Gupta Dynasty

The Gupta State was an ancient Indian empire that ruled from the early fourth to the late sixth centuries CE. It spanned much of the Indian subcontinent during its peak, from around 319 to 467 CE. Historians termed this dynasty as India's Golden Age.

Now a question arises who was the founder of the Gupta dynasty? The empire's reigning dynasty was created by King Sri Gupta, and the dynasty's most important monarchs were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II alias Vikramaditya.

Chandragupta I, the grandson of the king Sri Gupta is known as the founder of the dynasty, as he expanded the territory of Gupta in India and neighbouring countries. 

The Guptas are credited by the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa with conquering roughly twenty-one kingdoms, both inside and outside India, including the kingdoms of Parasikas, Hunas, Kambojas, tribes in the west and east Oxus valleys, Kinnaras, Kiratas, and others.

The significant cultural advancements that occurred predominantly under the reigns of Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, and Kumaragupta I are the high points of this time. During this time, many literary works were canonised, including the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Throughout the Gupta era, scholars like Kalidasa, Aryabhata, Varahamihira, and Vatsyayana made significant contributions to a variety of academic areas. Science and political administration reached unprecedented heights during the Gupta era. During this time, there were notable advances in building, sculpture, and art.

The article describes the rise and origin of the Gupta dynasty, the article also discusses questions like who was the founder of the Gupta dynasty? The Gupta Dynasty family tree and the Gupta administration are also discussed briefly within the article. 

The origins of the Gupta Dynasty

Before diving deep into the origins of the Gupta dynasty let us look into who was the founder of the Gupta dynasty? Although it is a common misconception that Chandragupta I was the founder, it is not true, he was one of the most prominent kings of the empire and worked towards the expansion of the kingdom but it was King Shri Gupta who originally laid the foundation of the empire. 

From around 320 to 550 CE, the Gupta Empire, founded by Maharaja Sri Gupta, was an ancient Indian monarchy that spanned much of the Indian Subcontinent. Gupta dominion began with a period of peace and prosperity defined by advances in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectics, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy while being strengthened by territorial expansion through battles.

The Gupta Empire was thought to be a dynasty of the Vaishya caste, which represents merchants and farmers and is the third of four Hindu classes. There are conflicting views about the Guptas' ancient homeland, which was founded by Sri Gupta between 240 and 280 CE. 

Sri Gupta and his son are thought to have been Kushan vassals, or monarchs who pledged loyalty to the Kushan Empire. Ghatotkacha, Sri Gupta's son and successor, governed from c. 280 to 319 CE, while Chandragupta, his son, ascended the throne around 319 and ruled till 335 CE.

During the Gupta period, the Puranas, a collection of religious literature sacred to both Hindu and Jain religious traditions and comprising of stories and genealogy of gods, folk tales, and customary lore, rose to prominence. 

While it is difficult to date the Puranas because they contain anonymous texts compiled over many centuries both before and after the Gupta period, depictions of Puranic episodes in art and architecture show that Puranic stories were a popular religious and cultural reference during the Gupta period. In his poetry and plays, Klidsa regularly referenced events from the Puranas.

The Guptas were ambitious monarchs who claimed control over a large region of northern India by the end of the fourth century. The capital of the Gupta dynasty was in Pataliputra, the same historical centre as the strong Mauryan empire (4th–2nd century B.C.E.) and the emperor Ashoka Maurya (4th–2nd century B.C.E.) (3rd century B.C.E.).

Since we have known the origins of the Gupta Dynasty, let us look into the Gupta dynasty family tree. A family tree is a diagram that is used to represent the ancestral history of an individual, community or population. A family tree, also known as a genealogy or pedigree chart, is a chart that depicts family relationships in the form of a traditional tree structure. The Gupta dynasty family tree will help in understanding the succession of rulers during this period. 

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The expansion of the Gupta dynasty

In 335 CE, Samudragupta succeeded his father, Chandragupta I, and ruled for 45 years. Early in his reign, he conquered the kingdoms of Ahichchhatra and Padmavati, then fought nearby tribes such as the Malwas, Yaudheyas, Arjunayanas, Maduras, and Abhiras. Samudragupta expanded the Gupta Empire from the Himalayas to the Narmada River in central India, and from the Brahmaputra River, which runs through four contemporary Asian states, to the Yamuna, the largest tributary of the Ganges River in northern India, by the time he died in 380 CE.

Samudragupta performed the regal Vedic ritual of Ashwamedha, or horse sacrifice, to commemorate his triumph. To celebrate the Ashvamedha, special coins were produced, and the monarch was given the title of Maharajadhiraja (or "King of Kings"), which was higher than the conventional ruler's title of Maharaja.

Samudragupta named his son, Prince Chandragupta II, son of Queen Dattadevi, as his successor, according to Gupta chronicles. Ramagupta, his eldest son, may have been his direct successor until Chandragupta II dethroned him in 380 CE.

Why Gupta period is known as the golden period of India?

Some early historians termed the Gupta period the "Golden Age of Indian Culture," crediting the Guptas for the huge quantity and high quality of art produced during that time. The phrase "Golden Age" was coined by these writers in response to their desire for an ideal or classical style of art (using ancient Greek art as an example), as well as their belief that art following the Gupta period was less classical and too decadent to be pleasant.

This Eurocentric perspective is challenged by the creative advances of regional kingdoms throughout the Gupta dynasty. The rock-cut temples at Ajanta and Elephanta, in the domains of the Vakataka and Kalachuri monarchs, respectively, are noteworthy examples of the Gupta period's richer and more sophisticated art history.

That is not to imply that the Gupta kings were not significant art and architecture benefactors. The Udayagiri rock-cut cave complex in Madhya Pradesh (a vast state in central India) is a unique structure with inscriptions indicating Gupta court support.

Nineteen of the site's twenty caves are dedicated to Hindu gods and originate from the fourth and fifth centuries, with one cave dating from the early fifth century and dedicated to the Jain religion.

Gupta Administration

Since we have understood about the Gupta dynasty family tree and the art and literature found during this period, which led to the phrase the golden period of India, we must look into the Gupta administration and policy that affected the lives of the ordinary citizens during that period. 

In the Gupta Empire, the king's administration was guided by a community and group that included a chief minister and a Senapati. "Rajya," "Rashtra," "Desha," "Mandala," "Prithvi," and "Avani" were some of the names given to the Empire. The Empire was made up of three provinces: Bhukti, Bhoga, and Pradesh.

Provinces were further divided into "Vishayas'' and placed under the administration of "Vishaya Patis." "Vishaya '' was divided into "Nagaras," which were subdivided further into villages. The character "Vithi'' appeared in the film "Vishaya." A group or cluster of settlements was given the titles "Pethaka'' and "Santaka." The village units "Agrahara '' and "Patta" were smaller.

The minister of foreign affairs was A Sandhi Vigraha. Inscriptions from the Gupta period mention them. Bhuktis were the names for provinces of the Gupta Empire. Provincial governors were known as Uparikas. The king maintained close ties with the regional government. Kumaramatyas and Ayuktas, a group of government officers.

Paramabhattaraka, Parameswara, Samrat, Chakravartin, and Maharajadhiraja were all titles given to Gupta monarchs. Vaishyas, or districts, were established in Bhuktis. The Gramikas were in charge of governing the villages. Nagara Sreshtis are the officers in charge of the city administration.

Land revenue was solely one of the main sources of income for the kingdom during the Gupta administration. It aided farmers in raising productivity and ensuring their safety. Wastelands were turned into productive land. Pasture land was also improved and made safer. There were also certain "Bhaga" income taxes levied on customs, inheritances, and gifts.

Decline and Fall of Gupta Dynasty

The Gupta Empire fell apart in 550 CE, after many years of power, due to invasions and weak leadership by successive kings. m During Emperor Chandragupta II's reign, the Gupta Empire excelled in military and geographical conquests, as well as cultural and scholarly accomplishments. However, subsequent emperors, beginning with Kumaragupta I and later Skandagupta, oversaw the Gupta Empire's eventual demise due to military setbacks, depreciated currency, and withering leadership.

Legacy of the Dynasty

Lastly, it’s important to understand the legacy of the dynasty in Indian history since we have learnt the origins from answering the question of who is the founder of the Gupta empire. It is only appropriate to understand the legacy of the kingdom.

Varahamihira and Aryabhata are two scholars from this time period. This period is also supposed to have produced Kalidasa, a famous playwright who penned plays like Shakuntala and marked the pinnacle of Sanskrit literature.

The Sushruta Samhita, a Sanskrit redaction treatise on all of the key concepts of ayurvedic medicine, comes from the Gupta period and includes unique chapters on surgery.

Chess is thought to have evolved around this time period, with its early form known as chaturanga in the 6th century. It consisted of infantry, cavalry, elephantry, and chariot, which were represented by the contemporary pawn, knight, bishop, and rook, respectively.

The Gupta empire was in decline by the end of the sixth century, hastened by military incursions and the loss of lands. Nonetheless, the formative innovations in art, architecture, and religious iconography during the Gupta period would have a lasting impact on South and Southeast Asian art and architecture.

In conclusion of the article, we have learnt about the origins, expansion and administration of the Gupta dynasty. We have also learnt why it was called the golden period of Indian history.