Gupta Empire (320 – 540 AD) in Indian History:
- Gupta Empire was founded by Sri Gupta.
- Ghatotkacha was the second ruler.
- Chandra Gupta I was the real founder of the Gupta Empire. He came to the throne in 320 AD.
- He was the first ruler to adopt the title Maharajadhiraja.
- He laid the foundation of Gupta Era on 26 February 320 AD.
- Samudra Gupta succeeded Chandragupta I in 335 AD.
- The Allahabad Pillar inscription composed by Harisena contains information about Samudragupta’s conquests.
- Allahabad Pillar inscription is also known as ‘Prayagaprasasti’.
- Samudra Gupta is also known as ‘Linchchavi Dauhitra’’. (son of the daughter Kumaradevi of Lichchavis)
- Samudra Gupta is described as ‘Indian Napoleon’ by V.A. Smith.
- Samudra Gupta composed ‘‘Vahukabita’’ and had the title ‘‘Kaviraja’’.
- Sanskrit was the court language of the Guptas.
- India became ‘‘Greater India’’ under Samudra Gupta.
- Samudra Gupta was an accomplished Veena player.
- Chandragupta II the greatest of Gupta rulers was popularly known as Vikramaditya.
- He adopted the title ‘Sakari’ after his victory over Rudradaman II of Gujarat.
- Fa hein, the Chinese traveller, visited India during his period.
- The exploits of Chandragupta II are glorified in an iron pillar inscription fixed near Qutub Minar.
- Chandragupta II adopted the title Vikramaditya as a mark of his victory over the Sakakshatraps.
- ‘Nine gems’ or ‘Navratnas’ was a famous Scholastic Assembly in the court of Chandragupta II. The members in the Ninegems were – Kalidasa, Kadakarbhara, Kshapanaka, Varahmihira, Vararuchi, Vethalabhatta, Dhanvantari, Ammarasimha, Sanku.
- Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son Kumaragupta I.
- Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the last great ruler of Gupta Empire.
- Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the only hero in Asia and Europe who defeated the Hunas in their glorious period.
- Vishnu Gupta was the last ruler who died in 570 AD.
- Mantriparishad assisted the king in administration.
- Most important Industry of the Gupta period was textile.
- Period of the Gupta is compared to ‘Periclean Age of Greece’, ‘Augustan Age of Rome’ and ‘Elzabethan Age of England’.
- Period of the Guptas is considered as the Golden Age in the history of India.
- Earlier Guptas had their capital at Prayag in Allahabad, later it was shifted to Ujjain by Chandragupta II.
- The most important officers in the Gupta empire were Kumaramatyas.
- The royal seal of the Guptas bore the emblem of Garuda.
- Aryabhatta was the first to treat Mathematics as a separate subject. He wrote Aryabhattiyam. Hebelonged to the Gupta period. Aryabhatta was the first to use Decimal System.
- Panchsidhanta, Brihat Jataka, Laghu Jataka and Brihat Samhita are the works of Varahamihira.
- The best specimen of the Gupta paintings are seen at Ajanta caves and the Bhaga caves.
- The Gupta period marked the beginning of Indian temple architecture.
- Guptas issued large number of gold coins in India.
- Guptas largely patronised art and architecture.
- Guptas patronised the Gandhara school of art, Madhura School of Art and the Andhra School of Art.
- The Fresco paintings in the Ajanta caves are examples of the art of the Guptas.
- The chief source of income was land revenue.
- The position of women declined during the Gupta period.
- A renowned physician of the Gupta period was Vaghbhatta
- Nalanda and Taxila were the two universities of this period.
- Kalidasa is generally called ‘‘Indian Shakespeare’ and the ‘Prince of Indian Poets’.
- Patanjali founded ‘Yoga Shastra’, a school of Hindu philosophy during this period.
Latest Govt Job & Exam Updates: