New Empires and Kingdoms (History handout)

The fourth century AD saw the rise of a new dynasty in India. This was the Gupta dynasty,
which was to dominate the history of India for the next two centuries.
SAMUDRAGUPTA
Samudragupta, son of Chandragupta I, was the greatest ruler of the Gupta dynasty. An
inscription engraved on a pillar at Allahabad popularly called the Allahabad Pillar Inscription,
is the main source of information on Samudragupta’s conquests. It was composed by
Samudragupta’s court poet, Harishena. It was a special kind of inscription known as prashasti,
a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘in praise of’.

SAMUDRAGUPTA’S PRASHASTI- The poet praised the king as a warrior, a king who won
victories in battles, who was learned and the best of poets. He is also described as equal to the
gods. The prashasti lists the rulers against whom Samudragupta waged campaigns. He also
revived the custom of ‘ashvamedha’ to assert his political supremacy. He was a tolerant ruler
and a great patron of art.

GENEALOGIES- Most prashastis also mention the ancestors of rulers. Samudragupta’s father,
Chandragupta I was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the grand title of maharaj-
adhiraj, a title that Samudragupta also used. Chandragupta II, son of Samudragupta got the
title of Vikramaditya.

HARSHAVARDHANA
While we can learn about the Gupta rulers from their inscriptions and coins, we can find out
about some from their biographies. Harshvardhana was one such ruler. There are two main
sources of Harsha’s reign. One is Harshacharita, the biography of Harsha written in Sanskrit,
by his court poet Banabhatta. The other source is the account of the Chinese pilgrim Xuan
Zang, who visited Harsha’s court, and left a detailed account of what he saw.
Harsha became king of Thanesar after both his father and elder brother died. He took over the
kingdom of Kannauj after the death of his brother-in-law, and conquered both Magadha and
Bengal. He tried to march into the Deccan but was stopped by the Chalukya ruler, Pulakeshin
II.
 PULAKESHIN II
The most important ruling dynasties in South India were The Pallavas and Chalukyas. They
frequently raided one another’s lands, especially attacking the capital cities Kanchipuram
( Pallavas) and Aihole (Chalukyas). The most important ruler of the Chalukya dynasty was
Pulakeshin II. His court poet Ravikirti composed a prashasti which provides information about
him.
According to Ravikirti, he led expeditions along both the west and the east coasts. He checked
the advance of Harshavardhana. He also attacked the Pallava ruler.
Changes in the Army:
Some of the kings continued to maintain a well organized army. A new trend also emerged
during this period. Some military leaders maintained an army and provided the army to the
king when required. Such military leaders did not get salary. But they got grants in the form of
land. They also got the right to collect land revenue. The revenue was utilized to maintain the
soldiers, horses and battle equipments. Such military leaders were known as samantas. When
a ruler became weak, the samantas tried to become independent.
Assemblies in the Southern Kingdoms:
The assembly of Brahmin landowners was called the Sabha. The sub-assemblies looked
after different aspects; like irrigation, road construction, farming operations, temple
construction, etc.
The assembly of non-Brahmin landowners was called the Ur. The organization of merchants
was called the Nagaram. Usually, these assemblies were controlled by rich merchants and
landowners. Such local assemblies survived for centuries in south India.
Find out answers on your own
1. Who was Samudragupta? Name his court poet.
2. How do we know about him? Where is this poem inscribed?
3. What were prashastis?                                                                
4. What does Samudragupta’s prashasti tell us?
5. Name the two authors who wrote about Harshavardhana.
6. Banabhatta wrote Harshavardhana’s biography. What is the name of this book?
7. In which language is Harshacharita written?
8. What happened when Harshavardhana tried to cross the Narmada?
9. Name the capital of the Pallavas.
10. Name the capital of the Chalukyas
11. Harishena held more than one office? Name them.
12. How do we know about the lives of ordinary people during this period?

Q1. How does Samudragupta’s prashasti describe him?

Ans: In Samudragupta’s prashasti the poet-praised him in glowing terms. According to this
prashasti, Samudragupta was a great warrior who won victories in battles. He was a learned
king and the best of poets. He was equal to the gods. He was a brave ruler of the Gupta
dynasty whose area of influence spread far and wide.

Q2. What do you know about Harshavardhana? Describe the main events of his career.

 Harshavardhana ruled nearly 1400 years ago.

 We come to know about him from his biography, written by his court poet Banabhatta.
This biography is known as Harshacharita which is in Sanskrit.
 Another source to know about him is Xuan Zang’s account which he left behind him.
 Harshavardhana became the ruler of Thanesar after both his father and elder brother
died.
 He took over the kingdom of Kanauj after his brother-in-law was killed by the ruler of
Bengal.
 Harsha led an army against the ruler of Bengal.
 He got success in the east and conquered both Magadha and Bengal. But he had to face
defeat when he tried to cross the Narmada.

Q3. Pulakeshin II was the best-known Chalukya ruler. Explain in brief.

Ans: We come to know about Pulakeshin II from a prashasti, composed by his court poet
Ravikirti. According to this prashasti, Pulakeshin got the kingdom from his uncle. He led
expeditions along both the west and the east coasts. Besides, he checked the advance of
Harshvardhana when he tried to cross the Narmada to march into the Deccan.

Q4. What was the condition of ordinary people in the kingdoms? Describe in brief.

Ans:  The condition of ordinary people has been highlighted in the plays and accounts left by
the foreign travellers especially the Chinese pilgrim such as Fa Xian.

 Kalidasa’s plays throw light on life in the king’s court. In his plays the king and most
Brahmins are shown speaking Sanskrit while women and men other, than the king and
Brahmins use Prakrit.

 The accounts of Fa Xian throw light on the plight of the untouchables. These
untouchables were treated badly by the powerful and influential people of the kingdom.
They were strictly instructed to live on the outskirts of the city.