CHAPTER-24 : Rise and Growth of the Gupta Empire
Ancient History of India
OLD NCERT
Short Notes or Revision Notes
Rise of the Gupta Empire
Following the Kushans:
- The Gupta Empire emerged from the decline of the Kushan Empire around 230 AD.
- Guptas may have been Vaishyas (based on title recommendations in Dharmashastras).
Early Gupta Kingdom:
- Established in UP and Bihar by the end of the 3rd century AD.
- UP held more importance due to a concentration of early Gupta coins and inscriptions.
- Controlled key areas like Anuganga, Prayag, Saketa, and Magadha.
Filling the Power Vacuum:
- Murundas (possible Kushan relatives) briefly ruled central India (230-250 AD).
- The Gupta dynasty rose to power around 275 AD.
Rise of the Gupta Empire: Chandragupta I and Samudragupta
Chandragupta I (319-334 AD):
- First significant Gupta ruler.
- Strengthened his position by marrying a Lichchhavi princess (Nepal’s royal family).
- Established the Gupta era in 319-20 AD, marking his ascension.
Samudragupta (335-380 AD):
- Expanded the Gupta Empire considerably.
- Known for his military conquests (unlike Ashoka’s pacifism).
- Details of conquests recorded by court poet Harishena in an inscription at Allahabad.
- Conquered territories divided into five groups:
- Group 1: Princes of Ganga-Yamuna Doab (annexed).
- Group 2: Himalayan states, Nepal, Assam, Bengal, and some Punjabi republics (brought under control).
- Group 3: Forest kingdoms of the Vindhya region (brought under control).
- Group 4: 12 rulers of eastern Deccan and South India (conquered and liberated, some as far as Kanchi in Tamil Nadu).
- Group 5: Shakas and Kushans (removed from power, some in Afghanistan).
Chandragupta II (380-412 AD): The Peak of the Gupta Empire
- Expansion through Marriage and Conquest:
- Married daughter Prabhavati to a Vakataka prince, gaining influence in central India.
- Conquered Mathura (from Kushans), western Malwa, and Gujarat (from Shaka Kshatrapas).
- Gained control of the western sea coast, boosting trade.
- Ujjain possibly became a second capital.
- Vikramaditya Title and Era:
- Adopted the title “Vikramaditya” (originally used by an Ujjain ruler who defeated Shakas).
- Vikrama samvat era likely originated from this earlier victory (58-57 BC).
- Cultural Flourishing:
- Court at Ujjain attracted scholars like Kalidasa and Amarasimha.
- Chinese pilgrim Fa-hsien visited India during his reign.
Decline of the Gupta Empire
- Hun Invasions (5th Century AD):
- Hunas, skilled horsemen, invaded from Central Asia.
- Skandagupta initially repelled them, but his successors struggled.
- By 485 AD, Huns occupied eastern Malwa, central India, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
- Rise of Yashodharman (532 AD):
- Overthrew Huna power but challenged Gupta authority.
- Established a short-lived Malwa kingdom, weakening the Guptas.
- Loss of Territory (after 467 AD):
- Bihar and UP lost to Maukharis (Kanauj).
- Gujarat and western Malwa lost to Valabhi rulers.
- Loss of western trade revenue crippled the Gupta economy.
- Rise of New Powers:
- Princes of Thanesar (Haryana) emerged as new players in North India.
- End of Gupta Empire (around 550 AD):
- Bihar and UP likely the last Gupta territories.
हिन्दी