✨ Gupta Era (Gupta Era) – The Golden Age of India 🏺📜
👉 From the 4th to 6th century, the Gupta Empire in North India established a golden era in politics, art, and culture. Its architecture, literature, and coinage gave India global recognition. 🏹👑
1️⃣ Rulers & Dynasty
- 🔹 Founder: Shri Gupta / Ghatotkacha (son)
- 🔹 Chandragupta I (319-334AD) – Maharajadhiraj, married Kumaradevi (Licchavi princess), start of Gupta Era (320AD), gold coins – Dinar
- 🔹 Samudragupta (335-380AD) – Greatest ruler, undefeated, described in Allahabad Pillar inscription, "Napoleon of India", Ashwamedha Yajna, coins depict him playing Veena
- 🔹 Chandragupta II (380-414AD) – Vikramaditya, ruled largest territory, silver coins, defeated Sakas, marital alliance (Prabhavati Gupta x Rudrasena II)
- 🔹 Kumaragupta I (415-455AD) – Faced Hun invasions, built Nalanda University
- 🔹 Skandagupta (455-461AD) – Successfully resisted the Huns
- ⭐️ Importance: Political stability and military strength made the Gupta Empire the golden era.
2️⃣ Administration & Governance (Administration & Governance)
- 🔹 Empire – Decentralized administration
- 🔹 Bhuktis – provincial divisions
- 🔹 Vishayas – district jurisdictions
- 🔹 Gam – village administration
- 🔹 Key officials: Kumarmatyas (provincial officers), Mahadandanayaka, Sandhivigrahika
- 🔹 Tax system:
- Bhaga: 1/6 of produce
- Bhoga: Goods for the king
- Uparikara: Additional tax
- Vishti: Forced labor
- Senabhakti: Military support
- ⭐️ Importance: Well-structured administration ensured prosperity and stability.
3️⃣ Society & Lifestyle (Society & Lifestyle)
- 🔹 Social structure: Varna system
- 🔹 Women's status: Held high positions
- 🔹 Educated and artisan classes in towns and villages
- ⭐️ Importance: Supported cultural growth and social prosperity.
4️⃣ Economy (Economy)
- 🔹 Gold and silver coins (Dinar, silver coins)
- 🔹 Agriculture – Bhaga, Bhoga, Uparikara
- 🔹 Trade – Internal and maritime trade
- ⭐️ Importance: Economic prosperity enabled growth of art and culture.
5️⃣ Culture, Religion & Art (Culture, Religion & Art)
- 🔹 Literature – Kalidasa: Abhijnanasakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram, Raghuvamsha, Meghaduta, Kumarasambhava, Ritusamhara
- 🔹 Drama – Sudraka’s Mrichchhakatikam (love story of Charudatta & Vasantasena)
- 🔹 Religion – Vishnu avatars, Krishna worship
- 🔹 Architecture – Varaha statue (Udayagiri, MP), Dashavatara Temple (Jhansi, UP), Bhitargaon Temple (Kanpur, UP)
- ⭐️ Importance: Golden contributions to art, literature, and religion.
6️⃣ Science & Technology (Science & Technology)
- 🔹 Architecture & Sculpture – Temples and inscriptions
- 🔹 Education – Construction of Nalanda University
- ⭐️ Importance: Center for knowledge and technological development.
📍 Important Sites / Evidence (Important Sites / Evidence)
- 🔹 Allahabad Pillar inscription – Description of Samudragupta
- 🔹 Mehrauli Iron Pillar
- 🔹 Udayagiri, Bhitargaon, Dashavatara Temple
- 🔹 Coins – Gold and silver
- ⭐️ Importance: Historical evidence demonstrates the power and prosperity of the Gupta Empire.
🏁 Conclusion (Conclusion)
- Gupta Era – Indian Golden Age: Excellence in literature, art, culture, and administration
- Evolution Line: Gupta Era → Post-Gupta Empire → Medieval India → Modern India 🇮🇳
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