After
the downfall of the Kushana empire in about the third century and at
the beginning of the 4th century AD, many independent states emerged in
North India. One of these states was of the Lichchahavis of Vaisali who
dominated portions of North Bengal and South Bihar. This clan obtained
possession of Pataliputra, the Capital of the Kushans. Sri Gupta was the
first ruler of this dominion. After him his son Ghatokacha ruled with
the title of Maharaja. In the fourth century a Lichchavi princess got
married to a king in the Magadha who was called Chandragupta I. The
reign of Chandragupta I is said to have come to an end in about 330AD.
The importance of the rule Chandragupta I centres around the influence
of Kumaradevi the Lichchavi princess, coins bearing the figures of the
princess speaks of the extent of her influence. Chandragupta became the
king of Pataliputra and established a kingdom along the Ganges.
Chandragupta I was succeeded by Samudragupta in about 330AD. He reigned
for about fifty yeGoldcoin-Chandragupta I periodars. Inscriptions on a
pillar erected by Ashoka gives an account of Samudragupta. After
succeeding to the throne of the empire he subdued the powers revolting
against his authority in the Gangetic plains and brought their dominions
to his kingdoms. He is said to have commanded a military campaign
across the Deccan, and also subdued the forest tribes of the Vindhya
region. He performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice to establish and proclaim
his supremacy. His kingdom also included Lower Bengal, upper Assam and
Nepal. Tributes and homage was paid by the rulers and clans including
the Malwas, the Yaudheyas, Arjunayansas, the Madras, the Abhiras in
Punjab and Rajasthan and others in Madhya Pradesh. Samudragupta led an
expedition to the south through the forest tracts of Madhya Pradesh to
Orissa, Vishakapatnam, Godavari, Krishna and Nellore district. He is
also said to have intruded into Kanchi the capital of the Pallavas.
Samudragupta maintained diplomatic relations with the Kushana King of
North west and the ruler of Ceylon. His friendly relation with Ceylon is
proved by the fact that King Meghavarna of Ceylon sent an embassy to
Samudragupta. With gifts, seeking permission to erect a splendid
monastery near the holy tree at Bodh Gaya for the pilgrims from Ceylon.
This structure constructed with the permission of Samudragupta was known
as Mahabohi Sangharvama. Samudragupta's personal skill was exceptional
especially in music and song. He was also well known for his poetry and
had composed many work which had a reputation of a professional author.
He was a devotee of Vishnu and thus can be called a Brahmanical Hindu.
All these and his role as a monarch qualifies him to be called a hero of
hundred battle by a court poet in the Allahabad inscriptions.
Vincent Smith has elevated Samudragupta in Indian history as the
Napoleon of India. His tradition of (Milito) religious toleration
reflects in the Allahabad inscription and speaks thus " put to Shama the
preceptor of the lord of the gods. Brahaspati by his sharp and polished
intellect and Tamburu and Narad by lovely performance." Samudragupta
had several sons. His rule is presumed to have been till about 375AD.
Samudragupta was succeeded by his elder son Ramagupta who was said to
have been murdered by Chandragupta II, who did so owing to his brother
Ramaguptas uncouth act of surrendering his queen Dhruvadevi to the Saka
ruler who subdued him.
Thus Chandragupta ascended the throne of Patilaputra in about 375AD. On
assuming the throne of the Gupta empire he took to the title of
Vikramaditya. Chandragupta II was a conquerer like his father
Samudragupta. His diplomatic tactics in giving his daughter in marriage
to Rudrasena II. TheVakattaka king of Deccan helped greatly in securing
the vital territory for himself which could prove advantageous in the
event of an attack upon the saka satraps of the west from the north.
Chandragupta Vikramaditya's miltary conquests includes the conquest of
Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra which were under the Saka rule. He
defeated Rudrasimha III the last of the western satrap ruler and annexed
his territories. This provided exceptional wealth which added to the
prosperity of the Guptas. The Guptas at his period had sea trade with
the countries of the west. Broach, Sopara, Cambay were ports that
facilitated trade. During this period, Ujjain appears to have been the
inland centre upon which most of the trade routes converged.
Chandragupta occupied the throne for nearly forty years. Pataliputra was
a flourishing city. The Gupta administration at this period was mild.
Under the Guptas the King assumed a divine character. Chandragupta II
was also identified with Vikramaditya of Ujjain. Raja Bikram of popular
legend was also a patron of the nine gems including Kalidsa and
Varahamihira.
Kumaragupta I was successor of Chandragupta II known as Mahendraditya
Kumargupta I, he ruled from 415 AD to 455 AD. He reigned for about 40
years. His empire extended from North Bengal to Kathiawar and from the
Himalayas to the Narmada. To the south his kingdom extended as far as
the Satara district of the Deccan. He also performed the Ashwameda
sacrifice. Towards the end of his rule, the Pushyamitras who were people
located near Mekala in the Nerbudda valley became powerful and wealthy.
The Pushamitras brought about a temporary eclipse of the Gupta
power.This attack on the Guptas were repulsed by Skandagupta who is
considered as the last great Gupta ruler. After the succession of
Skandagupta he had to subdue the Huns, Skandagupta assumed the title of
Vikramaditya. During his campaign against the Huns Skandagupta had to
meet great expenses which resulted in the reduction in the issue of gold
coins. The Gupta period in Indian history is termed as the Golden Age
of India. This period extends from 320 to 480 AD. It extends through the
reigns of Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Vikramaditya,
Kumaragupta and Skandagupta.The Gupta dynasty continued its existence
after the death of Skandagupta. He was succeeded by his son
Narasimhagupta followed by Kumaragupta II. Kumaragupta II was followed
by Budhagupta. His territory extended from Bengal to central India. The
last Gupta ruler was Bhanugupta. During his reign the Hunas wrested
Malwas from the Guptas. After his decline in 467Ad the succeeding rulers
were weak and could not check the invasion of the Huns and other
tribes. After the death of Bhanugupta in 570AD the Gupta empire declined
and broke off.
The Gupta period has been described as the golden age of Indian history.
It extended from the period of 320AD to 480AD. During this period
literature, art and science flourished. Religious toleration and freedom
of worship speaks greatly of the Guptas. The great writings of Kalidasa
which include Ritusamhara and Meghauta in Sanskrit literature at its
highest quality.
The Gupta period is also regarded as a period of Hindu renaissance.
Ashoka had succeeded in making Buddhism as the religion as the majority
people in Northern India. On doing this neither Brahmanical Hinduism of
Jainism died out owing to Ashokas religious toleration propagated by
Ashoka. After Ashoka all the rulers that followed showed religious
toleration which only added to the prosperity of the territories they
ruled. The Guptas though showed a preference to their family deity
Vishnu pursued the policy of perfect freedom of worship.
Music, architecture, sculpture and painting was at its best during the
period of Gupta rule. The stoner temples of which one at Deogarh in
Jhansi, a t Bhitergaon in the kanpur district are few specimens
depicting gupta excellence in architecture and sculpture Another area of
Gupta excellence was their metallurgical skill. Various copper statues
images of Buddha reflects the craftsmanship of the gupta period. The
pillar at Delhi made of iron in the time of Samudragupta is also another
piece of excellence The Guptas also excellent in the filed of fine
arts. All fields of fine arts received royal patronage. Another area of
outmost importance during the Gupta reign is the exchange of
intellectual ideas which is attributed to the royal patronage and
contacts with foreign people of both east and west. Buddhism which was
introduced in China from India fostered religious relations promoting
constant communication. Chinese missionaries visited India to do
reverence to the sacred spots of faith . These visits helped to the
sacred spots of faith. These visit helped the Chinese pilgrims knowledge
of Sanskrit. Besides China contacts with various islands of South Asia,
Indonesia, Persia, Greece and Rome also proves the sound Gupta rule and
their diplomatic tactics to provide the best of administration. All
these adds to the statement that defines the Gupta period as the Golden
age of India.
