Post Mauryan Empire
We have read about the great Mauryan Empire. Though it was a vast Empire spreading all over the Indian Subcontinent. But after the death of the Great Ashoka, there was no such great ruler. Because of which the Mauryan Empire started declining. Now, it is very simple to understand when the central power is weak then the state can become the victim of external invasion.
Now, it is very simple to understand when the central power is weak then the state can become the victim of external invasion. So, it was true in the case of Mauryan Empire too. As we know that the Mauryan Rulers were Kshatriyas. And due to the Golden age of Buddhism, Brahmanism was in tension during this time. So, as the Great Ashoka died, Brahmin rivals took this as the opportunity to rebuild their status in the society.
So, for this Southern Kingdom of Indian Subcontinent was of Brahmanical Religion. Satvahana were of the Brahmin origin. Though they were not hostile to the Buddhism. But they preached Brahmanical Religion. Satvahanas were the rulers of Southern India just after the demise of Mauryan Empire. Because northern India saw the external invasion.
So, after the Mauryan Empire, the Golden Age of the Ancient History was the Gupta Period.
Sources of Gupta Period
Scriptures related to Gupta Period
There are many sources for the Gupta Empire. The most relevant are as follows,
- Purana: The Vishnupurana refers three Gupta Kings Srigupta, Ghatotkacha Gupta and Chandragupta-I. It also states that Srigupta was the founder of Gupta Dynasty in north India.
- Nitishastra by Kamandak also gave pieces of evidence of Gupta Period. This book is equivalent to the Arthashastra of Kautilya.
- Devichandraguptam and Mudrarakshas of Vishakhadutta also give details of the religion of Gupta Period. In Gupta Period temple architecture was at its peak. Many temples of North India were built during this period. All the temples of North India follow Nagara Style of Architecture.
- Ravanbadh or Battikavya by Bhatti also mentions about the Gupta Empire.
Foreign Traveller’s Account
Fa-Hein (399-414 CE)
Fa-Hein the Chinese traveler came to visit the Indian Subcontinent during the reign of Chandragupta Vikramaditya. Chandragupta Vikramaditya was the third great ruler of the Gupta Empire. Fa-Hein gave a description of the exchange system during the Gupta Period. The currency by which the transactions were done was Kaudi. He also describes Chandals or Untouchable and their plight condition.
It-Sing (675 CE)
It-Sing too was the Chinese Traveller. He gave a description of Srigupta, the founder of the Gupta Empire.
Inscriptions related to Gupta Period
Allahabad Inscription
The Allahabad inscription gave the details of the Victory of Samudragupta. It is also called Prayag Prashasti. And the court poet Harisena describes his King in this Prashasti. This inscription is engraved in Ashokan Pillar at Allahabad.
Iron Pillar Inscription of Mehrauli
Virsen was the court poet of Chandragupta Vikramaditya. He wrote this inscription. He was a minister of war and peace at Vikramaditya’s reign.
Bhitari Inscription
It is the inscription of Skandagupta. It gives detail of Huna invasion during his reign. Indore Pillar inscription is also the inscription of Skandagupta.
Eran Inscription (510 CE)
The first-ever evidence of Sati was found during the Gupta period. Eran inscription is the first epigraphic-record of the Sati system. This inscription was during the age of Bhanugupta.
Golden Coins
Gupta Rulers had issued the highest number of Golden Coins in India. Though Kushana Rulers started the tradition of Golden coins. But the Gupta period saw the most of the Golden Coins. Chandragupta Vikramaditya also issued the first Silver coin among all Gupta Rulers.
Samudragupta issued 8types of coins. Lion, Ashwamedha Yajna was shown on the coins. Samudragupta was fond of playing the Veena. So, his picture of playing the Veena was also there on coins.
- Golden Coins: called as Nishka or Pala.
- Silver Coins: called Rupak, Satmana, and Pana depending on the value of the coin.
- Copper Coins: Kakini, Ksharpan.
However, the highest number of the remnant of coins of the Gupta Period was found in Bayana of Rajasthan.
Gupta Kings
According to Manusmriti and Vishnupurana Gupta were Vaishyas (traders). Actually, it has been seen that they were feudal of Kushanas. So, after the decline of Kushanas, the accession to the throne.
Though some historians also believe that Guptas were Kshatriya. Because of their matrimonial alliance with the Lichchhavi and Nagas. But it is rather an absurd thing to say that they were Kshatriyas because they had marriage relations with Kshatriya Clan. Because bureaucracy does not believe in the Caste System.
Well, some also believe that they were Brahmins. Because the Chandragupta Vikramaditya married her daughter with a Vakataka Prince, who was Brahmin. So, we do not need to dwell on this detail as it is not important. We are not going to make Biodata of these Kings. 😉 😛
So, we will study about the Gupta Kings as they were the Rulers during the Golden Age of Ancient India.
Emergence of Guptas
Empires of Satvahana and Kushanas came to an end in the middle of 3rd Century CE. So, the new dynasty emerged in north India and it was the Gupta Dynasty.
Allahabad Prashasti of Samudragupta mentioned that his predecessors were Srigupta, Ghatotkach, and Chandragupta-I. So, from here we can know that the Srigupta was the founder of the Gupta Dynasty and Ghatotkach was his successor. Though the foundation stone was laid by Srigupta. But it was the reign of Chandragupta-I during which, Guptas started flourishing.
Chandragupta-I
He adopted the title of Maharajadhiraja and issued Gold coins. He has done many marriage alliances because of which his Empire extended. Chandragupta and his Queen Kumaradevi (Lichchhavi Princess) engraved on the obverse and seated Goddess on the reverse side of a coin of Lichchhavi Republic.
Samudragupta: Napoleon of India
He was the greatest King of the Gupta period. Allahabad Prashasti gives a detailed account of the career and personality of Samudragupta. He adopted the policy of conquest and reinstatement with the Southern Rulers. Historian Vincent A. Smith gave him the name of Napoleon of India because of his conquests. He ruled over his kingdom by two methods.
Samudragupta also performed Ashwamedha Yajna and after this Yajna he adopted the title of Parakramanka. He was fond of writing poems. So, he also earned the title of Kaviraja.
The other important King was Chandragupta Vikramaditya. About him and other rulers, we will read in the upcoming post.
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