NEW EMPIRES AND KINGDOM-SAMUDRAGUPTA-PRASHASTI

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QUESTION ANSWERS

THE RISE OF GUPTA EMPIRE

The decline of the Mauryan empire resulted in the rise of two major political powers—the Kushanas in the north and the Satavahanas in the south. Both these empires brought political unity and economic growth in their respective areas. 

The Gupta empire established its control over a good part of the former dominions of both the Kushanas and the Satavahanas. The Guptas (possibly Vaishyas) kept northern India politically united for more than a century (319 CE–455 CE).

The original kingdom of the Guptas comprised Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with their centre of power at Prayag (U.P.).

Samudragupta was a renowned ruler of the Gupta Empire, one of the most influential and prosperous dynasties in ancient India. He was the son of Chandragupta I and succeeded his father to the throne around 335 CE. He ruled from 335 CE to 375 CE. He was a skilled warrior who fought many wars and captured different lands. His conquests included regions in the northern, western, and southern parts of India. So, he is known as the Napoleon of India.

Major areas covered by Samudragupta are:

Northern India: Parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal.

Western India: Areas of present-day Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

Central India: Malwa region

Eastern India: Areas of Odisha Region

  Qn. 1. What is Prashasti?What does the Allahabad Pillar Inscription reveal about Samudragupta's achievements and qualities as a ruler?

Prashasti is a sanskrit word that means 'in praise of'. It is a type of inscription written in praise of rulers in ancient India.We get information about the past through these special inscriptions. Samudra Gupta’s court poet and minister Harisena composed the Allahabad pillar Inscription or Prayag Prashasti. 

This Inscription is a Kavya in praise of Samudra Gupta and mentions his successful campaigns against various rulers and regions and the boundaries of the Gupta Empire..

 This inscription describes Samudragupta as a king who fought many battles and received wounds that were considered marks of glory. He was given the title Prakrama, which means valorous.

Samudragupta is shown as a ruler who was not only a great warrior but also someone who promoted arts and culture. He followed a policy of Dharma (righteous conduct) to ensure justice and good governance. People respected him so much that he was considered equal to the gods.

This inscription, called a Prashasti, praises Samudragupta as one of the greatest kings in Indian history.

The Prashasti described four different kinds of rulers and Samudragupta’s policies towards them. These are :

Areas	Samudraguptas policies
The rulers of Aryavarta. (North-central Indian Regions)	Treated badly and made them a part of the Kingdom.
The rulers of Dakshinapatha	Surrendered and were allowed to rule again.
Assam, Bengal and Nepal	Brought tribute, followed his orders and attended his court.
States ruled by the descendants of the Kushanas and Srilanka	Submitted and give their daughters in Marriage.

 

Genealogies

·      Most Prashastis also mention the ancestors of the rulers

·      Samudragupta’s prashastis mentioned the ancestors’ names such as Samudragupta’s great grandfather, grandfather, father and mother.

·      Kumara Devi, belonged to the Lichchhavi gana, while his father, Chandragupta, was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty who adopted the grand title of maharaj-adhiraja.

·      Samudragupta led an expedition towards North India and overcame the last of the Shakas.

 

Chandragupta I	Reigned from 319 CE to 335/336 CE Started the Gupta Era He assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja‘ Married Licchavi princess Kumaradevi.
Samudragupta	Reigned from 335/336 CE to 375 CE Called ‘Napolean of India’ by V.A. Smith (Irish Indologist and Art Historian) His campaigns are mentioned in the Eran inscription (Madhya Pradesh)
Chandragupta II	Reigned from 376-413/415 CE Navratnas (9 Gems in his Court) Took the title ‘Vikramaditya’
Kumaragupta I	Reigned from 415 CE to 455 CE Founded Nalanda University He was also called Shakraditya
Skandagupta	Reigned from 455 AD – 467 AD Was a ‘Vaishnavite‘ Son of Kumaragupta
Vishnugupta	Last known ruler of the Gupta Dynasty (540 AD – 550 AD)

 Why Gupta empire is called the Golden Age of India?

The Gupta Empire is often referred to as the Golden Age of India rather than a dark age. This era (approximately 320–550 CE) is celebrated for its remarkable advancements in various fields, including art, science, mathematics, literature, and governance.

1. Cultural Achievements: The period saw the creation of important literature, such as Kalidasa's plays, and flourishing art and architecture, including the Ajanta and Ellora caves.
2. Scientific Progress: Scholars like Aryabhata and Varahamihira made significant contributions to astronomy and mathematics, including the concept of zero and advancements in algebra and geometry. There was steady growth in medical field also. 
3. Political Stability: The Gupta rulers, particularly Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), established a stable and prosperous administration.
4. Economic Prosperity: Trade and agriculture thrived during this period, with the use of standardized gold coins reflecting economic stability.

 Ancient India

HARSHVARDHANA (606-647 C.E.)

Harshavardhana was a Pushyabhuti emperor who ruled northern India from 606 to 647 CE. We get information from his biography, Harshacharitha, in Sanskrit, written by his court poet, Banabhatta. It describes his family details.

·      His brother-in-law ruled Kanauj, Grahavarman, who was killed by the ruler of Bengal, Guada Kingdom, Sasanka. Harsha took over the kingdom of Kanauj and then led an army against the ruler of Bengal.

·      Harsha was successful in the east and conquered both Magadha and Bengal.

·      He could not cross Narmada as he was stopped by Pulakeshin II, the Chalukya dynasty.

e   Extra Notes

Harsha was the son of Prabhakaravardhana, the king of Thanesar.

His older brother, Rajyavardhana, was the last king of Thanesar.

Harsha's sister, Rajyashri, was married to a king named Grahavarman.

King Grahavarman was killed by King Devagupta of Malwa, who also captured and imprisoned Rajyashri.

Harsha's brother, Rajyavardhana, who was the king at Sthanesvara, decided to fight King Devagupta to protect his family.

Rajyavardhana defeated King Devagupta, but Shashanka, the King of Gauda (Eastern Bengal), pretended to be his friend and secretly planned to harm him.

Shashanka betrayed and killed Rajyavardhana.

Rajyashri escaped from captivity and ran into the forests.

Harsha, who was only 16 years old, became king after his brother's death.

His first task was to rescue Rajyashri and take revenge for his brother and brother-in-law.

Harsha saved Rajyashri when she was about to set herself on fire.

   

The Pallavas

·      During this period, the Pallavas and Chalukyas were the most important ruling dynasties in south India.

·      The kingdom of the Pallavas spread from the region around their capital, Kanchipuram, to the Kaveri delta.

·      Chalukyas was centred around the Raichur Doab, between the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra (Telengana and Karnataka).

·      Aihole, the capital of the Chalukyas, was an important trading centre. It developed as a religious centre, with a number of temples.

·      Pulakeshin II was the best-known Chalukya ruler.

·      His prashasti was composed by his court poet Ravikirti, which talks about his ancestors such as Pulakeshin I, Kirttivarman I, Mangalesha etc.

·      He led expeditions along both the west and the east coasts.

·      He even checked and stopped the movements of Harsha to South Indian region.

·      He also fought several battles with Pallava King Mahendravarman I without conclusive results.

·      Later both Pallava and Chalukya rulers give way to Rashtrakuta and Chola Dynasty.

How did they manage their Kingdom?

·       Land revenue was the major part of administration.

·       There were offices like chief judicial offer (Mahadanda Nayaka), Minister of War and Peace (Sandhi-Vigrahika), Minister of Trade etc.

·       Some important administrative posts were hereditary.

·       Some of the Kings had well-organised army led by Military Leaders.

·       These leaders were given lands to administer and to collect revenue from the land.

·       They were known as Samantas.

·       They also use this money to maintain soldiers, and war equipments.

·       Sometimes, these powerful leaders even formed their own independent Kingdoms.

·       Inscriptions also describes their local assemblies such as Sabha (Brhmin Landowners) with sub committees to take care of irrigation, road, agricultural work, temples etc.

·       In the Ur Village, Nagaram was an organization of merchants.

Ordinary People In the Kingdoms

Kalidasa was known for his plays depicting life in the king’s court. Kalidasa was one of the gems of the court of Gupta king Chandragupta II. His works were written in Sanskrit. All his works gives a clear detail about the life of King and ordinary people.

In his play, the king and most brahmins are shown as speaking Sanskrit, while women and men other than the king and brahmins use Prakrit.

His most famous play, Abhijnana Shakuntalam, is the story of the love between a king named Dushyanta and a young woman named Shakuntala.

1. Write a short note on Samudragupta.
Samudragupta, one of India's greatest warrior kings, ruled around 1,700 years ago. He was the son of Chandragupta I and succeeded his father to the throne around 335 CE. He ruled from 335 CE to 375 CE.  He was a skilled warrior who fought many wars and captured different lands. His achievements are recorded in the Allahabad Pillar inscription, written by his minister Harishena. He defeated nine northern rulers and added their lands to his empire (Aryvartha).   He also had conquered Twelve southern kings who surrenderd to him (Dakshinapatha) and gained the respect of neighboring rulers, including those from Sri Lanka who brought tribute to him.  Besides being a warrior, he was a poet and musician, known for playing the veena. He governed wisely, collected taxes, and supported scholars and artists. His rule made the Gupta Empire powerful and prosperous.  Because of his military success, historians call him "The Napoleon of India."
2. Write a short note on the Pushybhuti Ruler Harsha Vardhana.

Harsha was the son of Prabhakaravardhana, the king of Thanesar.

Harshavardhana was a Pushyabhuti emperor who ruled northern India from 606 to 647 CE. We get information from his biography, Harshacharitha, in Sanskrit, written by his court poet, Banabhatta.   His brother-in-law ruled Kanauj, Grahavarman, who was killed by the ruler of Bengal.  Harsha took over the kingdom of Kanauj and then led an army against the ruler of Bengal.      Harsha was successful in the east and conquered both Magadha and Bengal. Harsha was a strong ruler and a great administrator. His rule brought peace, prosperity, and support for education and culture.  He could not cross Narmada as he was stopped and defeated by Pulakeshin II, the Chalukya dynasty.

3. What do you know about Pallava and Chalukya Dynasty?

The Pallavas and Chalukyas were the most important ruling dynasties in south India 1400 years ago. 
The Pallavas and Chalukyas were two powerful dynasties in South India. The Pallavas ruled from Kanchipuram to the Kaveri delta, while the Chalukyas controlled the Raichur Doab between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers(Telengana and Karnataka).
Pulakeshin II was the best-known Chalukya ruler. His prashasti was composed by his court poet Ravikirti, which talks about his ancestors such as Pulakeshin I, Kirttivarman I,etc. Pulakeshin 2 tried to expand his empire along  both the west and the east coasts.       He even checked and stopped the movements of Harsha to South Indian region. He also fought several battles with Pallava King Mahendravarman I.  
     Later both Pallava and Chalukya rulers give way to Rashtrakuta and Chola Dynasty.

How were the kingdoms of the northern India administered during the ages of the Guptas and the Harshavardhana?

Kings managed their kingdoms by collecting land revenue, which was the main source of income. Villages remained the basic unit of administration. Some important government posts became hereditary, and officials often held multiple roles. For example, Harishena was a Chief Judicial Officer, Minister, and War Advisor.

Samantas were powerful military leaders who were given land by the king. They collected revenue, maintained soldiers, and supported the king in battles. Over time, some Samantas became independent rulers.

Local administration included bankers, merchants, craftsmen, and scribes. Inscriptions mention assemblies like Sabha (for Brahmins), which managed irrigation, roads, and temples. Villages had Ur (for common people peasants), while Nagaram was an organization of merchants that handled trade. This system helped rulers govern efficiently while sharing power with local leaders.