The Gupta Empire
I. Fill in the blanks.
1. Chandragupta I married the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi to enhance his position.
2. We learn about Samudragupta's conquests from the inscription named Prayag Prasasti.
3. Chandragupta adopted the title of Vikramaditya.
4. The king was assisted by mahadanayaka while administering justice.
5. The painting in the caves of Ajanta are the finest examples of the Buddhist art that flourished during the Gupta Age.
6. Samudragupta performed the Asvamedha yagna to celebrate his victory in the north-west and eastern part of the subcontinent.
7. Chandragupta I adopted the title of maharajadhiraja.
8. Skandagupta was successful in controlling the attacks of the Huns.
9. Chandragupta II was succeeded by Kumaragupta.
10. Nalanda University became the main centre of Buddhist learning and it was very popular during the reign of Harshvardhana.
11. Aryabhatta was the most famous mathematician and astronomer of the Gupta period.
12. Meghaduta was written by Kalidas.
13. The provinces in the Gupta Kingdom were further sub-divided into Vishyas.
II. Answer these questions.
1. Name at least three sources that give us information about the Gupta period.
= Three sources that gives us information about the Gupta period are - Prayag Prashasti by Harisena, Coins of Samudragupta, and paintings of Ajanta caves.
2. Explain the importance of the Allahabad inscription as a source of history of Samudragupta's reign.
= An inscription engraved on the Ashokan pillar at Allahabad, dating to fourth century CE, gives us information about Samudragupta's accession and conquests. The inscription is known as Prayag Prashasti.
The Prayag Prashasti is the most authentic information on Samudragupta. It was written in Sanskrit by the poet, Harisena. He has given details about Samudragupta's campaigns in different parts of India.
3. What information do we get from coins produced under the Guptas?
= Many of Samudragupta's coins show him playing veena (lute). This shows that he was a patron of art and music. He has also been described as Kaviraj. He promoted Sanskrit by patronizing prominent scholars such as Harisena.
4. Write a notes on the conquests of Samudragupta in the north and south India.
= Samudragupta defeated nine rulers in the north and established a firm control not only over the Gangetic valley but also over some adjacent regions.
Prayag Prashasti mentions that twelve rulers from South India were defeated by Samudragupta.
5. Why do you think Samudragupta did not annex the South Indian states?
= I think, Samudragupta did not annex the South Indian states as it was difficult to control them due to the lack of proper transport and communication. Hence, he released the defeated kings and made them his vassals. They agreed to pay him annual tributes.
6. What were the main features of the temple build by the Guptas?
= The temples built by Guptas were constructed around the garbha griha, or the room where the image of the deity was placed. It was here that the devotees offered prayers and religious rituals were performed. The temples at Deogarh and Bhitargaon are good examples of Gupta temples.
7. Write a note on the Gupta administration.
= The Gupta rulers had an elaborate administrative system that was in operation in areas directly controlled by them. They, however, did not interfere in the administration of those regions, where the kings had accepted their suzerainty.
❐ The king remained the central figure of administration and adopted high-sounding titles such as Chakravartin and Paramesvara.
❐ The king was assisted by a council of ministers or amatyas. He was also assisted by the mahadanayaka (the chief justice) on judicial matters.
❐ The Gupta kingdom was divided into a number of provinces or bhuktis for administrative convenience. The governor of bhuktis were called Uparika. Provinces were further sub-divided into vishyas placed under a Vishyapati. Below the vishya were the districts. The lowest unit of administration was the village. Villages were independently looked after by a headman. There also existed a spy system.
❐ The Guptas maintained a huge army which consisted elephants, cavalry, infantry and chariots.
8. What was the occupation of the people during the Gupta period?
= The main occupation of the people continued to be agriculture.
People were also engaged in trade and commerce. A flourishing trade was carried out with the countries of south-east Asia, Africa and Mediterranean region.
Besides, textile and craft industries were also well-developed.
9. Give some examples which show that the Gupta period witnessed scientific progress.
= A lot of scientific progress was made during the Gupta period.
❐ Aryabhatta was the most famous mathematician and astronomer of the Gupta Age. He made an accurate calculation of the length of a solar year, which is close to the recent studies. He also believed that the Earth was a sphere that rotated on its axis, and the shadow of the Earth falling on Moon caused eclipses.
❐ The decimal system was known in India at the beginning of the fifth century CE. Indians had also invented the concept of zero. This system of counting was adopted by the Arabs and from there it spread to Europe.
❐ In medicine, Charaka wrote a book on the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Vagabhata also wrote a book on the same. Sushruta wrote about important surgical and anatomical information of human body.
❐ The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli in Delhi is another example of Guptas' advancement in metallurgy. This pillar was made in the fourth century CE but has shown no sign of rust so far.
10. What were the religious practices of people during the Gupta period?
= These are some features of the religious life under the Gupta rulers:
❐ The Gupta kings were Vaishnavas or followers of Vishnu. They performed a number of religious sacrifices such as Asvamedha yajna. They built many temples and practiced idol worship.
❐ The emergence of the Bhakti cult, or intense devotion to a personal god, was the most striking feature of the Gupta Age. It was popular among the masses as it was simple and inexpensive.
❐ The Guptas themselves were followers of Brahminism but they never imposed their religion on the people. They encouraged promotion of all religions, including Buddhism and Jainism.
11. Explain the art and architecture of the Gupta period.
= The Gupta period was rich in art, architecture, literature, and science and technology. As a result, the period is often called the Golden Age of India.
In the Gupta period, beautiful images of Buddha were carved out at Sarnath and Mathura. But the greatest specimen of the Buddhist art in the Gupta Age is provided by the Ajanta paintings.
Most of the surviving works of the Gupta period include religious sculpture. The period is well known for Hindu deities carved out or stone, Buddha and Jain tirthankara figures. The two great centres of sculptures were Mathura and Gandhara.
12. What was the main factor that caused the decline of the Gupta Empire?
= The Gupta rulers succeeding Skandagupta were weak and inefficient. As a result, the provinces under the Guptas became independent and some of these provinces went under the control of the Huns. Decline had set in and by the mid-sixth century CE the mighty Gupta empire disintegrated into smaller kingdoms. Thaneshwar was one of them which was ruled by Prabhakar Vardhana. After his death, his son Harshvardhana became the ruler in the seventh century CE.
13. Name the two poets who were popular during the reign of the Gupta rulers.
=The name of the two poets who were popular during the reign of the Gupta rulers are - Kalidas and Shudraka.
III. State whether true or false.
1. The Gupta rulers were not tolerant to other religions. [F]
2. The Ramayan and Mahabharat were revised and rewritten during the Gupta period. [T]
3. The best example of the Buddhist art in Gupta times is reflected in the Ajanta paintings. [T]
4. The Gupta kings were followers of Shiva. [F]
5. After the decline of the Gupta Empire Harshvardhana became the ruler in the seventh century CE. [T]
IV. Match the columns.
=
|
1. Prayag Prashasti |
a. navaratna. [2] |
|
2. Kalidas |
b. son of Prabhakar Vardhana. [5] |
|
3. Chandragupta I |
c. Vikramaditya. [4] |
|
4. Chandragupta II |
d. received Pataliputra as dowry. [3] |
|
5. Harshvardhana |
e. Kaviraj. [6] |
|
6. Samudragupta |
f. Allahabad inscription. [1] |