The Gupta and Post-Gupta Period – OAS/OCS Notes

This page covers the Gupta Empire and the Post-Gupta period for OAS prelims. It includes the major rulers, administration, economy, art, literature, science, and the rise of Harshavardhana. Focus on PYQ facts like Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Skandagupta, Harsha, and Hiuen-Tsang.

The Gupta Empire

Foundation and Early Rulers

Srigupta founded the Gupta dynasty. Chandragupta I was the first important ruler and the first to assume the title Maharaja Dhiraja. He was also the first Gupta ruler to issue coins and founded the Gupta Samvat in 319 AD. His wife was a Licchavi princess. SSC 2018 The Gupta dynasty ruled from 319 AD to 500 AD. CGPSC 2003

Samudragupta

Samudragupta is called the Napoleon of Ancient India. BPSC 2015 His achievements are recorded in the Allahabad Pillar inscription, composed by Harisena. SSC CGL 2019 He was also known as Prithivyah Pratham Veer. UPPSC (Pre) 2016 He granted permission to Meghverma of Sri Lanka to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya. CDS 2003

Chandragupta II

Chandragupta II was also known as Vikramaditya and Devagupta. He was the first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins and is known as the Saka conqueror. UP UDA/LDA (Pre) 2010 His second capital was Ujjain. RPSC 2008 Kalidasa, Aryabhatta, and other nine gems were in his court. SSC CGL 2016 Fa-hien visited India during his reign. SSC CPO 2008 He adopted the title Param Bhagavata. UPPSC (Pre) 2009 He killed Ramagupta, as mentioned in Devichandraguptam. UPRO/ARO (Pre) 2016

Kumaragupta and Skandagupta

Kumaragupta founded Nalanda University. BPSC 2015 He issued the largest varieties of coins. UPPSC (Mains) 2010 Skandagupta faced the first Huna invasion and defeated the Hunas. APSC 2017 The Bhitari Pillar inscription records his victory over the Hunas. UPRO/ARO (Pre) 2014 The last recognised Gupta king was Vishnugupta. SSC CGL 2019

Gupta Administration and Economy

Administration

The Gupta period was a kingship with the king as head. The main source of income was land revenue. CDS 2008 Kumaramatyas were important officers appointed directly by the king. CDS 2012 Land grants were elaborated, leading to feudalism. Forced labour, called Vishti, became common and was a source of income for the state. IAS (Pre) 2019 The terms Kulyavapa and Dronavapa denote land measurement. IAS (Pre) 2020 Halivakara was a plough tax. SSC CGL 2019 Irrigation tax was called Bidakabhagam. UPPSC (Mains) 2009

Economy, Coins, and Trade

The largest number of Gupta coins were issued in gold. SSC 2008 Gupta gold coins were called Dinara. UPPSC (Pre) 1992 Silver coins were called Rupaka. IAS (Pre) 1996 The Guptas issued the largest number of coins in gold. Trade was carried through ports like Tamralipti. IAS (Pre) 1999 Guilds were major institutions in manufacture and commerce. IAS (Pre) 2012 The Dashpur inscription reveals information about silk weavers guild. MPPSC 2020

Gupta Art, Literature, and Science

Art and Architecture

Ajanta caves were built during the Gupta period. SSC 2014 Bagh caves have the other surviving example of Gupta paintings. APSC 2017 The Gupta period marks the beginning of Indian temple architecture. UPPSC (Pre) 1992 Dashavatara temple and Bitargaon temple are Gupta-period structures. UPPSC (Pre) 1998 The rust-free iron pillar at Mehrauli belongs to the Gupta period. SSC 2012

Literature and Science

Kalidasa flourished during the Gupta period. CDS 2008 He wrote Kumarasambhava, Malvikagnimitram, and Abhigyan Shakuntalam. MPPSC (Pre) 2005 Aryabhatta was an Indian mathematician and astronomer who invented the decimal place value and explained the rotation of the earth. UPPSC (Pre) 2014 Varahamihira wrote Panchasiddhantika based on Greek astronomy. UPPSC (Pre) 2014 Sushruta is known for medicine during the Gupta period. IAS (Pre) 1996 Nalanda University was founded by Kumaragupta. BPSC 2015

The Post-Gupta Period

Harshavardhana and the Vardhan Dynasty

Pushyabhutivardhan founded the Vardhan dynasty in Thaneshwar. UPPSC (Pre) 1992 Harshavardhana shifted his capital from Thaneshwar to Kannauj. UPPSC (Pre) 1992 He organised religious conventions at Kannauj and Prayag. UPUDA/LDA (Pre) 2001 Hiuen-Tsang visited India during his reign. UPPSC 2012 Harsha's southward march was stopped by Pulakeshin II on the Narmada. IAS (Pre) 2003 The Aihole inscription mentions Pulakeshin II's success against Harsha. CDS 2010 Banabhatta wrote Harshacharit and was Harsha's court poet. SSC 1997 Harsha wrote Ratnavali, Nagananda, and Priyadarshika, but not Harshacharit. SSC CGL 2019

Other Post-Gupta Dynasties

The Maukhari dynasty ruled over much of Uttar Pradesh and Magadh. CGPSC (Pre) 2011 The Maitraka dynasty was founded by Bhataraka. CGPSC (Pre) 2011 The Gauda kingdom's capital was Karnasubarna. CGPSC (Pre) 2011 Shashank of Gauda cut the Bodhi tree. CGPSC (Pre) 2011 In the post-Gupta period, provinces were called Bhakti. CGPSC (Pre) 2011

OAS vs UPSC: Focus Areas

Odisha Angle

The source material for this chapter does not include Odisha-specific facts. For OAS, Odisha's ancient history is tested separately through Kharavela and Kalinga. Aspirants should not confuse Gupta-era sites with Odisha's Jain and Buddhist heritage.

Practice Questions