king, Budhagupta, the Vakataka ruler Narendrasena of
western Deccan attacked Malwa, Mekala and Kosala. Later on, another Vakataka king
Harishena conquered Malwa and Gujarat from the Guptas.
 During Skandagupta’s reign, the Huns invaded northwest India but were restricted. But in
the sixth century, they occupied Malwa, Gujarat, Punjab and Gandhara. The Hun
invasion weakened the Gupta hold in the country.
 Independent rulers emerged all over the north like Yasodharman of Malwa, the
Maukharis of U.P., the Maitrakas in Saurashtra, and others in Bengal. The Gupta Empire
was restricted to Magadha only. (Yasodharman had joined forces with Narasimhagupta
to successfully retaliate against the Hun chief Mihirakula.)
 The later Guptas’ following of Buddhism rather than Hinduism unlike their ancestors also
weakened the empire. They did not focus on empire-building and military conquests.
(Read the difference between Buddhism and Hinduism in the linked article.)
  So weak rulers along with incessant invasions from foreign as well as native rulers
caused the decline of the Gupta Empire.
 By the beginning of the sixth century, the empire had disintegrated and was ruled by
many regional chieftains.

Caste and Genes Study By National Institute of Biomedical

Genomics (NIBMG)
National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG) in West Bengal had published a report
in the National Academy of Sciences Journal in 2016, on how genetic data helped scientists
to trace the emergence of rigid caste system to about 1,600 years ago during the Gupta period
when a lot of social transformations took place.

What were Some of the Major Findings of the Study Conducted by

NIBMG?
Some of the findings are given below.

1. Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class or social group.
Researchers in NIBMG found that transition from free intermarriage to endogamy took place
in India 1600 years ago i.e. 70 generations back.
2. The given time frame indicates that the transition took place during the times of Gupta
Dynasty. The Gupta Empire covered a major part of Indian Subcontinent with Pataliputra as
the capital.
3. Male members of Upper Caste communities have had off-spring with other communities,
but the reverse scenario was not found.

The Study also brings to light the complex ancestral lineages. The ancestry of India was not
unipolar; the four different types of lineages associated with mainland India are listed below.

1. Ancestral North Indians (ANI)

2. Ancestral South Indians (ASI)
3. Austro-Asiatic.
4. Tibeto-Burman (North-East India).

Which were the Samples used for Conducting the Research by NIBMG?
The samples used had variations in caste, linguistic and geographical locations. Upper caste
samples were collected from people belonging to states of Gujarat, West Bengal,
Maharashtra. Central and East Indian tribes chosen were Ho, Santhal and Birhor. The
Dravidian communities involved were Pallan, Irula. From Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Jarawa and Onge tribes were used for the study.

What is the Main Difference in the Study Concluded by Earlier Researchers

and Researchers from (NIBMG) on Ancestral Lineage of Mainland India?
The earlier studies by Indian and US scientists had indicated that Ancestral lineage of
Mainland India was divided into just two groups Ancestral North Indians (ANI) and
Ancestral South Indians (ASI). But the study conducted by NIBMG concluded that ancestral
lineage of Mainland India was divided into 4 groups. Apart from ANI and ASI, the two
additional groups are Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman.