GUPTA PERIOD

The Gupta Period  is often considered as the golden  era of Indian Culture and Heritage. Foundesd by Sri Gupta  the  domain of Gupta’s stretched across northern, central and parts of southern India between c. 320 and 550 CE. The period is noted for its achievements in the arts, architecture, sciences, religion, and philosophy.

KEY FEATURES

Governance

• They ruled over an extensive empire with their capital at Pataliputra and maintained unity and integrity  of
• The Gupta age witnessed political unification of India after long period of more than 500 years after the decline of Mauryans.
• The efficiency of their martial system was well known.
• The large kingdom was divided into smaller pradesha (provinces).

Economic prosperity

• Gupta age was full of economic prosperity.
•  According to Chinese traveller Fa-hien ,Magadha , the power centre of Gupta empire was full of  rich people and cities.
• In ancient India, the Guptas issued the largest number of gold coins called dinaras in their inscriptions.
• Gold and silver coins were issued in great numbers which is a general indicator of the health of the economy.
• Trade and commerce flourished both within the country and outside. Silk, cotton, spices, medicine, priceless gemstones, pearl, precious metal and steel were exported by sea.

Religion

• They were devout Vaishnava themselves, yet that did not prevent them from being tolerant towards the believers of Buddhism and Jainism.
• Advancement of Brahmanism led to the neglect of Buddhism and Jainism

Literature

• Poet and playwright Kalidasa created such epics as Abhijnanasakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram, Raghuvansha and Kumarsambhaba. Harishena composed Allahabad Prasasti, Sudraka wrote Mricchakatika, Vishakhadatta created Mudrarakshasa and Vishnusharma penned Panchatantra.

Science and Technology

• Varahamihira wrote Brihatsamhita and also contributed to the fields of astronomy and astrology.
• Aryabhata wrote Surya Siddhanta which covered several aspects of geometry, trigonometry and cosmology.
•  Shanku created texts about Geography.

Art and Architecture

• The Gupta age craftsmen distinguished themselves by their work in iron and bronze. For example, iron pillar found at Mehrauli in Delhi manufactured in the 4th century AD has not gathered any rust over the subsequent fifteen centuries which is a great tribute to the technological skill of the craftsmen.
• The finest examples of painting, sculpture and architecture of the period can be found in Ajanta, Ellora, Sarnath, Mathura, Anuradhapura and Sigiriya.
• Temple Architecture specially Nagara evolved during this period.

Law and justice

• The Gupta period is considered a milestone in the administration of law and justice. 
• There was a clear distinction between Civil Law and Criminal Law.
• The legal system in this era was derived from contemporary legal literature. For example, the Dharmasastras of Manu, Yajnavalkya, Narada, Brhaspati, and Katyayana were written during the Gupta period.
• The Civil law included the laws on marriage, inheritance and occupations, which were derived from the above smritis.
• Thus, the power to impose legal sanctions in the Gupta age derived from the scriptures, limiting the absolute power of the monarchy.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Caste System

• The caste system, or varna system, had become rigid
• Brahmins occupied the top position in society. The Brahmins received lavish gifts from rulers and other wealthy people.
• The practise of untouchability had begun

Family System

• In Hindu society, the joint family system was prevalent. Partitions were not permitted during the father's lifetime.
• Property ownership was vested in the father, but the rights of sons and brothers to the property were recognised as well. Adoption was not widely accepted.
• The family unit was governed by the head of the family. The male members of the family dominated the family and society.

Position of Women

• Women's Position deteriorated during the Gupta period.
• Women were not permitted to study religious texts such as the Puranas. The subjugation of women to men was highly institutionalised.
• Women were subordinate to men in society, but their role was no less important
• Marriages before puberty were common.
• Purdah had started among the upper castes
• Women were not allowed to own property, and anything she did own could be considered her husband and father's property.

Dress and Ornaments

• Males wore an upper garment and a lower dhoti, but the Scythians introduced coats, overcoats, and trousers, which were frequently worn by Indian kings. On special occasions, a headdress was worn.
• Women wore either a petticoat or a sari. A long sari had served both the purposes. A bodice was worn beneath the sari to cover the bust. Silk garments were worn on ceremonial occasions.

Education

• Education and learning were highly valued in Gupta society. During the Gupta period, education was provided by Brahmanical agraharas and Buddhist monasteries.
• However, no distinction was made between Buddhist and Hindu teachings. Members of the family provided primary education.
• Agraharas, or monasteries, provided formal and higher education. Varanasi, Nasik, and Kanchi were important Brahmanical learning centres
• The legendary Buddhist University of Nalanda provided outstanding education in various fields such as art, philosophy, grammar, humanities, and astrology.

DECLINE OF GUPTAS

• The Gupta fall began under the reign of Skandagupta. He was effective in retaliating against the Huns and the Pushyamitras, but his kingdom suffered a financial and resource drain as a result.
• Vishnugupta, who ruled from 540 to 550 AD, was the final recognized ruler of the Gupta line.
• Internal conflict and dissensions among the royal family weakened it.
• During the reign of a Gupta monarch, Budhagupta, the Vakataka ruler Narendrasena of western Deccan attacked Malwa, Mekala, and Kosala. Later, another Vakataka monarch, Harishena, defeated the Guptas in Malwa and Gujarat.
• The Huns attacked northwest India under Skandagupta's reign but were repelled. However, by the sixth century, they had taken over Malwa, Gujarat, Punjab, and Gandhara. The Hun invasion damaged the Gupta rule in India.
• Independent kings arose throughout the north, including Yasodharman of Malwa, the Maukharis of Uttar Pradesh, the Maitrakas of Saurashtra, and others in Bengal. The Gupta Empire was limited to Magadha
• The later Guptas' conversion to Buddhism rather than Hinduism, as opposed to their forefathers, damaged the empire. They were not concerned in empire-building or military conquests. 
• As a result of weak emperors and constant invasions from foreign and domestic powers, the Gupta Empire declined.
• By the early sixth century, the empire had collapsed and was controlled by a slew of provincial chieftains.