Jump to content

Gupta Empire: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverted edits by 66.76.67.66 to last version by 41.185.146.90 (GLOO)
←Replaced content with 'A'
Line 1: Line 1:
A
{{Infobox Former Country
|native_name = गुप्त राजवंश<br />''{{lang|inc-Latn|Gupta Rājavaṃśa}}''
|conventional_long_name = Gupta Empire
|common_name = Gupta Empire
|continent = Asia
|region = hmh
|country =
|era = Antiquity
|status =
|event_start =
|year_start = CE 320
|date_start =
|event1 =
|date_event1 =
|event_end =
|year_end = CE 600s
|date_end =
|p1 = Kanva dynasty
|flag_p1 =
|p2 = Kushan empire
|flag_p2 =
|s1 = Pala dynasty
|flag_s1 =
|image_flag =
|flag_type =
|image_coat =
|image_map = Gupta.png
|image_map_caption = Gupta Empire at its maximum extent (grey), and vassals (green).
|capital = [[Pataliputra]]
|common_languages = [[Sanskrit]]
|religion = [[Hinduism]]<br>[[Buddhism]]
|government_type = Monarchy
|leader1 = [[Maharaja Sri-Gupta|Sri-Gupta]]
|year_leader1 = 240s–280s
|leader2 = [[Chandragupta I]]
|year_leader2 = 319–335
|leader3 = [[Vishnugupta (Gupta Empire)|Vishnugupta]]
|year_leader3 = 540–550
|title_leader = [[Maharajadhiraja]]
|legislature =
|today = {{flag|India}}<br>{{flag|Pakistan}}<br>{{flag|Bangladesh}}<br>{{flag|Myanmar}}
}}
{{HistoryOfSouthAsia}}
The '''Gupta Empire''' ({{lang-sa|गुप्त राजवंश}}, ''{{IAST|Gupta Rājavaṃśa}}'') was an [[Ancient India (disambiguation)|Ancient India]]n empire which existed approximately from 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the [[Indian Subcontinent]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Gupta Dynasty – MSN Encarta <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761571624/gupta_dynasty.html|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwqOxl5F|archivedate=2009-10-31|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Founded by [[Maharaja Sri-Gupta]], the dynasty was the model of a ''classical civilization''.<ref>http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/ch28gup.htm</ref> The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors.<ref>http://historymedren.about.com/library/text/bltxtindia7.htm</ref> This period is called the [[Golden Age of India]]<ref>http://www.nupam.com/Sgupta1.html</ref> and was marked by extensive [[List of Indian inventions and discoveries|inventions and discoveries]] in [[Science and technology in ancient India|science, technology]], [[List of Indian inventions and discoveries|engineering]], [[Indian art|art]], [[dialectic#Indian continental debate: an intra- and inter-Dharmic dialectic|dialectic]], [[Indian literature|literature]], [[Indian logic|logic]], [[Indian mathematics|mathematics]], [[Indian astronomy|astronomy]], [[Indian religion|religion]] and [[Indian philosophy|philosophy]] that crystallized the elements of what is generally known as Hindu culture.<ref>http://www.wsu.edu:8001/~dee/ANCINDIA/GUPTA.HTM</ref> [[Chandragupta I]], [[Samudragupta]], and [[Chandragupta II]] were the most notable rulers of the Gupta dynasty.<ref>http://www.indianchild.com/gupta_empire.htm</ref>

The high points of this cultural creativity are magnificent architecture, sculptures and paintings.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/249590/Gupta-dynasty</ref> The Gupta period produced scholars such as [[Kalidasa]], [[Aryabhata]], [[Varahamihira]], [[Vishnu Sharma]], [[Vatsyayana]] and [[Prashastapada]] who made great advancements in many academic fields.<ref>Mahajan, V.D. (1960) ''Ancient India'', New Delhi: S. Chand, ISBN 81-219-0887-6, p.540</ref><ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/285248/1960/The-Gupta-empire-at-the-end-of-the-4th-century</ref> Science and political administration reached new heights during the Gupta era.<ref>http://www.historybits.com/gupta.htm</ref> Strong trade ties also made the region an important cultural center and set the region up as a base that would influence nearby kingdoms and regions in [[Burma]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Malay Archipelago]] and [[Indochina]].<ref>http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/gallery/photos/8.html</ref>

The earliest available [[Puranas]] are also thought to have been written around this period. The empire gradually declined because of many factors like the substantial loss of territory and imperial authority caused by their own erstwhile feudatories and the invasion by the [[Huna people|Huna]]s from Central Asia.<ref name="aa">Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). ''Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas'', Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0592-5, pp.264–9</ref> After the collapse of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century, India was again ruled by numerous regional kingdoms. A minor line of the Gupta clan continued to rule Magadha after the disintegration of the empire. These Guptas were ultimately ousted by the Vardhana king [[Harsha]], who established an empire in the first half of the 7th century.

==Origin of the Guptas==
{{Main|Origin of the Gupta dynasty}}
Specific details about the origin or social background of the Guptas are not yet available.<ref name="singh1">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Upinder|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century|year=2008|publisher=Pearson Education|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-317-1677-9|page=475}}</ref> [[Anant Sadashiv Altekar|A.S. Altekar]], regarded the [[caste]] of the Guptas as [[Vaishya]] on the basis of the ancient Indian texts on law, which prescribe the name-ending with Gupta for a member of the ''Vaishya'' caste, but this injunction was more often disregarded than followed. A modern historian, K.P. Jayaswal suggested that the Guptas were [[Jat people|Jats]]. His argument was based on the Pune and Riddhapura copper plate grants of Prabahvatigupta, the [[Vakataka]] regent and the daughter of Chandragupta II. In these two inscriptions, she states that she belonged to the ''Dharana'' [[gotra]] and as it was not her husband's gotra, it is the ''gotra'' of the Guptas. His view was endorsed by another modern historian, [[Dasharatha Sharma]], who added that the Jats of the ''Dharana'' gotra still exist in the present-day Rajasthan<ref name="a1">Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). ''Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas'', Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0592-5, pp.82–4</ref> Another modern historian, [[Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri|H.C. Raychaudhuri]], also accepted that the Guptas belonged to the ''Dharana'' gotra. He also believed that they were possibly related to Queen Dharini, the chief consort of [[Agnimitra]].<ref>Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). ''Political History of Ancient India'', Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.467ff</ref><ref name="m1">Mahajan, V.D. (1960) ''Ancient India'', New Delhi: S. Chand, ISBN 81-219-0887-6, p.474</ref> However, according to [[Dr. J.N. Singh Yadav|J. N. Singh Yadav]], ''Dharana'' gotra not only belongs to the Jats, it is also a prominent gotra of the [[Yadav]]s of the present-day [[Haryana]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Delhi]] and [[Rajasthan]] states.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=lXU_AAAAMAAJ&q=dharan+gotra+gupta&dq=dharan+gotra+gupta&hl=en&ei=oVvRTK79IMmecfW5qJkL&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEMQ6AEwBQ ''Yadavas of South India'', p.34, by J. N. Singh Yadav]</ref> But the basis of these arguments, the earlier accepted reading of the Riddhapura copper plate inscription may be incorrect and the correct reading possibly indicates that the family of Prabhavatigupta's mother, Kuberanaga belonged to this ''Dharana'' gotra. Recently, a historian, Ashvini Agarwal, on the basis of the matrimonial alliances of the Guptas with the orthodox Brahman dynasties, assumed that they belong to the [[Brahman]] caste.<ref name="a1"/> A number of modern scholars have also argued that Guptas were [[Kshatriyas]], mostly based on their matrimonial alliances with the Lichchhavis and Nagas, who are presumed to have been Kshatriyas.<ref name="singh1"/>
[[Image:MathuraBuddhaHead.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Head of a Buddha, Gupta period, 6th century.]]
Recent excavations in [[Nepal]] and [[Deccan]] have revealed that Gupta suffix was common among [[Abhira]] kings and a modern Historian D. R. Regmi linked the Imperial Guptas with [[Abhira-Guptas]] of Nepal.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=OPEcHLvf33YC&pg=PA75&lpg=PA75&dq=d+r+regmi+gupta&source=bl&ots=gNNHJ6BmYA&sig=K0bA6Pr0Z9ycEMIrstp_uffVgcw&hl=en&ei=8LFxS-2aDY-TkAXfouX7CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=d%20r%20regmi%20gupta&f=false ''Inscriptions of Ancient Nepal'', Volume 1 by D. R. Regmi, p.74]</ref> He pointed out that ''Lichchhavayah'', inscribed on the reverse of Samudragupta's coins is a plural term and cannot refer to Chandragupta I's Lichhavi queen, rather it is mentioned to pay allegiance to the Lichhavis of Nepal, whose feudatory, once Abhira-Guptas of Nepal were.

[[Fa Xian]] was the first of the [[China|Chinese]] pilgrims who visited India during the reign of [[Chandra Gupta]] II. He started his journey from China in 399 CE and reached India in 405 CE. During his stay in India up to 411 CE, he went on a pilgrimage to [[Mathura]], [[Kanauj]], [[Kapilavastu]], [[Kushinagar]], [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]], [[Pataliputra]], [[Varanasi|Kashi]] and [[Rajgriha]] and made careful observations about the empire's conditions. Fa Xian was pleased with the mildness of administration. The Penal Code was mild and offences were punished by fines only. From his accounts, the Gupta Empire was a prosperous period.

The [[China|Chinese]] traveler [[I Ching (monk)|Yijing]] (see also [[Xuanzang]]) provides more knowledge of the Gupta kingdom in [[Magadha]]. He came to north India in 672 CE and heard of [[Maharaja Sri-Gupta]], who built a temple for Chinese pilgrims near ''Mi-li-kia-si-kia-po-no'' (''Mrigasikhavana''). According to Yijing, this temple was "about 40 [[yojana]]s to the east of [[Nalanda]], following the course of the [[Ganga]]".<ref name="Raychaudhuri, H.C. 1972 pp.488">Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). ''Political History of Ancient India'', Calcutta: University of Calcutta, pp.488,488ff</ref>

==Srigupta and Ghatotkacha==
The most likely time for the reign of [[Maharaja Sri-Gupta|Sri Gupta]] is c. 240–280 CE. A number of modern historians, which include [[Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay]] and K. P. Jayaswal, think he and his son were possibly feudatories of the [[Kushan Empire|Kushans]].<ref name="a2">Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). ''Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas'', Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0592-5, pp.84–7</ref> His son and successor [[Ghatotkacha (Gupta Ruler)|Ghatotkacha]] ruled probably from c. 280–319 CE. In contrast to their successor, Chandragupta I, who is mentioned as ''Maharajadhiraja'', he and his son Ghatotkacha are referred to in inscriptions as ''Maharaja''.<ref name="m1"/> At the beginning of the 5th century the Guptas established and ruled a few small Hindu kingdoms in [[Magadha]] and around modern-day [[Bihar]].

==Chandragupta I==
{{Main|Chandragupta I}}
[[File:Queen Kumaradevi and King Chandragupta I on a coin of their son Samudragupta 350 380 CE.jpg|thumb|left|Queen Kumaradevi and King [[Chandragupta I]], depicted on a coin of their son [[Samudragupta]], 350–380 CE.]]
[[Ghatotkacha (Gupta Ruler)|Ghatotkacha]] (c. 280–319 CE), had a son named [[Chandra Gupta I|Chandra Gupta]] (not to be confused with [[Chandragupta Maurya]] (340–293 BCE), founder of the [[Mauryan Empire]].) In a breakthrough deal, Chandra Gupta was married to Kumaradevi, a [[Licchavi (clan)|Lichchhavi]] princess—the main power in Magadha. With a dowry of the kingdom of Magadha (capital [[Patna, India|Pataliputra]]) and an alliance with the Lichchhavis, Chandragupta set about expanding his power, conquering much of Magadha, [[Prayaga]] and [[Saketa]]. He established a realm stretching from the [[Ganges River]] to Prayaga (modern-day [[Allahabad]]) by 321 CE. He assumed the imperial title of ''Maharajadhiraja''.

==Samudragupta==
{{Main|Samudragupta}}
[[Image:SamudraguptaCoin.jpg|thumb|Coin of Samudragupta, with Garuda pillar. [[British Museum]].]]
[[Image:Ashvacoin.jpg|thumb|Gold coin of [[Samudragupta]] to commemorate the Ashvamedha ritual. Tethered horse and queen carrying ritual equipment.]]
[[Samudragupta]], ''Parakramanka'' succeeded his father in [[335]] CE, and ruled for about 45 years, till his death in [[380]] CE. He took the kingdoms of [[Ahichatra|Ahichchhatra]] and [[Padmavati]] early in his reign. He then attacked the [[Malwa]]s, the [[Yaudheyas]], the [[Arjunayanas]], the [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Maduras]] and the [[Abhiras]], all of which were tribes in the area. By his death in 380, he had incorporated over twenty kingdoms into his realm and his rule extended from the [[Himalayas]] to the river [[Narmada River|Narmada]] and from the [[Brahmaputra river|Brahmaputra]] to the [[Yamuna river|Yamuna]]. He gave himself the titles ''King of Kings'' and ''World Monarch''. Historian [[Vincent Smith]] described him as the "Indian Napoleon".<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Vincent A. |title=The Early History of India: From 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest|publisher=Atlantic|year=1999|pages=289|isbn=81-7156-618-9|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=8XXGhAL1WKcC&pg=PA289&dq=Indian+Napoleon+Vincent+Smith&ei=QXrBS8_eMqeCkAS86ui0CQ&cd=2#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> He performed ''Ashwamedha yajna'' (horse sacrifice) to underline the importance of his conquest. The stone replica of the sacrificial horse, then prepared, is in the Lucknow Museum. The Samudragupta Prashasti inscribed on the Ashokan Pillar, now in Akbar’s Fort at Allahabad, is an authentic record of his exploits and his sway over most of the continent.

Samudragupta was not only a talented military leader but also a great patron of art and literature. The important scholars present in his court were Harishena, Vasubandhu and [[Asanga]]. He was a poet and musician himself. He was a firm believer in [[Hinduism]] and is known to have worshipped Lord [[Vishnu]]. He was considerate of other religions and allowed [[Sri Lanka]]'s Buddhist king Sirimeghvanna to build a [[vihara|monastery]] at [[Bodh Gaya]]. That monastery was called by [[Xuanzang]] as the ''Mahabodhi Sangharama''.<ref name="m2">Mahajan, V.D. (1960) ''Ancient India'', New Delhi: S. Chand, ISBN 81-219-0887-6, p.487</ref> He provided a gold railing around the Bodhi Tree.

==Succession of Samudragupta==
According to [[Anant Sadashiv Altekar|A.S. Altekar]], a king named Ramagupta intervened between Samudragupta and Chandragupta II. His theory is based on a tradition that, Samudragupta's eldest son Ramagupta, who succeeded him, was a weak ruler. After suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Sakas, he agreed to surrender his wife Dhruvadevi or Dhurvasvamini to the [[Saka]] Chief (who, Altekar believes is Rudrasena II). But, Rama Gupta’s younger brother Chandra Gupta II, protested against this dishonour and went to the Saka camp disguised as the queen and assassinated the Saka Chief. After this he killed his brother Rama Gupta, married Dhruvadevi and ascended to the throne. But this theory is not supported by any contemporary epigraphic evidence. The earliest version of this narrative is found in the [[Harshacharita]] of [[Bana]]. The later versions are found in a number of texts, which include the extracts of the ''Devichandragupta'', a historical drama of [[Vishakhadatta]] found in the ''Natyadarpana'' of Ramachandra and Gunachandra and also in the ''Shringaraprakasha'' of [[Bhoja|Bhoja I]].<ref>Mahajan, V.D. (1960) ''Ancient India'', New Delhi: S. Chand, ISBN 81-219-0887-6, p.491</ref> The version of this narrative given by [[Bana]] in his [[Harshacharita]] differs significantly from all the later versions, even the narrative known to the author of the ''Kavyamimamsa'' (c.900). The ''Harshacharita'' only mentions that Chandragupta II, disguised as a female, destroyed a Saka king, who coveted the wife of another, in the very city of the enemy.<ref name="Raychaudhuri, H.C. 1972 pp.488"/> It does not mention anything about Ramagupta.

==Ramagupta==
{{Main|Ramagupta}}
Although, the narrative of the ''Devichandragupta'' is not supported by any contemporary epigraphical evidence, the historicity of Ramagupta is proved by his Durjanpur inscriptions on three Jaina images, where he is mentioned as the ''Maharajadhiraja''. A large number of his copper coins also have been found from the [[Eran]]-[[Vidisha]] region and classified in five distinct types, which include the ''Garuda'',<ref>{{cite book|last=Agarwal|first=Ashvini|title=Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|location=Delhi|year=1989|pages=153–9|isbn=81-208-0592-5|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=hRjC5IaJ2zcC&pg=PA153&lpg=PA153&dq=Rise+and+Fall+of+the+Imperial+Guptas+Ramagupta&source=bl&ots=nauVEtfyt9&sig=0WVouDJzLUzgzCDI5UolbkgUVHc&hl=en&ei=jZRaS5HQNYrm7APHrpQC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=&f=false}}</ref> ''Garudadhvaja'', ''lion'' and ''border legend'' types. The [[Brahmi]] legends on these coins are written in the early Gupta style.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bajpai|first=K.D.|title=Indian Numismatic Studies |publisher=Abhinav Publications|location=New Delhi|year=2004|pages=120–1|isbn=8170170354|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=chGrJUMarHoC&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=Bajpai+Gupta+coins+from+excavations&source=bl&ots=XI2ehseBfr&sig=BSvk92SDuSGywyMPTL3DQ9EnXD0&hl=en&ei=Mp5aS965CZPi7AO4tZjMCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Bajpai%20Gupta%20coins%20from%20excavations&f=false}}</ref>

==Chandragupta II==
{{Main|Chandragupta II}}
[[File:ChandraguptaIIOnHorse.jpg|thumb|left|Coin of [[Chandragupta II]].]]
According to the Gupta records, amongst his many sons,Samudragupta nominated prince Chandra Gupta II, born of queen Dattadevi, as his successor.

Chandra Gupta II, ''Vikramaditya'' (the Sun of Power), ruled from 380 until 413. Chandra Gupta II also married to a Kadamba princess of Kuntala region and a princess of Naga lineage (''Nāgakulotpannnā''), Kuberanaga. His daughter [[Prabhavatigupta]] from this Naga queen was married to [[Rudrasena II]], the [[Vakataka]] ruler of [[Deccan]].<ref>Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). ''Political History of Ancient India'', Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.489</ref> His son Kumaragupta I was married to Kadamba princess of karnatka region . Emperor Chandra Gupta II expanded his realm westwards, defeating the [[Saka]] [[Western Kshatrapas]] of [[Malwa]], [[Gujarat]] and [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] in a campaign lasting until 409, but with his main opponent [[Rudrasimha III]] defeated by 395, and crushing the Bengal (Vanga) chiefdoms. This extended his control from coast-to-coast, estabilshed a second capital at [[Ujjain]] and was the high point of the empire.

[[Image:ChandraguptaII.JPG|thumb|upright=1.5|Gold coins of [[Chandragupta II]].]]
[[Image:ChandraguptaII.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Silver coin of Chandragupta II, minted in his Western territories, in the style of the [[Western Satraps]].<br>''Obv:'' Bust of king, with corrupted Greek legend "OOIHU".<ref>"The conquest is indicated by the issue of the new Gupta silver coinage modelled on the previous Saka coinage showing on observe the King's head, Greek script, and dates as on Saka coins" in [http://books.google.com/books?id=pSKNeJsH7QgC&pg=PA511 ''Early history of Jammu region: pre-historic to 6th century A.D.'' by Raj Kumar p.511]</ref><ref>"Evidence of the conquest of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurastra]] during the reign of [[Chandragupta II]] is to be seen in his rare silver coins which are more directly imitated from those of the [[Western Satraps]]... they retain some traces of the old inscriptions in Greek characters, while on the reverse, they substitute the Gupta type (a peacock) for the [[chaitya]] with crescent and star." in Rapson "A catalogue of Indian coins in the British Museum. The Andhras etc...", p.cli</ref><br>''Rev:'' Legend in [[Brahmi]], "Chandragupta Vikramaditya, King of Kings, and a devotee of [[Vishnu]]" , around a peacock.<br> 15mm, 2.1&nbsp;grams. Mitchiner 4821–4823.]
Despite the creation of the empire through war, the reign is remembered for its very influential style of [[Hindu]] art, literature, culture and science, especially during the reign of Chandra Gupta II. Some excellent works of Hindu art such as the panels at the Dashavatara Temple in [[Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh|Deogarh]] serve to illustrate the magnificence of Gupta art. Above all it was the synthesis of elements that gave Gupta art its distinctive flavour. During this period, the Guptas were supportive of thriving [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] and [[Jain]] cultures as well, and for this reason there is also a long history of non-Hindu Gupta period art. In particular, Gupta period [[Buddhist art]] was to be influential in most of East and Southeast Asia. Much of advances was recorded by the Chinese scholar and traveller [[Faxian]] (Fa-hien) in his diary and published afterwards.

The court of Chandragupta was made even more illustrious by the fact that it was graced by the ''Navaratna'' (Nine Jewels), a group of nine who excelled in the literary arts. Amongst these men was the immortal Kalidasa whose works dwarfed the works of many other literary geniuses, not only in his own age but in the ages to come. Kalidasa was particularly known for his fine exploitation of the ''shringara'' (romantic) element in his verse.

===Chandra Gupta II's campaigns against Foreign Tribes===
4th century CE [[Sanskrit]] poet [[Kalidasa]], credits Chandragupta Vikramaditya with having conquered about twenty one kingdoms, both in and outside India. After finishing his campaign in the East and West India, Vikramaditya (Chandra Gupta II) proceeded northwards, subjugated the [[Parasika]]s ([[Persia]]ns), then the [[Huna people|Hunas]] and the [[Kambojas]] tribes located in the west and east [[Oxus]] valleys respectively. Thereafter, the king proceeds across the [[Himalaya]] and reduced the [[Kinnara Kingdom|Kinnaras]], [[Kiratas]] etc. and lands into India proper.<ref>Raghu Vamsa v 4.60–75</ref>

The ''Brihatkathamanjari'' of the [[Kashmir]]i writer Kshmendra states, king Vikramaditya (Chandra Gupta II) had ''"unburdened the sacred earth of the [[Barbarian]]s like the [[Sakas]], [[Mleccha]]s, [[Kambojas]], [[Yavana]]s, [[Tushara]]s, [[Parasika]]s, Hunas, etc. by annihilating these sinful [[Mleccha]]s completely"''.<ref>ata shrivikramadityo helya nirjitakhilah Mlechchana Kamboja. Yavanan neechan Hunan Sabarbran Tushara. Parsikaanshcha tayakatacharan vishrankhalan hatya bhrubhangamatreyanah bhuvo bharamavarayate (Brahata Katha, 10/1/285-86, Kshmendra).</ref><ref>Kathasritsagara 18.1.76–78</ref><ref>Cf:''"In the story contained in Kathasarit-sagara, king Vikarmaditya is said to have destroyed all the barbarous tribes such as the Kambojas, Yavanas, Hunas, Tokharas and the Persians "''(See: Ref: Reappraising the Gupta History, 1992, p 169, B. C. Chhabra, Sri Ram; Cf also: Vikrama Volume, 1948, p xxv, Vikramāditya Śakāri; cf: Anatomii͡a i fiziologii͡a selʹskokhozi͡a ĭstvennykh zhivotnykh, 1946, p 264, Arthur John Arberry, Louis Renou, B. K. Hindse, A. V. Leontovich, National Council of Teachers of English Committee on Recreational Reading – Sanskrit language.</ref>

==Kumaragupta I==
{{Main|Kumaragupta I}}
[[File:KumaraguptaFightingLion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Gold coin of [[Kumaragupta I]].]]
[[File:Kumaragupta.JPG|thumb|upright=1.5|Silver coin of the Gupta King [[Kumara Gupta I]] AD (414–455) (Coin of his Western territories, design derived from the [[Western Satraps]]).<br>
'''Obv''': Bust of king with crescents, with traces of corrupt Greek script.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=_mUg2BBJr7kC&pg=PA112 "Traces of corrupt Greek script are visible behind the head of the King" in Coin splendour: a journey into the past'' by Prasanna Rao Bandela p.112]</ref><ref>"Evidence of the conquest of Saurastra during the reign of [[Chandragupta II]] is to be see n in his rare silver coins which are more directly imitated from those of the [[Western Satraps]]... they retain some traces of the old inscriptions in Greek characters, while on the reverse, they substitute the Gupta type (a peacock) for the chaitya wit crescent and star." in Rapson "A catalogue of Indian coins in the British Museum. The Andhras etc...", p.cli</ref><br>
'''Rev''': [[Garuda]] standing facing with spread wings. Brahmi legend: ''Parama-bhagavata [[rajadhiraja]] Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya''.]]

Chandragupta II was succeeded by his second son [[Kumara Gupta I|Kumaragupta I]], born of ''Mahadevi'' Dhruvasvamini. Kumaragupta I assumed the title, ''Mahendraditya''.<ref>Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). ''Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas'', Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0592-5, pp.191–200</ref> He ruled until 455. Towards the end of his reign a tribe in the Narmada valley, the Pushyamitras, rose in power to threaten the empire.

==Skandagupta==
{{Main|Skandagupta}}
[[Skandagupta]], son and successor of Kumaragupta I is generally considered to be the last of the great Gupta rulers. He assumed the titles of ''Vikramaditya'' and ''Kramaditya''.<ref>Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). ''Political History of Ancient India'', Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.510</ref> He defeated the Pushyamitra threat, but then was faced with invading [[Hephthalite]]s or "White Huns", known in India as the [[Huna (people)|Huna]], from the northwest. He repulsed a ''Huna'' attack c. 455, But the expense of the wars drained the empire's resources and contributed to its decline. Skandagupta died in 467 and was succeeded by his agnate brother [[Purugupta]].<ref>Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). ''Political History of Ancient India'', Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.516</ref>

==''Huna'' invasion and the decline of the empire==
Skandagupta was followed by weak rulers [[Purugupta]] (467–473), [[Kumaragupta II]] (473–476), [[Budhagupta]] (476–495?), [[Narasimhagupta]], [[Kumaragupta III]], [[Vishnugupta]], [[Vainyagupta]] and [[Bhanugupta]]. In the 480's the [[Hephthalite]] King Oprah broke through the Gupta defenses in the northwest, and much of the empire in northwest was overrun by the ''Huna'' by 500. The empire disintegrated under the attacks of [[Toramana]] and his successor [[Mihirakula]]. The ''Hunas'' conquered several provinces of the empire, including [[Malwa]], [[Gujarat]] and [[Thanesar]]. It appears from inscriptions that the Guptas, although their power was much diminished, continued to resist the Hunas. Narasimhagupta formed an alliance with the independent kingdoms to drive the ''Huna'' from most of northern India by the 530's. The succession of the sixth-century Guptas is not entirely clear, but the tail end recognized ruler of the dynasty's main line was king [[Vishnugupta]], reigning from 540 to 550. In addition to the ''Huna'' invasion, the factors, which contribute to the decline of the empire include competition from the Vakatakas and the rise of Yashodharman in Malwa.<ref name="singh3">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Upinder|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century|year=2008|publisher=Pearson Education|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-317-1677-9|page=480}}</ref>

==Military organization==
The Imperial Guptas could have achieved their successes through force of arms with an efficient martial system. Historically, the best accounts of this comes not from the Hindus themselves but from Chinese and Western observers. However, a contemporary Indian document, regarded as a military classic of the time, the ''Siva-Dhanur-veda'', offers some insight into the military system of the Guptas.

The Guptas seem to have relied heavily on infantry archers, and the bow was one of the dominant weapons of their army. The Hindu version of the longbow was composed of metal, or more typically bamboo, and fired a long bamboo cane arrow with a metal head. Unlike the [[composite bow]]s of Western and Central Asian foes, bows of this design would be less prone to warping in the damp and moist conditions often prevalent to the region. The Indian longbow was reputedly a powerful weapon capable of great range and penetration and provided an effective counter to invading horse archers. Iron shafts were used against armored elephants and hippos, and fire arrows were also part of the bowmen's arsenal. India historically has had a prominent reputation for its [[Wootz steel|steel weapons]]. One of these was the steel bow. Due to its high [[tensile strength|tensility]], the steel bow was capable of long range and penetration of exceptionally thick armor. These were less common weapons than the bamboo design and found in the hands of noblemen rather than in the ranks. Archers were frequently protected by infantry equipped with shields, javelins, and longswords.

The Guptas also had knowledge of siegecraft, catapults, and other sophisticated war machines.

The Guptas apparently showed little predilection for using horse archers, despite the fact these warriors were a main component in the ranks of their Scythian, Parthian, and Hepthalite (''Huna'') enemies. However, the Gupta armies were probably better disciplined. Able commanders like Samudragupta and Chandragupta II would have likely understood the need for combined armed tactics and proper logistical organization. Gupta military success likely stemmed from the concerted use of elephants, armored cavalry, and foot archers in tandem against both Hindu kingdoms and foreign armies invading from the Northwest. The Guptas also maintained a navy, allowing them to control regional waters.

The collapse of the Gupta Empire in the face of the ''Huna'' onslaught was due not directly to the inherent defects of the Gupta army, which after all had initially defeated these people under Skandagupta. More likely, internal dissolution sapped the ability of the Guptas to resist foreign invasion, as was simultaneously occurring in Western Europe and China.

==Gupta administration==
A study of the epigraphical records of the Gupta empire shows that there was a hierarchy of administrative divisions from top to bottom. The empire was called by various names such as ''Rajya'', ''Rashtra'', ''Desha'', ''Mandala'', ''Prithvi'' and ''Avani''. It was divided in to 26 provinces, which were styled as ''[[Bhukti]]'', ''Pradesha'' and ''Bhoga''. Provinces were also divided into ''[[Vishaya]]s'' and put under the control of the ''Vishayapati''s. A ''Vishayapati'' administered the ''Vishaya'' with the help of the ''Adhikarana'' (council of representatives), which comprised four representatives: ''Nagarasreshesthi'', ''Sarthavaha'', ''Prathamakulika'' and ''Prathama Kayastha''. A part of the ''Vishaya'' was called ''Vithi''.<ref>Mahajan, V.D. (1960) ''Ancient India'', New Delhi: S. Chand, ISBN 81-219-0887-6, pp.530–1</ref>

==Legacy of the Gupta Empire==
[[Image:Indischer version3.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|The [[Ajanta]] paintings were made during the Gupta period]]
Scholars of this period include [[Varahamihira]] and [[Aryabhata]], who is believed to be the first to come up with the concept of [[zero]], postulated the theory that [[heliocentrism|the Earth moves round the Sun]], and studied [[Solar eclipse|solar]] and [[lunar eclipse|lunar]] [[eclipses]]. [[Kalidasa]], who was a great playwright, who wrote plays such as [[Shakuntala]], which is said to have inspired [[Goethe]], and marked the highest point of [[Sanskrit literature]] is also said to have belonged to this period.The famous [[Sushruta|Sushruta Samhita]], which is a Sanskrit redaction text on all of the major concepts of ayurvedic medicine with innovative chapters on surgery, dates to the Gupta period.

The flow of invasions from the Huns from central Asia aided in accelerating the demise of the glorious Gupta dynasty rule in India, although the effects of its fall was far less devastating than that of the Han or Roman at the same time. According to historian's work, {{cquote|The Gupta Empire is considered by many scholars to be the "classical age" of [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhist]] art and literature. The Rulers of the Gupta Empire were strong supporters of developments in the arts, architecture, science, and literature. The Gupta Empire circulated a large number of [[gold coin]]s, called [[dinar]]s, and supported the Universities of [[Nalanda]] and [[Vikramasila]].}}

[[Chess]] is said to have originated in this period,<ref>{{cite book
| author=[[Harold James Ruthven Murray|Murray, H.J.R.]]
| title=A History of Chess
| publisher=Benjamin Press (originally published by Oxford University Press)
| year=1913
| isbn=0-936317-01-9
| oclc=13472872
}}</ref> where its early form in the 6th century was known as [[chaturanga|''{{IAST|caturaṅga}}]]'', which translates as "four divisions [of the military]" – [[infantry]], [[cavalry]], [[war elephant|elephants]], and [[chariot]]ry – represented by the pieces that would evolve into the modern pawn, knight, bishop, and rook, respectively. Doctors also invented several medical instruments, and even performed operations. The [[Indian numerals]] which were the first [[positional]] [[base 10]] [[numeral systems]] in the world originated from Gupta India. The ancient Gupta text [[Kama Sutra]] is widely considered to be the standard work on [[human sexual behavior]] in Sanskrit literature written by the Indian scholar [[Vatsyayana]]. [[Aryabhata]], a noted mathematician-astronomer of the Gupta period proposed that the earth is not flat, but is instead round and rotates about its own axis. He also discovered that the Moon and planets shine by reflected sunlight. Instead of the prevailing cosmogony in which eclipses were caused by pseudo-planetary nodes [[Rahu]] and [[Ketu]], he explained eclipses in terms of shadows cast by and falling on Earth. These and the other scientific discoveries made by Indians during this period about gravity and the planets of the solar system spread throughout the world through trade.

==Gupta dynasty rulers==
The main branch of the Gupta dynasty ruled the Gupta Empire in [[India]], from around 320 to 550. This dynasty was founded by Srigupta. The rulers are:
* [[Srigupta]]
* [[Ghatotkacha (Gupta Ruler)|Ghatotkacha]]
* [[Chandragupta I]]
* [[Samudragupta]]
* [[Ramagupta]]
* [[Chandragupta II]]
* [[Kumara Gupta I|Kumaragupta I]]
* [[Skandagupta]]
* [[Purugupta]]
* [[Kumaragupta II]]
* [[Budhagupta]]
* [[Narasimhagupta|Narasimhagupta Baladitya]]
* [[Kumaragupta III]]
* [[Vishnugupta (Gupta Empire)|Vishnugupta]]
* [[Vainyagupta]]
* [[Bhanugupta]]

{{Start box}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Magadha|Magadha dynasties]]
| years = AD 240–550
| before = [[Kanva dynasty]]
| after = possibly [[Pala Empire|Pala dynasty]]
}}
{{End box}}

==See also==
* [[Indian numerals]]
* [[Chess]]
* [[Udayagiri Caves]]
* [[Vakataka dynasty]]
* [[Aulikaras]]

{{Middle kingdoms of India}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}

==References==
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Gupta}}
* Majumdar, R.C. (1977). ''Ancient India'', New Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 8120804368

==Further reading==
*Andrea Berens Karls & Mounir A. Farah. ''World History The Human Experience''.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Gupta Empire}}
* [http://www.flonnet.com/fl2422/stories/20071116504306400.htm Frontline Article on Gupta Period Art]
* [http://regentsprep.org/Regents/global/themes/goldenages/gupta.cfm Regents Prep:Global History:Golden Ages:Gupta Empire]
{{Empires}}

[[Category:Historical Hindu empires]]
[[Category:Empires and kingdoms of India]]
[[Category:Ancient India]]
[[Category:History of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:History of Bengal]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Former empires]]
[[Category:States and territories established in the 3rd century]]

[[ar:إمبراطورية جوبتا]]
[[an:Imperio Gupta]]
[[bn:গুপ্ত সাম্রাজ্য]]
[[zh-min-nan:Gupta Tè-kok]]
[[be:Імперыя Гупта]]
[[be-x-old:Імпэрыя Гупта]]
[[bs:Gupta carstvo]]
[[br:Impalaeriezh Gupta]]
[[bg:Гупта]]
[[ca:Imperi Gupta]]
[[cs:Guptovská říše]]
[[cy:Ymerodraeth y Gupta]]
[[de:Gupta-Reich]]
[[es:Imperio Gupta]]
[[eo:Gupta imperio]]
[[fa:امپراتوری گوپتا]]
[[hif:Gupta Samrajya]]
[[fr:Gupta]]
[[gl:Imperio Gupta]]
[[ko:굽타 왕조]]
[[hi:गुप्त राजवंश]]
[[hr:Carstvo Gupta]]
[[id:Kemaharajaan Gupta]]
[[is:Gupta-veldið]]
[[it:Impero Gupta]]
[[he:ממלכת גופטה]]
[[kn:ಗುಪ್ತ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ]]
[[kbd:Гупта империэ]]
[[ka:გუპტას იმპერია]]
[[la:Imperium Guptanum]]
[[lt:Guptų imperija]]
[[hu:Gupta Birodalom]]
[[ml:ഗുപ്ത സാമ്രാജ്യം]]
[[mr:गुप्त साम्राज्य]]
[[ms:Empayar Gupta]]
[[nl:Gupta's]]
[[new:गुप्त राजवंश]]
[[ja:グプタ朝]]
[[no:Guptariket]]
[[nn:Gupta]]
[[oc:Empèri Gupta]]
[[pnb:گپتا سلطنت]]
[[pl:Dynastia Guptów]]
[[pt:Dinastia Gupta]]
[[ro:Dinastia Gupta]]
[[rue:Держава Ґуптів]]
[[ru:Империя Гупта]]
[[sa:गुप्त-साम्राज्यम्]]
[[simple:Gupta Empire]]
[[sl:Guptski imperij]]
[[sr:Гупта царство]]
[[sh:Gupta Carstvo]]
[[fi:Gupta-valtakunta]]
[[sv:Guptariket]]
[[ta:குப்தப் பேரரசு]]
[[te:గుప్త సామ్రాజ్యము]]
[[th:จักรวรรดิคุปตะ]]
[[tr:Gupta İmparatorluğu]]
[[tk:Gupta imperiýasy]]
[[uk:Держава Гуптів]]
[[ur:گپتا سلطنت]]
[[vi:Đế quốc Gupta]]
[[war:Imperyo Gupta]]
[[zh-yue:笈多王朝]]
[[bat-smg:Guptu imperėjė]]
[[zh:笈多王朝]]

Revision as of 17:48, 31 March 2011

A

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gupta_Empire&oldid=421680967"