NATIONAL LAW INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY, BHOPAL

Session: 2019-2020
HISTORY-I
Trimester-V
Project on;
SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION IN GUPTA PERIOD

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

Prof.{ Dr}. Uday Pratap Singh Gaurav Singh
2018BALL.B34

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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that project titled “System of Administration in Gupta

Period”, has been prepared and submitted by Gaurav Singh currently pursuing
their B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) at National Law Institute University, Bhopal in
fulfillment of History-I course. It is also certified that this is their original
research project and this project has not been submitted to any other University,
nor published in any journal.

Date:
Signature of student: …………………………… ……………
Signature of research supervisor: …………………………….

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This project work has been done with a lot of efforts, I would like to thank all the
members who directly or indirectly helped in the completion of this project, and I
would like to thank our subject teacher Prof. [Dr.] Uday Pratap Singh, who
constantly helped me in the completion of this project, by her effective guidance,
I would also like to thank my friends who helped me in the completion of the
project, finally I would like to thank all the teaching and non-teaching staff,
without whom the project work wouldn’t have been completed.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction………………………………………………5
2. Sources of Gupta Period…………………………………6
3. Literary work of foreign author…………………………..9
4. Condition of northern India………………………………..9
5. Foundation of Gupta Empire………………………………12
6. India during the Gupta Era…………………………………16
7. King’s Council……………………………………………..21
8. Administrative System of Gupta Empire…………………..22
9. Culture and literature……………………………………….25
10.Decline of Gupta Empire……………………………………26
11.Conclusion…………………………………………………..26
12.Bibliography…………………………………………………27

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 INTRODUCTION

The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed from approximately 320 to
550 CE and covered much of the Indian subcontinent Founded by Maharaj Sri Gupta; the
dynasty was the model of a classical civilization. The peace and prosperity created under
the leadership of the Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors. This
period is called the Golden Age of India and was marked by extensive inventions and
discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic,
mathematics, astronomy, religion an d philosophy that crystallized the elements of what is
generally known as Hindu culture.
Chandra Gupta I, Samudra Gupta the Great, and Chandra Gupta II the Great were the most
notable rulers of the Gupta dynasty. The 4th century CE Sanskrit poet Kalidasa, credits
Guptas with having conquered about twenty one kingdoms, both in and outside India,
including the kingdoms of Parasikas (Persians), the Hunas, the Kambojas tribes located in
the west and east Oxus valleys, the Kinnaras, Kiratas etc.
The high points of this cultural creativity are magnificent architecture, sculptures and
paintings. The Gupta period produced scholars such as Kailas, Aryabhata,
Varahamihira, Vishnu Sharma and Vatsyayana who made great advancements in
many academic fields. Science and political administration reached new heights
during the Gupta era. 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, and Southeast Asia.

The Gupta Empire was a vast empire of north India, it was a peaceful time. In this time,
mathematics made great advances. The discovery of zero, infinity, decimal numbers, and
also pi. Advances in medical, astronomy, and science, lead to discoverers of seven planets,
and minor surgery, and theory of gravity, and figuring out that the planet was round not flat.
This time period was considered the golden age.
The earliest available Indian epics are also thought to have been written around this period.
The empire gradually declined because of many factors such as substantial loss of territory
and imperial authority caused by their own erstwhile feudatories and the invasion by
the Huna peoples from Central Asia. 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
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 clan continued to rule Magadha after the disintegration of the empire. These Guptas were
ultimately ousted by Vardhana ruler Harsha Vardhana, who established an empire in the
first half of the 7th century.
The two hundred years of Gupta rule may be said to mark the climax of Hindu imperial
tradition. From the point of view of literature, religion, art, architecture, commerce and
colonial development, this period is undoubtedly the most important in Indian history.

The Guptas inherited the administrative system of the earlier empires. The Mauryan
bureaucracy, already converted into a caste, had functioned with impartial loyalty under
succeeding empires. Under the Guptas we have direct allusions to viceroys, governors,
administrators of provinces, and of course to ministers of the imperial government.

SOURCES OF THE GUPTA PERIOD

(i) Literary Sources:

The ancient Indian literature was mostly religious in nature and contains no definite date for
events and kings e.g. The Puranas and the epics. Vedic literature has no trace of political
history but has reliable glimpses of culture and civilization of the age. The epicsLike
Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Jaina and Buddhist religious texts supply us with some
important historical material with doses of religious messages. Upanishadas: Main source of
Indian philosophy; also called "Vedantas"
Jaina Parisistapravana, Buddhist Dwipavamsa and Mahavamsa contain traditions which
supply us some historical materials. Gargi Samhita , a book on astronomy, the
grammer of Panini and Patanjali also contain materials that help us in the recontruction of the
history of the ancient period of India.1

From the second half of the ancient period of Indian history, there are not only panegyrics of
kings and emperors but also political treatises dealing with the principles of administration.
Kautilya's Arthasastra and Manusmriti may be mentioned in this connection. It was a work of
the Maurya period. Vishakhadatta's Mudrarakshasa gives a glimpse of Maurya society and

1
V.D. Mahajan,2005, pg no.466-70
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culture. Similarly, events of the Pushyamitra Sunga's reign are mentioned by Kalidasa in
Malvikagnimitram. Among the personal accounts of ancient period, Banabhatta's
Harshacharita dealing with the character and achievements of Harshvardhana as also history
of his times, Bakpatiraja's Gaudabaho describing how Yasovarman conquered Gauda deserves
special mention. Poet Bilhana described the history of the reign of Chalukya king
Vikramaditya VI in his Vikramanka Charita . Sandhyaakar Nandi's Ramacharita is a
description of the reign of Rampal, a king of the Pala dynasty of Bengal. Kalhana's
Rajatarangini is a valuable book on the history of the kings2of Kashmir. Likewise,
Padmagupta's Nabasahasanka Charita, Hem Chandra's Dwasraya Kavya , Nyaya Chandra's
Hammir Kavya , Ballal's Bhoja Prabandha contains important historical materials.

(ii) Archaeological Evidence

The archaeological evidence is obtained by the systematic and skilled examination of

building monuments, and work of art. The credit for excavating the pre-Aryan past goes to
Sir William Jones of Asiatic Society of Bengal (established on 1st January 1784). General Sir
Alexander Cunningham, one of its Royal Engineers, dugged out the ruins of ancient site of
pre-Aryan culture. From his arrival in India in 1831, Cunningham, the Father of Indian
Archaeology devoted every minute he could spare from his military duties to the study of
material remains of ancient India, until in 1862, the Indian government established the post
of Archaeological Surveyor, to which he was appointed. Until his retirement in 1885, he
devoted himself to the unraveling of India's past with complete single-heartedness.
In 1901, Lord Curzon revived and enlarged the Archaeological Survey and appoints John
Marshall its Director General. The discovery of India's oldest cities dating back to the
second Inter-Glacial period between 400,000 and 200,000 BC in 1921 by Daya Ram Shahni
was the biggest achievement of Archaeological Survey of India under Marshall, the first
relics of which were noticed by Cunningham. The cities discovered were named Harappa
and Mohenjo-Daro and the civilization as the Indus Valley Civilization.

(iii) Inscriptions

2
R. C. Majumdar, 2008, pg no.184

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Inscriptions are the most reliable evidence and their study is called epigraphy . These are
mostly carved on gold, silver, iron, copper, bronze plates or stone pillars, rocks temple walls
and bricks and are free from interpolations. Inscriptions again are mainly of three types:- royal
eulogy, official documents like royal rescripts, boundary marks, deeds, gift, etc. and private
records of votive, donative or dedicative type.
Inscriptions in Prakrit, Pali, Sanskrit, Telgu, Tamil and other languages have been discovered.
But most of the inscriptions are in Brahmi and Kharosti scripts.
James Prinsep, the Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal succeeded for the first time in
deciphering the Brahmi script. Among the inscriptions of ancient past, those of emperor
Ashoka are by far the best historical evidence about his reign. Inscriptions of Kharvela, king of
Kalinga, Saka rular Rudradamana, Allahabad Prasasti by Harisena, the court poet of
Samudragupta, are important evidences for the reconstruction of the history.
(iv) Coins

The study of coins is known as numismatics. Thousands of ancient Indian coins have been
discovered from which idea about the contemporary economic condition, currency system,
development of the metallurgical art has been obtained. The image of Samudragupta playing on
a lyre gives us an idea of his love of music. From the dates on the coins, it has been
possible to understand the contemporary political history.
Samudragupta's Aswamedha coins and Lion-slayer coins gives us an idea of his ambition and
love of hunting.
(v) Accounts of the Foreigners

A great deal of our knowledge of ancient Indian History is supplemented by the writing of
foreigners.3 The below table gives a brief survey of important literary works of foreign
scholars, mentioning the subjects their works deals with.

3
K. D. BAJPAI, 2008, PG NO. 144

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 Literary Works of Foreign Authors

Author Book Subject

Valuable information on administration

Magasthenes(G) Indica
and socio-economic of Mauryan India

Geographical treatise on India in 2nd

Ptolemy(G) Geography
Century AD

Accounts trade relations between Rome

Pliny(G) Naturakus Historia
and India in 1st Century AD

Records personal voyage of Indian coasts

Anonymous(G) Periplus of the Erythrean Sea
in 80 A.D.

Records the Gupta Empire in the 5th

Fa-Hien(C) Record of the Buddhist Countries
Century AD

Describes the social, economic and

Buddhist Records of the Western
Hiuen Tsang(C) religious conditions of India in the 5th
World
and 7th Century AD.

A record of the Buddhists religion

Studies the Gupta period under Sri Gupta
I-tsing(C) as practised in India and Malay
in the 7th Century AD.
Archipelago.

Hwuili(C) Life of Hiuen Tsang Accounts Hiuen Tsang's travel in India.

CONDITION OF NORTHERN INDIA BEFORE RISE OF THE GUPTAS

Before the rise of the Gupta dynasty, northern India was divided into number of small
monarchical Kingdoms and republics:
Monarchical kingdoms
It can be known from the puranas, the Nagas were very powerful in Vidisa, Kantipuri, Mathura
and Padmavati. The Nagas had spread in the different parts of the country. Sisha, Bhogin and
Sada-chandra Chandramsa were some of the famous rulers of the Naga dynasty of Vidisa. The
inscriptions refer Bhavanag. Some coins found at Padmavati mention his name. Allahabad
inscription of Samudragupta describes that Samudragupta had defeated the two Naga kings.
They were king Ganpati Nag and Nagasena. Some scholars are of the view that king Virsena
of Mathura was also a king of Naga dynasty. His coins have been discovered in Mathura,
Punjab and district Bulandshahr, etc.
Ahichattra kingdom
Bhadraghosa, Suryamitra, Phalgunimitra, Agnimitra, Brihatsvatimitra etc. were the kings of

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Ahichattra kingdom and the coins of the first three centuries of A.D. refer to these kings as well.
Some of the coins refer the name of Achyuttra who was defeated by Samudragupta.
Vakataka kingdom
Vindhyasakti is said to be the founder of Vakataka dynasty. But some scholars are of the view
that it was Paravarsena who founded the Vakataka dynasty. He was a powerful king and
performed four horse sacrifices and adopted the title of `samrat`. He was succeeded by his son
Rudrasena. Samudragupta defeated Rudrasena and incorporated his kingdom into his empire.
Ayodhya kingdom
From certain coins it can be known that Dhandeva and Vishakhadeva were the ruler of Ayodhya.
Dhandeva was probably the descendent or Pushyamitra. Satyamitra, Ayumitra, Sanghmitra were
some of the other rulers of Ayodhya.
The Maukhari kingdom
Sunderverman was the king of Maukhari dynasty and ruled in Oudh. The Maukhari
Senapatis are given the credit of constructing sacrificial pillars.
Kaushambi kingdom
Certain coins refer to Sudeva, Brihatsvamitra, Asvaghosa, Agnimitra, Devamitra,
Varunmitra, Jyeshthmitra and Partapatimitra as the ruler of Kaushambi.
The Guptas
Before conquering the whole of northern India, the Guptas were also a local power.
Srigupta is regarded the founder of the Gupta dynasty. Srigupta was succeeded by
Ghatokacha. After Ghatotkacha, Chandra Gupta I succeeded him as a king. In Chandra
Gupta`s reign the growth of the Gupta empire begins in rapid strides.4
The Arjunayans
The Arjunayans ruled in the modern Bharatpur and Alwar states in Rajasthan. They had
become prominent during the reign of the indo Greek kings but after them the Sakas
subdued them. Thereafter, they again rose after the decline of the Kushanas but were
ultimately defeated by the Guptas as well.

The Yaudheyas
The Yaudheyas had established their rule in the east Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and parts of

4
V. D. Mahajan, 2005,pg no. 525

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Rajasthan. They were the worshipper of Brahmandeva. The Sakas and the Kushanas had subdued
them but after their fall they again came into prominence. They were ultimately subdued by the
Guptas.
The Malavas
The Malavas ruled in Punjab at the time of Alexander`s invasion but later on they settled in
Rajasthan and made Malavnagar near Jaipur as their capital. The Malva coins refer to the
legend `Malavanam jayah`. They are said to be the first to use vikram era. They also used the
Krita era. They had defeated the Sakas and the Mankhari Senapati was their vassal.
However, they were also subdued by the Guptas.
The Lichchhavis
This was a very old republic. It existed in the time of lord Buddha and was a very strong
republic before the rise of the Guptas. This is born by the fact that Chandra Gupta I had
married a Lichchhavis princess.
The Sibis
They had a very big infantry and were a strong power at the time of the Alexander`s invasion.
Later on they settled in Rajasthan and made Madhyamika as their capital. This Madhyamika
was placed near Chitod.
The republic of Kunindas
This republic was between the Yamuna and the Sutlej and the upper courses of the Bias and
probably Chatra was their capital.
The Kulutas
The Kulutas lived in the valley of Kabul and were successful in overthrowing the Kunindas.
Virayasas and Bhadrayasas were their famous rulers.
The Audumbaras
The Audumbaras were placed in the eastern part of Kangra, Gurdaspura and Hoshiarpura.
Dharaghosa, Sivadas and Rudradasa were some of their famous rulers. Their coins have the
figure of a Siva temple with a Dhavaja, a trident and a battle area. Some of the names of the
Audumbara rulers can be mentioned as Agnimitra, Mahimitra, Bhumitra and Mahabumitra. Their
names were mentioned in the coins.

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 FOUNDATION OF GUPTA EMPIRE
The Guptas were famous rulers of ancient India, who constructed their own imperialism and
introduced the Golden era in India. After the lapse of a prolonged Dark Age, it was the
Guptas who initiated peace and coalesced the entire disintegrated Northern India. The
Gupta rulers ascended the throne in 320 A.D. and continued to be the sovereign authority of
India till 550 A.D. When the Guptas came into the political scenario of India, the condition
of entire North India was pretty lawless and due to lack of any central authority the
provincial governors unfurled their flag of independence after the downfall of the
Kushanas. Furthermore they were at continuous strife with one another for which the socio-
political condition of Northern India was extremely chaotic. During that time the Guptas
and the Kshatriyas rose to power, which not only defeated the provincial kings, but also
compelled them to offer their allegiance to the Guptas. In such a manner, the Guptas
consolidated the entire northern India under their own supremacy.

The Gupta records mentioned the names of the first three rulers of the Gupta lineage who
ascended the throne, namely Maharaja Sari Gupta, his son Maharaja Sri Ghatotkacha and
the latter`s son Maharajadhiraja Chandragupta. Though Maharaja Sri Gupta was the founder
king of the Gupta dynasty and established dynastic stronghold in Northern India, yet the
third ruler Maharajadhiraja Chandragupta I was more powerful and famous than his
predecessors. However historians have pointed out unanimously that the first two Gupta
kings had used the title of "Maharaja", only the third king Chandragupta I initiated the
status of Maharajadhiraja. From the Gupta records of 4th century it is known that the title
"Maharaja" only was ascribed to subordinate kings under the Central authority during that
time and the title "Maharajadhiraja" was used by an independent king. Hence from these
records it was presumed by the scholars that the first two Gupta rulers appeared to be
feudatories, but their authority is still unknown. Though K.P. Jaiswal has pointed out that
the Guptas were feudatories under the Bharasivas, the theory was discarded due to lack of
any supportive evidence. Dr. S. Chattopadhya has however pointed out that after the
downfall of the Kushanas, the Saka Murandas occupied Magadha and the Guptas acted as
their vassals. Finally Chandragupta I liberated Magadha from the Sakas or the Scythians
and established himself as the independent king of the Gupta Dynasty and used the title
"Maharajadhiraja". However the feudatory status of the Guptas and the Scythian suzerainty
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 over them is a subject of doubt, because conclusive proofs are yet unavailable. Allan, one of
the famous interpreters of ancient history has inferred that the title "maharaja" was not
always ascribed to the feudatories. He also adds that the title Maharaja was used by many
independent rulers belonging to the tribes like Bharasiva, Magha, Licchavi, and Vakataka.
Hence it is not unlikely that the early Guptas also used the same title as independent
provincial kings.
Not much is known about Maharaja Sri Gupta, the founder king of the Gupta dynasty in
ancient India. Knowledge about Maharaja Sri-Gupta is limited to the accounts of the
Chinese traveller I-Tsing,5 who visited the court of Maharaja Sri Gupta. I-Tsing in his
historical documents had mentioned that the extent of the Gupta Empire was too small
when the founder king of Gupta dynasty, Maharaja Sri Gupta ascended the throne. It
comprised the areas of Bengal and some parts of Bihar. A patron of the Buddhist cult,
Maharaja Sri Gupta, constructed a temple for the Chinese pilgrims near Mrigashikhavana,
close to Varendri or Varendra bhumi in Bengal and also granted twenty-four villages for its
maintenance. Maharaja Sri Gupta reigned probably from 275 to 300 A.D.

Maharaja Ghatotkacha succeeded his father, King Maharaja Sri Gupta to power.
According to Vakataka records of Prabhabati Gupta, the daughter of Chandragupta II
described Maharaja Ghatotkacha as the founder of Gupta Dynasty in ancient India.
However there is no conclusive proofs or supportive evidences about the Vakataka
records. Moreover it provided ambiguous documentations, hence in the later years
historians discarded the confirmation of the Vakataka records. The Rewa inscription of
Skandagupta also recorded the genealogy of the Gupta rulers, where the name of Maharaja
Sri Gupta was not mentioned. However Dr. Majumdar has pointed out that one of these
records is the official Gupta record, hence much importance should not be attached to the
omission of the name of Maharaja Sri Gupta as the founder king of the Gupta Dynasty.
However Maharaja Ghatotkacha was regarded a powerful ruler of the Gupta Dynasty.
Allan has pointed out that the Gupta Dynastic inscription mentioned him as
"Ghatotkacha" and not Ghatotkacha Gupta. Furthermore he adds that Ghatotkacha was
also identified as "Kacha". The coins issued in the name of "Kacha" were ascribed to the

5
K. D. Bajpai, 2004, pg no. 543

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second Gupta ruler, Maharaja Ghatotkacha. Historians have fixed his date between 300
and 320 A.D., after a prolonged research.
The second Gupta ruler, Ghatotkacha was succeeded by his son Chandragupta I. He not
only inherited the throne of his father, one of the powerful rulers of Gupta Dynasty, but at
the same time brought Gupta dynasty in the limelight of ancient history, by unveiling the
obscurity, which covered the contemporary political scenario after the Dark Age. The
emergence of Gupta Dynasty under him as a superior power, is evident from his adoption of
the title "Maharajadhiraja". As historical records suggest, the third king of the Gupta
Dynasty, Maharajadhiraja Chandragupta I was not only a powerful king, but at the same
time was a shrewd diplomat. To augment the power of Gupta house he not only subdued the
provincial kings, but also established marital relationship with some of the tribes, in order
to strengthen the authority of the Gupta Empire. It is for this reason Chandragupta I married
the Licchavi princess Mahadevi Kumaradevi. Some of the coins of Chandragupta I bore
images of the Maharajadhiraja and his Licchavi queen Mahadevi Kumaradevi on one side
and the figure of goddess Lakshmi on the reverse.

The matrimonial alliance of Chandragupta I with the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, is a

subject of keen controversy among the scholars. Matrimonial alliance between royal
families for political purposes was prevalent in all times, in all countries, for all ages,
especially in India. Therefore, historians hold that the Licchavi marriage of Chandragupta I
had immensely increased his power. Since the Licchavis were extremely powerful warrior
tribes, Chandragupta did not find it wise enough to wage a war against them. But he
decided to establish friendly relations with the Licchavis, to enhance the strength of the
Gupta Empire. But scholars differ widely about the nature and extent of power of
Chandragupta I, acquired by his alliance with the Licchavis. Allan has suggested that by
matrimonial alliance, the Guptas succeeded the prestige and pedigree in the ancient line of
the Licchavis, but did not gain any material power. Romila Thapar supported the view of
Allan and endorsed the fact by pointing that the Guptas perhaps did not have any royal
origin. But Dr. Majumdar has refuted the views of Allan by saying that the Licchavis did
not enjoy any status in the contemporary society. Hence the matrimonial alliance of
Chandragupta I could not enhance the pedigree of the Guptas. Moreover "Manu Samhita "
denoted the Licchavis as the "degraded Kshatriyas". Allan has further pointed out that after
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matrimonial alliance; the kingdom of Vaishali ruled by the Licchavis was annexed with the
Gupta Empire. But later historians contradicted the view. This is so because the name
Vaishali was not mentioned in the list of territories ruled by Samudragupta. Hence if it
were included in his father`s kingdom, then unquestionably Vaishali would have been part
of Samudragupta`s kingdom. Hence according to modern historians, though Chandragupta
I engaged in matrimonial alliance with the Licchavis, yet, the kingdom of Vaishali was
ruled by the Licchavis independently. However it is generally believed that the alliance of
the Guptas with the Licchavis had strengthened the Gupta supremacy in ancient India.
Almost nothing is known about the conquest of the third Gupta ruler Maharajadhiraja
Chandragupta I. Professor R.D. Bannerjee has suggested that- strengthened by the Licchavi
alliance, firstly Chandragupta liberated the kingdom of Magadha from the shackles of the
Sakas or the Scythians. Some scholars have also identified Chandragupta I with
Chandrasena, a character of the play "Kaumudi Mahotsava". In the play, the alliance of
Chandrasena with the Licchavi princess was also mentioned. From the evidence of the
drama, it is known that Chandragupta I allied with the Licchavis and overthrew the
legitimate king Sundaravarmana from the throne of Magadha and usurped it.

Prof. R.G. Basak has expounded the theory that Chandragupta I had conquered the province
of Pundravardhana (North Bengal). The Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta
however did not mention that he had conquered the territory of Pundravardhana. It was
already part of the Gupta Empire before the ascension of Samudragupta. Therefore it can be
inferred that Pundravardhana was conquered by Chandragupta I. Professor Basak has also
identified a king named Chandra of Meharauli Pillar inscription, with Chandragupta I.
However this theory did not have wide acceptance. Though the information available about
the extent of Chandragupta I`s Empire is very meagre, yet historians have presumed that
probably it was a large one, which justified his title of Maharajadhiraja. Pargiter, one of the
eminent historians, has suggested on the evidence of a Puranic passage that Saketa (Oudh),
Prayag (Allahabad) and Magadha (South-Bihar) were included in Chandragupta`s kingdom.
Chandragupta I evidently had defeated the Magha kings of Kosala and Kausambhi and
annexed their kingdom. Later modern historians have opined after prolonged research of the
available evidences and the campaigns made by Samudragupta, that the Empire of
Chandragupta I consisted of whole Bihar, portions of Bengal, except the Eastern region or
15
 Samatata and eastern territory of U.P.

The political importance of Chandragupta I lie in the fact that he had initiated the Gupta
era in 320 A.D., that had commenced from February 26th. According to some other
scholars, Gupta era actually dated from December 319 A.D. Again some scholars held that
the son of Chandragupta I, Samudragupta initiated the Gupta era in order to commemorate
his coronation. However a strong theory has been approached by another group of scholars
that Chandragupta II might have started the Gupta Era, although it was calculated from 56
years previous to his reign. However Chandragupta I, the third king of Gupta lineage, was
the most powerful among the early Guptas, who not only established a stronghold of the
Gupta Empire in Northern India, but also had extended the boundary of his Empire.

INDIA DURING THE GUPTA AGE

The inscriptions mention the following titles as: paramadvaita, paramabhattaraka,
maharajadhiraja, prithvipala, paramesvara, samrat, ekadhiraja and chakravartin. The king was
assisted in his administration by a chief minister called mantra or sachiva. Pratiharas and
mahapratiharas were important officers in the royal court though they did not participate in the
administration. Among the important military officers are mentioned senapati, mahasenapati,
baladhyaksha, mahabaladhyaksha, baladhikrita6 and mahabaladhikrita who perhaps represented
different grades. There were two other high military officers-the bhatasvapati, commander of
the infantry and cavalry and the katuka, commander of the elephant corps. Another important
official mentioned in the Basarh seals was ranabhandagaradhikarana, chief of the treasury of
the war office. One higher officer mentioned for the first time in the Gupta records was
sandhibigrahika or mahasandhivigrahika a foreign minister. One of the inscriptions mentions
sarvadhyakshas, superintendents of all but it is not clear whether they were central or provincial
officers. Numerous inscriptions mention dutaka or duta who communicated royal commands to
officers and people concerned. Dandapasadhikarana represented the chief of the police.
Ordinary police officials were known as dandapasika, chatas, bhatas, dandika and
chauroddharanika. The king maintained a close liaison with the provincial administration

6
Ashivini Agarwal, 1960 ,pg no. 540

16
through a class of officials called kumaramatyas and ayuktas.
The provinces called bhuktis were usually governed by officers called uparikas. The governor
of a bhukti has various designations in the official records-bhogika, gopta, uparika-maharaja
and rajasthaniya. Bhuktis were subdivided into vishayas. These were governed by vishayapatis.
The headquarters of the district was known as adhishthana and the executive officers of the
district as samvyavahari and ayuktakas. The district magistrate was helped in his administration
in his administration by a large staff. They were maharattaras(village elders), ashtakuladhi-
karanikas(officers in charge of groups of eight kulas or families in the local area),
gramika(village headman), saulkika (collector of customs and tolls), gaulmika(incharge of
forest and forts), agraharika(in charge of the agraharas, settlements dedicated to Brahmins). The
district records office called akshapatala was placed in charge of mahakshapatalika. There were
also in the district office, sarbodhyakshas or general superintendents under whom were
employed men of noble lineage called kulaputras to guard against corruption. The popular
element played an important part in the district administration. The advisory district council
consisted principally of four members namely the guild president, the chief merchant, the chief
artisan and the chief scribe. The villages were under gramikas along with who were associated
mahattaras or the senior persons of different classes. The town administration was carried on
by the mayor of the city called purapala who corresponded to nagaravyavaharakas of the
Mauryan age.
1. REPUBLICS

While monarchy was the prevailing form of government during the Gupta period, afew republics
lingered on in the Punjab and Rajputana. The Madras was in central Punjab, the Kunindas in the
Kangra valley, the Yaudheyas in south-eastern Punja, the Arjunayanas in Agra- Jaipur tract and
the Malavas in central Rajasthan. The Prarjunas, the Sanakanikas, the Kakas and the Abhiras
were in central India. These republics disappeared after about 400 A.D.

2. MONARCHY
The theory of the divinity of king’s was popular during the Gupta period. Samudragupta is
dscribed as a god who had come to live upon the earth. The Gupta established a strong central
government which also allowed a degree of local control. Gupta society was ordered in
accordance with Hindu beliefs. This included a strict caste system, or class system. The peace
and prosperity created under Gupta leadership enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic

17
endeavors.

Although the king was purposefully associated with Visnu in the inscriptions and even on the
coins, it can be argued that the Guptas were not claiming to be incarnations of Visnu in the
same sense as Rama and Krsna were believed to be incarnations. Rather they were claiming
that their authority to rule the land came to them from Visnu. They expressed their allegiance
to their god through their devotional activities, service to the poor, and patronage of the temple
movement. They were kings but also servants, and this pattern of kingship is also found in
different periods of Indian history.
By the fourth century A.D., political and military turmoil destroyed the Kushan empire in the
north and many kingdoms in the south India. At this juncture, India was invaded by a series of
foreigners and barbarians or Mlechchhas from the north western frontier region and central
Asia. It signaled the emergance of a leader, a Magadha ruler, Chandragupta I.

Chandragupta successfully combated the foreign invasion and laid foundation of the great
Gupta dynasty, the emperors of which ruled for the next 300 years, bringing the most
prosperous era in Indian history.
The reign of Gupta emperors can truly be considered as the golden age of classical Indian
history. Srigupta I (270-290 AD) who was perhaps a petty ruler of Magadha (modern Bihar)
established Gupta dynasty with Patliputra or Patna as its capital. He and his son Ghatotkacha
(290-305 AD) have left very little evidences of their rule and did not issue any coins of their
own (although there have been reports of coins of Shrigupta which need more thorough studies).
Ghatotkacha was succeeded by his son Chandragupta I (305-325 AD) who strengthened his
kingdom by matrimonial alliance with the powerful family of Lichchavi who were rulers of
Mithila. His marriage to Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi, brought an enormous power, resources
and prestige. He took advantage of the situation and occupied whole of fertile Gangetic valley.
Chandragupta I eventually assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja (emperor) in formal coronation.
Most probably Chandragupta I never minted gold coins of his own, although some historians
believe that gold coins depicting king (Chandragupta) and queen (Kumardevi) are minted by
him. It is very likely that these coins were minted by their illustrious son, Samudragupta. Shown
below is very nice example of this controversial coin where Chandragupta and Kumardevi are
shown (without halo). Chandragupta is offering a ring (or putting Sindur) to his queen
18
Kumardevi. Chandra in Brahmi script is written below left arm of King while Shri-Kumardevi is
written near right hand of queen. Reverse of coin shows goddess Ambika, sitting on Lion. The
legend on reverse reads Lichchavyah, which suggests that indeed, Samudragupta took pride in
being Son of Lichchavi princess. His affection towards his parents is amply demonstrated while
issuing this superb (commemorative?) gold coin.

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SAMUDRAGUPTA (335-380 AD)
Samudragupta was perhaps the greatest king of Gupta dynasty. His name appear in Javanese
text `Tantrikamandaka', and Chinese writer, Wang-hiuen-tse refers that a ambassador was sent
to his court by King Meghvarma of Shri Lanka, who had asked his permission to build a
Buddhist monastery at Bodh Gaya for the monks traveling from Shri Lanka. But the most
detailed and authentic record of his reign is preserved in the rock pillar of the Allahabad,
composed by Harisena. Samudragupta enlarged the Gupta Kingdom by winning a series of
battles till he was a master of northern India. Soon he defeated the kings of Vindhyan region
(central India) and Deccan. He although made no attempt to incorporate the kingdoms of south
of Narmada and Mahanadi rivers (southern India) into his empire.
When he died his mighty empire bordered with Kushan of Western province (modern Afganistan
and Pakistan) and Vakatakas in Deccan (modern southern Maharashtra). Samudragupta was a
staunch Hindu and after all his military triumphs, he performed the Ashwamedha Yagna (Horse
sacrifice ceremony) which is evident on some of his coins. Ashwamedha Yagna gave him the
coveted title of Maharajadhiraj, the supreme king of kings. His greatest achievement can be
described as the political unification of most of the India or Aryavarta into a formadible power.
KUMARGUPTA I or MAHENDRADITYA (415-455 AD)
Vikramaditya was succeeded by his able son Kumargupta I. He maintained his hold over the
vast empire of his forebears, which covered most of India except southern four states of India.
Later he too performed the Ashwamegha Yagna and proclaimed himself to be Chakrawarti,
king of all kings. Why he did not mint coins commemorating this event is not clear.
Kumargupta also was a great patron of art and culture; evidence exist that he endowed a
college of fine arts at great ancient university at Nalanda, which fluorished during 5th to 12th
century AD. Numismatic evidence suggests that during his reign the Gupta empire was at its
zenith. His reign also saw tremendous creativity and thus a lot of variety in Gupta coinage.
Kumargupta minted 14 distinct types of Gold coins, the largest of all Gupta rulers. Many of
them, like Rhinoceros-slayer, Apratigha (parents crowning him as ruler) are unique in entire
Indian numismatic history. He also minted two coin types, Tiger- slayer (shown below) and
Lyrist, which his grandfather, Samudragupta minted briefly.
These two types were discontinued during the reign Chandragupta.

20
SKANDAGUPTA (455-467 AD)
Skandagupta took over the Gupta empire and soon had to face with the formidable enemy, the
Huns (Hepthalites). He successfully repelled their early invasions and proved to be able king
and administrator in time of crisis. Skandagupta in Junagadh rock inscription is described as
`embraced by the goddess of wealth and splendour who is chosen by Shri- Laxmi, a goddess of
wealth'. This theme is reflected upon his coins of King and Shri-Laxmi type. These coins show
victorious king and his divine consort Shri-Laxmi (who was considered as his second wife
waiting on him invisibly) standing beneath the imperial Garuda (a mythical hawk like bird)
banner which signify victories of Gupta kings over barbarian Huns. The king is shown to carry
a bow and arrow while Shri-Laxmi is depicted with lotus in her left hand (shall be getting this
coin soon). Shown below is his silver coin minted in Kshatrapa style. Reverse is stylized
humped bull with inscription Param bahagvata Shri Skandagupta Kramaditya.

KING’S COUNCIL

The king was considered as an incarnation of Vishnu. He was the chief head of all
administrative machinery. His main task was to defend the country against foreign invasions.
He administered justice, led troops and had the largest share in the formulation of state policy.
He was assisted by a council of Ministers that ranged from (a) Mantrin (the confidential
adviser), (b) Sandhivigrahika (Minister incharge of war and peace), (c) Akshapatala-dhikrita
(Minister in charge of records), (d) Mahaba-ladhikrita and (e) Mahadandanayak. There was a
special class of officials known as Kumaramatyas.

Justice was administered by the king and his officials. In the district headquarter, the Judges
were helped by Seths and Kayasthas and other representatives. The village council was
responsible for the judicial administration in the villages. The principal source of king`s
revenue was one-sixth of the land produce. Taxes were often collected in kind. Forced labour
was also practiced. Extra taxes were also levied for special purposes. Council of Ministers were
often hereditary - Harisena and saba of Chandragupta II were military generals. Very often,
ministers combined many offices - some ministers accompanied the king to the battles. Chief
Ministers headed the Ministry.

21
 REVENUE AND POLICE OFFICERS
Uparikas or governors were also appointed to provinces. In the Damodarpur plates we have
mention of an uparika named Arata Datta who was governing like police chiefs, controller of
military stores, chief justice (Mahadanda Nayak) leave no doubt about the existence of an
organized hierarchy of officials exercising imperial authority in different parts of the country.
The Mahamatras or provincial viceroys go back to the Mauryan period and continue, in fact, up
to the twelfth century as the highest ranks in official bureaucracy. The position of
Kumaramatyas, of whom many are mentioned, is not clear as we know of them in posts of
varying importance. The gramikas or the village headmen formed the lowest rung in the ladder.
MILITARY OFFICERS

Siva-Dhanur-veda discusses the military of the Gupta Empire. The Guptas relied heavily on
armored war elephants; horses were used little if at all. The use of chariots had declined heavily
by the time of the Guptas, as they had not proved very useful against the Macedonians,
Scythians, and other invaders. Guptas utilized heavy cavalry clad in mail armor and equipped
with maces and lances, who would have used shock action to break the enemy line. They also
employed on infantry archers. Their longbow was composed of bamboo or metal and fired a
long bamboo cane arrow with a metal head; iron shafts were used against armored elephants.
They also sometimes used fire arrows. Archers were frequently protected by infantry equipped
with shields, javelins, and long swords. The Guptas also maintained a navy, allowing them to
control regional waters. Samudragupta seized the kingdoms of Shichchhatra and Padmavati early
in his reign. Later, he took the Kota kingdom and attacked the tribes in Malvas, the Yaudheyas,
theArjunayanas, the Maduras and the Abhiras. By his death in 3807, he had conquered over
twenty kingdoms. Chandragupta II defeated his rival,Rudrasimha III, by 395 and defeated the
Saka Western Kshatrapas of Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra in a campaign lasting until409.
Chandragupta II also crushed the Bengal (Vanga) chiefdoms. Skandagupta defeated
Pushyamitra and repelled the attack of Hephthalites or "White Huns" around 455, but the
expense of the wars drained the empire's resources and contributed to its decline.

JUDICIAL OFFICERS
Inscriptions refer to such judicial officers as Mahadandanayaka, Mahakshapatalika, etc.

7
C. MICHAEL BRANNIGAN, 2012,PG NO. 430

22
Probably, the Mahadandanayaka combined the duties of a judge and general. The
Mahakshapatalikanwas probably the Great keeper of Records.

It appears that the Kumaramatya, Bhodagara, Dandapashika and the Uparika had each his
separate Adhikarna. If it is conceded that the term Adhikarna meant a court where transactions
pertaining to land were decided, it is possible that judicial matters were also decided there.
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

For administrative convenience the empire was divided into several provinces also known as
Desa or Bhukti. They were placed under the governor or the princes of royal blood. The
provinces were divided into districts. The local and provincial governments were carried on by
regular bureaucracy. Tirabhukti was one of the important administrative centres.
The excavations at Basarh give a glimpse of the system of provincial administration as carried
on in Tirabhukti, which was the provincial capital of Vaishali and Mithila. As per the
excavations it is presumed that Govindagupta was the governor of the province during the
lifetime of his father. From a seal of a general belonging to the establishment of the heir-
apparent, it is seen that the Yuvaraja had his separate military establishment; The guilds
commanded respect and were autonomous bodies. They had their own rules and they looked
to the management of the temple. It is evident from the Basarh seals in Tirabhukti,
Kumaramatyif were entrusted with the district administration in subordination to the provincial
governor called Uparika. Various treatises on law were written and the most important were
Yajnavalkya and Narada Smritis.
Yajnavalkya paid more attention to the legal matters and improved his views regarding the
rights of women whom he permitted to inherit equally with men. He elaborated the subject
of trade and ownership and recognised the written documents in evidence.
PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION

known as Bhuktis or Deshes. Officers very often of royal blood - maintained law and
order and protected people against external aggression - also looked after public utility
services.

Bhuktis were divided into groups of districts called Pradeshes. Pradeshas were divided
into Vishyas or districts. The head of the districts was Vishayapati. Probably the
provincial head was assisted by various officials.

23
 Damdoar plate inscription mentions number of functionaries - chief banker, Chief
Merchants, Chief Artisan, Chief of the writer class etc. Whether they formed part of the
non-official council of the districts or were elected is not known.

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
Districts divided into number of villages - villages being the last unit. Villages looked after
houses, streets, tmples banks etc. - each village had its own weavers, black-smits and gold-
smiths, carpentaers etc.

Village headmen known as gramike was assisted by a council called Panchamandali. Each
village had its own seal.

Towns looked after by Purapalas - town councils.

A very revealing feature of the administration was the payment of grants in land instead of
salaries. Only personnel of the military service were paid cash salaries. The grants in land
were of two kinds. The agrahara grant was only to brahmins and it was tax-free. The second
variety of land grant was given to secular officials either as salary or as reward for services.
Both these practices were widely used as the time passed by. These grants definitely
weakened the authority of the king. Although technically the king could cancel the grants, he
could not do so as the time passed by.

SOURCE OF REVENUE

Not enough evidence on taxation. Officials on tour were provided free rice, curd, milk,
flowers, transport, etc. Perhaps they were like modern day officials at the districts level,
Local people paid the expenses for apprehending criminals. Three varieties of land - waste
land belonging to State which was donated very often. The crown land war rarely donated.
The third was the private land. Land revenue and various taxes from the land and from
various categories of produce at various stages of production. Administration was highly
decentralized - police, control of military stores, chief justice, etc. Probably, recruitment
ceased to be based on merit. Parallelism of power - highest concentration and extensive
decentralization. Such an administration required a good standing army and complicated
system of checks and counter-checks.

24
 ECONOMY AND SOCIETY DURING GUPTA EMPIRE

In the Gupta period land survey is evident from the Poona plates of Prabhavati Gupta and
many other inscriptions. An officer named Pustapala maintained records of all land
transactions in the district.The Guptas issued the largest number of gold coins in ancient
India, but in gold content, Gupta coins are not as pure as Kushanas.The Guptas also issued
good number of silver coins for local exchange.The Gupta copper coins are very few as
compared to Kushanas, which show that use of money, was not the medium of exchange for
the common people.The increase in land grants resulted in the oppression of peasants as along
with the fiscal rights the administrative rights were also given to the grantees.This period also
witnessed imposition of forced labor and various new taxesGupta period witnessed decline in
long distance Indo-Roman trade.The trade with South-East Asia got an impetus.The ports of
the East coast were Tamralipti, Ghantashala and Kandura.The ports on the western coast were
located at Bharoach, Chaul, Kalyan and Cambay.The institution of slavery tended to become
weak during this periodThe Guptas issued the largest number of gold coins in ancient India.
The social position of the Shudras seems to have improved in this period. This was due to their
involvement in agriculture.Sudras were permitted to listen to the epics and Puranas and also
worship a new god called Krishna.The social position of Vaishyas declined during this period
due to decline in tradeFrom around the 3rd century onwards, the practice of untouchability
appears to have intensified and their number registered a rise. Katyayana, a smriti writer of the
Gupta periods, was the first to use the expression “asprasya” to denote untouchable.The
position of women deteriorated further.Polygamy was common.Early marriages were
advocated and often pre-puberty marriages.Meghdoot of Kalidasa informs about the Devdasi
system in Mahakal in UjjainKalidas also inform about the “purdah” prevalent
among the elite class womanThe first example of Sati appears in Gupta time in 510 AD in Eran
in Madhya Pradesh. (Bhanugupta’s Eran Inscription – 510 AD).

CULTURE AND LITERATURE

During the Guptan period the idol worship came into vogue as a result the practice of free
standing temples started for the first time. Prior to this period the shrines were made in rock
cut structures.The Nagara Style (Shikhar style) of architecture evolved during this period. The
temples with shikhar and garbha griha (shrine room) in which the image of the god was placed,
begin during this period.The examples of temple during this period are Dasavatara temple of
25
Deogarh (Jhansi distric, UP), Siva temple of Bhumra (Nagod, MP), Vishnu and Kankali temple
(Tigawa, MP), Parvati temple of Nanchana-Kuthwa (Panna district, MP), Shiva temple of
Khoh (Satna, Panna, MP), Krishna brick temple of Bhittargaon (Kanpur, UP), Laxman temple
of Sirpur (Raipur, MP), Vishnu temple and Varah temple of Eran (MP).The art of paintings
and rock cut caves architecture also reached to the finest level. The example of these are rock
cut caves at Ajanta, Ellora (in Maharashtra) and Bagh (in Madhya Pradesh)The frescoes of the
Ajanta caves are the masterpieces of the paintings of this age.The examples of Stupas of this
period are Mirpur khas (Sindh), Dhammekh (Saranath) and Ratnagiri (Orissa).The centres of
the Gandhar sculptures declined and their places were taken by Benaras, Patliputra and
Mathura.For the first time we get images of Vishnu, Shiva and other Gods.Among the best
specimen of the images of Buddha is a seated Buddha image of Sarnath, which dyboxepicts the
Buddha preaching the Dhamma.Of the Brahmanical images perhaps the most impressive is the
Great Boar (Varah) carved in relief at the entrance of a cave at Udayagiri.

DECLINE OF THE GUPTA 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 Hephthalites 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. It appears from
inscriptions that the Guptas, although their power was much diminished, continued to resist the
Hunas. The Huns were defeated and driven out of India in 528 AD by a coalition consisting of

Gupta emperor Narasimhagupta and the king Yashodharman from Malwa.[36] 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.

However, fresh waves of Invaders arrived and shattered the fabric of the Gupta Empire.
Although in the beginning the Gupta king Skanda Gupta tried effectively to stem the march of
the Hunas into India, his successors proved to be weak and could not cope with the Huna
invaders, who excelled in horsemanship and who possibly used stirrups made of metal,
26
Although the Huna power was soon overthrown by Yasodharman of Malwa, the Malwa prince
successfully challenged the authority of the Guptas and set up Pillars of victory commorating
his conquest (AD 532) of almost the whole of northern India. Indeed Yasodharman's rule was
short lived, but he dealt a severe blow to the Gupta empire.

CONCULSION
The Guptas administration was akin to that of Maurya, however it differ from the latter in the
degree of centralization For the first time the post of officers became hereditary There were
instances for the first time that one officer was given more than one post Unlike the Mauryan
period the district and local officials were not appointed by the center but at the provincial
level. The officers were paid salary in cash Guptas administration was, thus, highly
decentralized, and as patrimonial bureaucracy reached its logical conclusion in hereditary grants
it reflected the quasi-feudal character of the economy.It comprised a network of self-governing
tribes and tributary kingdoms and their chiefs often served as representatives of imperial
powers. The Gupta king took exalted titles like the Mahadhiraja, Samrat, Ekadhiraja
Chakravartin, befitting their large empire and imperial status.The practice of appointing the
crown prince (Kumara) nominated came in vogue. The Gupta period also experienced an
excess of land grants. (Agarhara grants, Devagrahara grants).Land grants included the transfer
of royal rights over salt and mines, which were under the royal monopoly during the Maurya
period.The land grants during this period often transfer administrative rights to the grantees; as
a result the tendency of feudalism was perpetuated.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

LIST OF BOOKS-
1. Majumdar, R.C. (1977). Ancient India, New Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass,

2. Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). Political History of Ancient India, Calcutta: University of

Calcutta

3. Mahajan, V.D.(1960). Ancient India, New Delhi: S. Chand and Company Ltd.

4. Bajpai, K.D. (2004). Indian Numismatic Studies. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications.

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5. Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas. Delhi: Motilal
Banarsidass

6. Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas, Delhi:Motilal
Banarsidass

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