Rise of Gupta Empire Navaratnas Study Notes KAS

Rise of Gupta Empire Navaratnas Kalidasa, Khadakarpara, Kshapanaka, Vararuchi, Vetala Bhatta, Varahamihira, Amarasimha, Shanku, Dhanvantari.

Rise of Gupta Empire

After the Mauryan empire, many small kingdoms rose and fell. In the period from BC 300 to 700 AD.
Imperial rule evolved, paving the way for state formation in many regions
During this period, the Gupta kingdom emerged as a great power and achieved the political unification of a large part of the Indian subcontinent.
It featured a strong central government, bringing many kingdoms under its hegemony.
The first ruler of the Gupta Empire was Sri Gupta (240–280 CE) who was succeeded by his son Ghatotkacha (280–319 CE).
Chandragupta I, the son of Ghatotkacha, ruled from 319 to 335 CE and is considered to be the first great king of the Gupta Empire.
Chandragupta held the title of maharaja-adhiraja (great king over other kings)
Chandragupta I appointed his son Samudragupta to succeed him in 335 CE.
Southern kings paid tribute, while the northern kingdoms were annexed to the Gupta Empire under Samudragupta.
Chandragupta I is considered to be the founder of the Gupta era which starts with his accession in A.D. 320.
Samudragupta patronised scholars and poets like Harisena and thus promoted Sanskrit literature.

Samudragupta's attacks mentioned in the 'Prashasti' written by his court poet Harisena. The 'Prashasti' is inscribed on the pillar in Allahabad.

As a lover of poetry and music, he was given the title “Kaviraja”.
His coins bear the insignia of him playing the vina (lute).
Chandragupta II was a capable ruler, who ruled for 40 years from c. 375 to 415 CE.
He is also known as Vikramaditya
He transferred the capital from Pataliputra to Ujjain
His court had nine jewels or navaratnas,

Nine eminent people in various fields of art, literature and science.
This included the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa, the Sanskrit scholar Harisena, the lexicographer Amarasimha, and the physician Dhanvantari.
Fahien, the Buddhist scholar from China, visited India during his reign. He records the prosperity of the Gupta Empire.
Chandragupta II was the first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins.

Kalidasa, Khadakarpara, Kshapanaka, Vararuchi, Vetala Bhatta, Varahamihira, Amarasimha, Shanku, Dhanvantari.

Chandragupta II rule thus formed the peak period of Gupta’s territorial expansion.
Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son Kumara Gupta I, who founded the Nalanda University.
The last great king of the Gupta dynasty, Skanda Gupta, was the son of Kumara Gupta I.
The Gupta Empire declined after the death of Skanda Gupta in 467 CE.
The last recognized king of the Gupta line was Vishnu Gupta who reigned from 540 to 550 CE.

A large extent of land was donated to Jain saints, Buddhist monks, Brahmanas and to the officials in the palace.
They made the farmers work in their land. But the farmers had no right on the land.
There was an increase in agricultural production whereas the life of the farmers was pathetic.
The fall of the Roman empire caused for the decline of trade during the Gupta period.
Power was concentrated on the landlords. The royal power weakened.
Various kinds of discriminations existed in the society during that time.
Varna system became rigid. The kings encouraged Vaishnava and Shaiva sects and built many temples.

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