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<p>Hello our dear learners, we will be learning about one of the important dynasties of Ancient India i.e. The Gupta Dynasty. So, let's dive deep and explore.</p>

<h2 id="content-id-1923-0"><strong>The Gupta Dynasty</strong></h2>

<p>In Ancient India, the Gupta Dynasty ruled the mid-to-late 3rd century (approximately) to 543 AD. Founded by Sri Gupta, the dynasty rose to fame with rulers like Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta. Around the last decade of the 3rd century CE (about 275 CE), the dynasty of the Guptas came to power. 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 (335 CE- 455 CE).</p>

<h2 id="content-id-1923-1"><strong>Chandragupta I</strong></h2>

<p>Chandragupta I reigned from 319 CE to 335 / 336 CE. He started the Gupta Era. He assumed the title of ‘<strong>Maharajadhiraja</strong>’ and Married Licchavi princess Kumaradevi. He was the first prominent ruler of the Gupta dynasty. He made his empire stronger by his own efforts and also by marrying the Licchavi princess. Lichchavi were a very powerful family or ruling class of Mithila at that time.</p>

<h2 id="content-id-1923-2"><strong>Samudragupta (AD 335-375)</strong></h2>

<p>Samudragupta has been called the <strong>‘Indian Napoleon’ </strong>by<strong> VA Smith</strong> because of his extensive military conquests. He assumed the titles of Vikramanka and Kaviraja. His campaigns are mentioned in<strong> the Eran inscription</strong> (Madhya Pradesh). Virasen was his commander-in-chief during the Southern campaign. Vasubandhu, a famous Buddhist scholar was his minister. He subjugated 5 kingdoms in lower Bengal, upper Assam, Nepal and the territories further west as well as a number of republican clans. Some coins of the Samudragupta represent him as playing on the Veena. He also performed Ashvamedha sacrifice. He was a devotee of Vishnu though a follower of the Brahmanical religion, he was tolerant of other faiths he granted permission to the Buddhist king of Ceylon, Meghavarman, to build a monastery at Bodh Gaya.</p>

<h2 id="content-id-1923-3"><strong>Chandra Gupta II (AD 380-412)</strong></h2>

<p>Samudra Gupta was succeeded by Chandra Gupta II (Chandragupta Vikramaditya) around AD 375. However, some historians put Ramagupta between Samudra Gupta and Chandra Gupta II. In the play Devichandraguptam of Visakhadatta, Ramagupta is the elder brother of Chandra Gupta II. It was during the rule of Ramagupta that Shakas attacked the Gupta Empire. Finding his position precarious, Ramagupta agreed to surrender Queen Dhruvadeyi to a Shaka ruler. Chandra Gupta II objected to it and saved the honour of the family by killing the Shaka chief and rescuing Dhruvadevi. He, later on, married her. However, the Gupta records do not refer to Ramagupta. He issued silver coins (first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins) and adopted the title Vikramaditya and Sakari in memory of his victory. The Mehrauli iron pillar inscription near Qutub Minar enumerates the exploits of a king called Chandra. During his reign, the Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hein (399-414) visited India.</p>

<h2 id="content-id-1923-4"><strong>Kumaragupta I</strong></h2>

<p>Kumaragupta' was the son and successor of Chandragupta. Adopted the titles of ‘<strong>Shakraditya</strong>’ and ‘<strong>Mahendraditya</strong>’. Performed ‘<strong>Asvamedha</strong>’ sacrifices. Most importantly, he laid the foundation of <strong>Nalanda University</strong> which emerged as an institution of international reputation. At the end of his reign, peace did not prevail on the north west frontier due to the invasion of the Huns of Central Asia. After occupying Bacteria, the Huns crossed the Hindukush mountains, occupied Gandhara and entered India. Their first attack, during Kumaragupta’s reign, was made unsuccessful by prince Skandagupta. Kumaragupta adopted the title of 'Mahendraditya'. Kalidas (The Shakespeare of India) flourished in the reign of Kumaragupta. He was worshipper of Lord Kartikeya (son of Lord Shiva).</p>

<h2 id="content-id-1923-5"><strong>Skandagupta (Fall of Gupta empire)</strong></h2>

<p>He adopted the title ‘<strong>Vikramaditya</strong>’. Junagadh/Girnar inscription of his reign reveals that his governor Parnadatta repaired the Sudarshan lake. After Skandagupta’s death, many of his successors like Purugupta, Kumaragupta II, Budhagupta, Narasimhagupta, Kumaragupta II and Vishnugupta could not save the Gupta empire from the Huns. Ultimately, the Gupta power totally disappeared due to a variety of reasons. He faced Hunas (a fierce nomads of Central Asia) effectively. The weak successors of Skandagupta could not check the growing Huna power. Feudatories rose in Bihar, Bengal. Madhya Pradesh, Vallabhi etc.</p>

<h2 id="content-id-1923-6"><strong>Gupta arts and crafts</strong></h2>

<p>Places like Ajanta, Ellora, Mathura, Sarnath; and Anuradhapura and Sigiriya in Sri Lanka bear examples of Gupta art and architecture. In art, architecture, sculpture, painting and terracotta figurines, the Gupta period witnessed dented activities and development all over India. That is why the Ancient period is also referred to as the Golden Age of India. The brick temples of the Gupta period include those in Bhitargaon Kanpur, Bhitari in Ghazipur, Jhansi. The Buddhist University at Nalanda was in the 5th century. The rock-cut architecture of the period is represented by two conventional types, the Chaityas and the Vihara. They are mostly found at Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh and Udayagiri caves of Orissa.</p>

<p><u><strong>Literature:</strong></u> Sanskrit literature flourished under the Guptas. Kalidasa, the great poet, and playwright were in the court of Chandragupta V ikramaditya. He composed great epics such as Abhijnanashaakuntalam, Kumarasambhavam, Malavikagnimitram, Ritusamhara, Meghadootam, Vikramorvashiyam, and Raghuvamsham. The celebrated Sanskrit drama Mrichchhakatika was composed during this time. It is attributed to Shudraka. Poet Harisena also adorned the court of Chandragupta Vikramaditya. He wrote the Allahabad Prashasti (inscription). Vishnu Sharma of Panchatantra fame lived during this era. Kalidas, the great Sanskrit dramatist, belonged to this period. His books are Abhigyan Shakuntalam, Bhagavad Gita, Ritusamhara, Meghadutam, sambhavam, Malvikagnimitram, Raghwvamsa, Vikramovarshiyam etc.</p>

<p>After the fall of the Guptas, five major centres of power and their centres emerged in North India. These powers were: The Hunas, The Maukharis, The Maitrakas, The Pushyabhutis and the Gaudas.</p>

<h2 id="content-id-1923-7"><strong>Vardhan dynasty</strong></h2>

<p>The founder of the Vardhan dynasty was Pushyabhuti Vardhan.</p>

<h2 id="content-id-1923-8"><strong>Harshavardhana (AD 606-647)</strong></h2>

<p>Harshavardhana was born in 590 AD to King Prabhakaravardhana of Sthaneshwar (Thanesar, Haryana). He belonged to the Pushyabhuti also called the Vardhana dynasty. He was a Hindu who later embraced Mahayana Buddhism. He was married to Durgavati. He had a daughter and two sons. His daughter married a king of Vallabhi whereas his sons were killed by his own minister. Harshavardhana was the younger son of Prabhakaravardhana. Hiuen Tsang gave account of his reign, in his book, Si-Yu-Ki.Bana’s Harshacharita, inscriptions, coins and Harsha’s own writings i.e., Ratnavali, Priyadarshikaand Nagananda, are other authentic sources of Harsha’s era. Shashanka, the ruler of Gauda killed Grahavarman (Maukhari ruler) in alliance with Devaguptaand imprisoned his wife Rajyasri (Harsha’s Sister). Later Rajyavardhan Killed Devagupta, but was assassinated by Shashankain AD 606.</p>

<p>In ancient history, we learned about pre-historic era and developments in difference empire. We learned about Magadha, Mauryan and Gopta empire. Stay connected with us for more such blogs.</p>


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