text:
Gupta Empire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
"Golden age of India" redirects here. For that of Shah Jahan also known as the Golden age, see Mughal Empire.
[hide]This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Some of this article's listed sources may not be reliable. Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. (August 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
(Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Gupta Empire
319 CE–605 CE
Approximate extent of the Gupta territories (purple) in 375 CE.
Approximate extent of the Gupta territories (purple) in 450 CE.
Capital Pataliputra
Languages Sanskrit (literary and academic); Prakrit (vernacular)
Religion
Hinduism
Buddhism
Jainism
Government Monarchy
Maharajadhiraja
• 240s–280s Sri-Gupta
• 319–335 Chandragupta I
• 335-380 Samudragupta
• 380–415 Chandragupta II
• 540–550 Vishnu Gupta
Historical era Ancient India
• Established 319 CE
• Disestablished 605 CE
Area 3,500,000 km2 (1,400,000 sq mi)
Preceded by Succeeded by
Mahameghavahana dynasty
Kanva dynasty
Kushan Empire
Bharshiva dynasty
Western Satraps
Later Guptas
Maukhari
Maitraka
Pushyabhuti
Mathara dynasty
Varman dynasty
Kalachuris
Today part of
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Nepal
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire, which existed at its zenith from approximately 319 to 485 CE and covered much of the Indian subcontinent.[1] This period is called the Golden Age of India.[2][note 1] The ruling dynasty of the empire was founded by Sri Gupta; the most notable rulers of the dynasty were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II . The 5th-century CE Sanskrit poet Kalidasa credits the Guptas with having conquered about twenty-one kingdoms, both in and outside India, including the kingdoms of Parasikas, the Hunas, the Kambojas, tribes located in the west and east Oxus valleys, the Kinnaras, Kiratas, and others.[4][non-primary source needed]
The high points of this period are the great cultural developments which took place during the reign of Chandragupta II. All literary sources, such as Mahabharata and Ramayana, were canonised during this period.[5] The Gupta period produced scholars such as Kalidasa, Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Vishnu Sharma and Vatsyayana who made great advancements in many academic fields.[6][7] Science and political administration reached new heights during the Gupta era. The period gave rise to achievements in architecture, sculpture, and painting that "set standards of form and taste [that] determined the whole subsequent course of art, not only in India but far beyond her borders".[8] Strong trade ties also made the region an important cultural center and established the region as a base that would influence nearby kingdoms and regions in Burma, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.[9][unreliable source?] The Puranas, earlier long poems on a variety of subjects, are also thought to have been committed to written texts around this period.[10]
The empire gradually declined because of many factors such as substantial loss of territory and imperial authority caused by their own erstwhile feudatories, as well as the invasion by the Huna peoples (Kidarites and Alchon Huns) from Central Asia.[11][12] After the collapse of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century, India was again ruled by numerous regional kingdoms. A minor line of the Gupta clan continued to rule Magadha after the disintegration of the empire. These Guptas were ultimately ousted by the Vardhana ruler Harsha, who established his empire in the first half of the 7th century.[citation needed]
Contents
[hide]
1 Origin
1.1 Original homeland of the Guptas
2 History
2.1 Srigupta and Ghatotkacha
2.2 Chandragupta I
2.3 Samudragupta
2.4 Ramagupta
2.5 Chandragupta II "Vikramaditya"
2.5.1 Chandragupta II's Campaigns against Foreign Tribes
2.5.2 Faxian
2.6 Kumaragupta I
2.7 Skandagupta
2.8 Decline of the empire
3 Military organization
4 Religion
5 Gupta administration
6 Legacy of the Gupta Empire
7 Art and architecture
8 See also
9 Notes
10 References
11 External links
Origin[edit]
Main article: Origin of the Gupta dynasty
Gupta Empire
320 CE–550 CE
Sri Gupta (240 – 280)
Ghatotkacha (280 – 319)
Chandragupta I (320 – 335)
Kachagupta (335)
Samudragupta (335 – 380)
Ramagupta
Chandragupta II (380 – 413/415)
Kumaragupta I (415 – 455)
Skandagupta (455 - 467)
Purugupta (467 – 473)
Kumaragupta II (473 - 476)
Budhagupta (476 – 495)
Narasimhagupta (495 – ?)
(Bhanugupta) (circa 510)
Vainyagupta (circa 507)
Kumaragupta III (circa 530)
Vishnugupta (540 – 550)
v
t
e
According to many historians, the Gupta dynasty was a Jat[13] or Vaishya dynasty.[14][15] Historian Ram Sharan Sharma asserts that the Vaishya Guptas "appeared as a reaction against oppressive rulers".[16] A.S. Altekar, a historian and archaeologist, who has written several books on Gupta coinage,[17] also regarded the caste of the Guptas as Vaishya on the basis of the ancient Indian texts on law, which associate the Gupta name suffix with a member of the Vaishya caste. According to historian Michael C. Brannigan, the rise of the Gupta Empire was one of the most prominent violations of the caste system in ancient India.[15]
Most of historians justify Gupta's as Dharan gotra Jats. K P Jaiswal (most important historian of gupta dynasty) refer Gupta's as Jat.Dashrath sharma, Tejram Sharma[18], B G Gokhale and many other historians are agree with him. Chandragiri Vyakaran, Arya Manju shri Kalp mool grantha also refers Guptas as Jat.[19]. Furthermore, it is not yet discovered whether the term Gupta indicated a surname of a specific family or referred to a clan. But Gupta's inscription now stated them clearly Dharan gotri. So Jat origin is most justifiable.[20] However Gupta Empire records and Chinese records provided by the later I-Tsing, furnished the names of the first three rulers of the Gupta Dynasty: Maharaja Sri Gupta, Maharaja Sri Ghatotkacha and Ghatotokacha's son, and Maharajadhiraja Sri Chandragupta, who is considered the first Gupta emperor. Recently, the historian Ashvini Agarwal, on the basis of the matrimonial alliances of the Guptas with the Vakataka, assumed that they belong to the Brahmin caste.[21] Another modern historian, S. Chattopaddhyaya, has put forth a different theory about the ancestry of the Guptas. According to him, in the Panchobh Copper Plate, some kings bearing the title Guptas and related to the imperial Gupta Dynasty, claimed themselves as Vaishyas. Nepalese historian D. R. Regmi says that the imperial Guptas were descendants of Abhira Guptas who had ruled the Kathmandu valley in present-day Nepal.[22][23]
Original homeland of the Guptas[edit]
There is controversy among scholars about the original homeland of the Guptas. Jayaswal has pointed out that the Guptas were originally inhabitants of Prayaga (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, in north India, as the vassal of the Nagas or Bhaarshivas. Thereafter they rose in prominence. Another scholar, Gayal supported the theory of Jayaswal, suggesting that the original home of the Guptas was Antarvedi and embracing the regions of Oudh and Prayag. These historians have derived their theory from several Gupta Dynasty coins found in those regions, and this study of numismatic evidence led to the theory that the Guptas were the original inhabitants of that region of northeastern India. However, another historian of this time in Indian history, D. K. Ganguly, has offered a different view about the original Gupta homeland. According to him the Guptas' homeland is further south, the Murshidabad region of Bengal, and not Magadha in Bihar. He based his theory on the statement of the Chinese Buddhist monk, Yijing (I-Tsing), who visited India during 675 and 695 CE. J. F. Fleet and other historians, however, criticize Ganguly's theory because Sri Gupta ruled during the end of the 3rd century, but Yijing placed him at the end of the 2nd century. Hence the theory of historians, who have provided their views based on the accounts of Yijing, are considered less valid than theories based on other sources such as coinage.
From these theories, several conflicting opinions about the original homeland and the Empire of the Guptas are available. According to John Allan and a few other scholars, the Guptas were initially concentrated in the region of Magadha and from there they extended their sway to Bengal. According to other groups, the original homeland of the Guptas was Varendri or the Varendra Bhumi in Bengal, wherefrom they extended their Empire to Magadha. Whatever the theory is, the rule of the Guptas initiated the Golden Age in history of ancient India and with passage of time they became the sole authority of entire Northern India.
Bengali historians like HC Raychoudhuri the Guptas originated from the Varendri region which is now part of Rangpur and Rajshahi Division of modern-day Bangladesh. D.C. Ganguly, on the other hand, considers the surrounding region of Murshidabad as the original home of the Guptas.[24]
History[edit]
Srigupta and Ghatotkacha[edit]
The most likely time for the reign of Sri Gupta is c. 240–280.[25] The Murundas, who were feudal lords of Kushans, provided or granted land to Sri Gupta. He can be considered the first person of Gupta's empire, but not the founder of the empire. His son and successor Ghatotkacha ruled presumably from c. 280–319. He challenged other feudal lords and conquered their lands. In contrast to his successor, Chandragupta I, who is mentioned as Maharajadhiraja, he and his son Ghatotkacha are referred to in inscriptions as Maharaja.[26] At the beginning of the 4th century, the Guptas established and ruled a few small Hindu kingdoms in Magadha and around modern-day Bihar.
Yijing[27] also mentioned Sri Gupta in his writings. He was succeeded by his son Ghatotkacha.
Chandragupta I[edit]
Main article: Chandragupta I
Queen Kumaradevi and King Chandragupta I, depicted on a coin of their son Samudragupta, 335–380.
Ghatotkacha reigned from about 280 CE to 319 CE, and had a son named Chandragupta (reigned c. 320–335 CE) His son is not to be confused with Chandragupta Maurya (322–298 BCE), founder of the Mauryan Empire. In a breakthrough deal, Chandragupta was married to Kumaradevi, a Lichchhavi princess—the main power in Magadha. With a dowry of the kingdom of Magadha (capital Pataliputra) and an alliance with the Licchavis of Nepal, Chandragupta set about expanding his power, conquering much of Magadha, Prayaga, and Saketa. He established a realm stretching from the Ganges River to Prayaga (modern-day Allahabad) by 321. He assumed the imperial title of Maharajadhiraja. He expanded his empire through marriage alliances.
Samudragupta[edit]
Main article: Samudragupta
Coin of Samudragupta, with Garuda pillar. British Museum.
Samudragupta, Parakramanka succeeded his father in 335, and ruled for about 45 years, until his death in 380. He took the kingdoms of Ahichchhatra and Padmavati early in his reign. He then attacked the Malwas, the Yaudheyas, the Arjunayanas, the Maduras and the Abhiras, all of which were tribes in the area. By his death in 380, he had incorporated over twenty kingdoms into his realm and his rule extended from the Himalayas to the river Narmada and from the Brahmaputra to the Yamuna. He gave himself the titles King of Kings and World Monarch. Historian Vincent Smith described him as the "Indian Napoleon".[28] He performed Ashwamedha Yajna in which a horse with an army is sent to all the nearby territories of friends and foes. These territorial kings on arrival either accept the king's alliance, who is performing this Yajna, or fight if they do not. The stone replica of the horse, then prepared, is in the Lucknow Museum. The Samudragupta Prashasti inscribed on the Ashokan Pillar, now in Akbar’s Fort at Allahabad, is an authentic record of his exploits and his sway over most of the continent.
Samudragupta was not only a talented military leader but also a great patron of art and literature. He conquered what is now Kashmir and Afghanistan, enlarging the empire.[29] The critical scholars present in his court were Harishena, Vasubandhu, and Asanga. He was a poet and musician himself. He was a firm believer in Hinduism and is known to have worshipped Lord Vishnu. He was considerate of other religions and allowed Sri Lanka's Buddhist king Sirimeghvanna to build a monastery at Bodh Gaya. That monastery was called by Xuanzang as the Mahabodhi Sangharama.[30][unreliable source?] He provided a gold railing around the Bodhi Tree.
Ramagupta[edit]
Head of Tirthankara, Mathura Museum
Main article: Ramagupta
Although, the narrative of the Devichandragupta is not supported by any contemporary epigraphical evidence, the historicity of Rama Gupta is proved by his Durjanpur inscriptions on three Jaina images, where he is mentioned as the Maharajadhiraja. A large number of his copper coins also have been found from the Eran-Vidisha region and classified in five distinct types, which include the Garuda,[31] Garudadhvaja, lion and border legend types. The Brahmi legends on these coins are written in the early Gupta style.[32] In the opinion of art historian Dr. R. A. Agarawala, D. Litt., Rama Gupta may be the eldest son of Samudragupta. He became king because of being the eldest. It is possible that he was dethroned because of being considered unfit to rule, and his younger brother Chandragupta II took over.
Chandragupta II "Vikramaditya"[edit]
Main article: Chandragupta II
Krishna fighting the horse demon Keshi, 5th century
According to the Gupta records, amongst his sons, Samudragupta nominated prince Chandragupta II, born of queen Dattadevi, as his successor. Chandragupta II, Vikramaditya (the Sun of Power), ruled from 375 until 415. He married a Kadamba princess of Kuntala and of Naga lineage (Nāgakulotpannnā), Kuberanaga. His daughter Prabhavatigupta from this Naga queen was married to Rudrasena II, the Vakataka ruler of Deccan.[33] His son Kumaragupta I was married to a Kadamba princess of the Karnataka region. Chandragupta II expanded his realm westwards, defeating the Saka Western Kshatrapas of Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra in a campaign lasting until 409. His main opponent Rudrasimha III was defeated by 395, and he crushed the Bengal chiefdoms. This extended his control from coast to coast, established a second capital at Ujjain and was the high point of the empire.
Gold coins of Chandragupta II.
Despite the creation of the empire through war, the reign is remembered for its very influential style of Hindu art, literature, culture and science, especially during the reign of Chandragupta II. Some excellent works of Hindu art such as the panels at the Dashavatara Temple in Deogarh serve to illustrate the magnificence of Gupta art. Above all it was the synthesis of elements that gave Gupta art its distinctive flavour. During this period, the Guptas were supportive of thriving Buddhist and Jain cultures as well, and for this reason there is also a long history of non-Hindu Gupta period art. In particular, Gupta period Buddhist art was to be influential in most of East and Southeast Asia. Many advances were recorded by the Chinese scholar and traveller Faxian (Fa-hien) in his diary and published afterwards.
The court of Chandragupta was made even more illustrious by the fact that it was graced by the Navaratna (Nine Jewels), a group of nine who excelled in the literary arts. Amongst these men was the immortal Kālidāsa whose works dwarfed the works of many other literary geniuses, not only in his own age but in the years to come. Kalidasa was mainly known for his subtle exploitation of the shringara (romantic) element in his verse.
Chandragupta II's Campaigns against Foreign Tribes[edit]
The 4th century Sanskrit poet Kalidasa credits Chandragupta Vikramaditya with conquering about twenty one kingdoms, both in and outside India. After finishing his campaign in East and West India, Vikramaditya (Chandragupta II) proceeded northwards, subjugated the Parasikas, then the Hunas and the Kambojas tribes located in the west and east Oxus valleys respectively. Thereafter, the king proceeded into the Himalaya mountains to reduce the mountain tribes of the Kinnaras, Kiratas, as well as India proper.[4][non-primary source needed]
The Brihatkathamanjari of the Kashmiri writer Kshemendra states, King Vikramaditya (Chandragupta II) had "unburdened the sacred earth of the Barbarians like the Sakas, Mlecchas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Tusharas, Parasikas, Hunas, and others, by annihilating these sinful Mlecchas completely".[34][non-primary source needed][35][36][unreliable source?]
Faxian[edit]
Faxian (or Fa Hsien etc), a Chinese Buddhist, was one of the pilgrims who visited India during the reign of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II. He started his journey from China in 399 and reached India in 405. During his stay in India up to 411, he went on a pilgrimage to Mathura, Kannauj, Kapilavastu, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Kashi, and Rajagriha, and made careful observations about the empire's conditions. Faxian was pleased with the mildness of administration. The Penal Code was mild and offenses were punished by fines only. From his accounts, the Gupta Empire was a prosperous period. And until the Rome-China trade axis was broken with the fall of the Han dynasty, the Guptas' did indeed prosper. His writings form one of the most important sources for the history of this period.
Kumaragupta I[edit]
Main article: Kumaragupta I
Silver coin of the Gupta King Kumaragupta I (Coin of his Western territories, design derived from the Western Satraps).
Obv: Bust of king with crescents, with traces of corrupt Greek script.[37][38]
Rev: Garuda standing facing with spread wings. Brahmi legend: Parama-bhagavata rajadhiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya.
Chandragupta II was succeeded by his second son Kumaragupta I, born of Mahadevi Dhruvasvamini. Kumaragupta I assumed the title, Mahendraditya.[39] He ruled until 455. Towards the end of his reign a tribe in the Narmada valley, the Pushyamitras, rose in power to threaten the empire. The Kidarites as well probably confronted the Gupta Empire towards the end of the rule of Kumaragupta I, as his son Skandagupta mentions in the Bhitari pillar inscription his efforts at reshaping a country in disarray, through reorganization and military victories over the Pushyamitras and the Hunas.[40]
He was the founder of Nalanda University which on July 15, 2016 was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site.[41][42]
Skandagupta[edit]
Main article: Skandagupta
Skandagupta, son and successor of Kumaragupta I is generally considered to be the last of the great Gupta rulers. He assumed the titles of Vikramaditya and Kramaditya.[43] He defeated the Pushyamitra threat, but then was faced with invading Kidarites (sometimes described as the Hephthalites or "White Huns", known in India as the Sweta Huna), from the northwest.
He repelled a Huna attack around 455 CE, but the expense of the wars drained the empire's resources and contributed to its decline. The Bhitari Pillar inscription of Skandagupta, the successor of Chandragupta, recalls the near-annihilation of the Gupta Empire following the attacks of the Kidarites.[44] The Kidarites seem to have retained the western part of the Gupta Empire.[44]
Skandagupta died in 467 and was succeeded by his agnate brother Purugupta.[45]
Decline of the empire[edit]
The Alchon Huns under Toramana and his son Mihirakula (here depicted) gravely weakened the Gupta Empire.
Following Skandagupta's death, the empire was clearly in decline.[46] He was followed by Purugupta (467–473), Kumaragupta II (473–476), Budhagupta (476–495), Narasimhagupta (495—?), Kumaragupta III (530—540), Vishnugupta (540—550), two lesser known kings namely, Vainyagupta and Bhanugupta.
In the 480's the Alchon Huns under Toramana and Mihirakula broke through the Gupta defenses in the northwest, and much of the empire in the northwest was overrun by the Huns by 500. The empire disintegrated under the attacks of Toramana and his successor Mihirakula. It appears from inscriptions that the Guptas, although their power was much diminished, continued to resist the Huns. The Hun invader Toramana was defeated by Bhanugupta in 510.[47][48] The Huns were defeated and driven out of India in 528 by king Yashodharman from Malwa, and possibly Gupta emperor Narasimhagupta.[49]
The much-weakened Late Guptas, circa 550 CE.
These invasions, although only spanning a few decades, had long term effects on India, and in a sense brought an end to Classical Indian civilization.[50] Soon after the invasions, the Gupta Empire, already weakened by these invasions and the rise of local rulers such as Yashodharman, ended as well.[51] Following the invasions, northern India was left in disarray, with numerous smaller Indian powers emerging after the crumbling of the Guptas.[52] The Huna invasions are said to have seriously damaged India's trade with Europe and Central Asia.[50] In particular, Indo-Roman trade relations, which the Gupta Empire had greatly benefited from. The Guptas had been exporting numerous luxury products such as silk, leather goods, fur, iron products, ivory, pearl, and pepper from centers such as Nasik, Paithan, Pataliputra, and Benares. The Huna invasion probably disrupted these trade relations and the tax revenues that came with them.[53]
Furthermore, Indian urban culture was left in decline, and Buddhism, gravely weakened by the destruction of monasteries and the killing of monks, started to collapse.[50] Great centers of learning were destroyed, such as the city of Taxila, bringing cultural regression.[50] During their rule of 60 years, the Alchons are said to have altered the hierarchy of ruling families and the Indian cast system. For example, the Hunas are often said to have become the precursors of the Rajputs.[50]
The succession of the 6th-century Guptas is not entirely clear, but the tail end recognized ruler of the dynasty's main line was king Vishnugupta, reigning from 540 to 550. In addition to the Hun invasion, the factors, which contribute to the decline of the empire include competition from the Vakatakas and the rise of Yashodharman in Malwa.[54]
The last known inscription by a Gupta emperor is from the reign of Vishnugupta (the Damodarpur copper-plate inscription),[55] in which he makes a land grant in the area of Kotivarsha (Bangarh in West Bengal) in 542/543 CE.[56] This follows the occupation of most of northern and central India by the Aulikara ruler Yashodharman circa 532 CE.[56]
Military organization[edit]
This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Gold coin of Gupta era, depicting Gupta king Kumaragupta holding a bow.
Sculpture of Vishnu (red sandstone), 5th century CE
The Imperial Guptas couldn't have achieved their successes through force of arms without an efficient martial system. Historically, the best accounts of this not only come from the Indian sources themselves but from Chinese and Western observers. However, a contemporary Indian document, regarded as a military classic of the time, the Siva-Dhanur-veda, offers some insight into the military system of the Guptas.[citation needed]
The Guptas seem to have relied heavily on infantry archers, and the bow was one of the dominant weapons of their army. The Indian version of the longbow was composed of metal, or more typically bamboo, and fired a long bamboo cane arrow with a metal head.[citation needed] Unlike the composite bows of Western and Central Asian foes, bows of this design would be less prone to warping in the damp and moist conditions often prevalent to the region. The Indian longbow was reputedly a powerful weapon capable of great range and penetration and provided an effective counter to invading horse archers. Iron shafts were used against armored elephants and fire arrows were not part of the bowmen's arsenal, contrary to popular belief. India historically has had a prominent reputation for its steel weapons. One of these was the steel bow. Because of its high tensility, the steel bow was capable of long range and penetration of exceptionally thick armor. These were less common weapons than the bamboo design and found in the hands of noblemen rather than in the ranks. Archers were frequently protected by infantry equipped with shields, javelins, and longswords. The Guptas also had knowledge of siegecraft, catapults, and other sophisticated war machines.[citation needed]
The Guptas apparently showed little predilection for using horse archers, despite the fact these warriors were a primary component in the ranks of their Scythian, Parthian, and Hepthalite (Huna) enemies. However, the Gupta armies were probably better disciplined. Able commanders such as Samudragupta and Chandragupta II would have likely understood the need for combined armed tactics and proper logistical organization. Gupta military success likely stemmed from the concerted use of elephants, armored cavalry, steel bow and foot archers in tandem against both Hindu kingdoms and foreign armies invading from the Northwest. The Guptas also maintained a navy, allowing them to control regional waters.[citation needed]
The collapse of the Gupta Empire in the face of the Huna onslaught was due not directly to the inherent defects of the Gupta army, which after all had initially defeated these people under Skandagupta. More likely, internal dissolution sapped the ability of the Guptas to resist foreign invasion, as was simultaneously occurring in Western Europe and China.[citation needed]
During the reign of Chandragupta II, Gupta Empire maintained a large army consisting of 500,000 infantry, 50,000 cavalry, 20,000 charioteers and 10,000 elephants[citation needed] along with a powerful navy with more than 1200 ships[citation needed]. Chandragupta II controlled the whole of the Indian subcontinent[57]; the Gupta empire was the most powerful empire in the world during his reign, at a time when the Roman Empire in the West was in decline.[citation needed]
Religion[edit]
Meditating Buddha from the Gupta era, 5th century CE.
The Guptas were traditionally a baniya dynasty.[58] They were orthodox Hindus, but did not force their beliefs on the rest of the population, as Buddhism and Jainism also were encouraged.[59] Sanchi remained an important center of Buddhism.[59] Kumaragupta I (c. 414 – c. 455 CE) is said to have founded Nalanda.[59]
Some later rulers however seem to have especially favoured Buddhism. Narasimhagupta Baladitya (c. 495-?), according to contemporary writer Paramartha, was brought up under the influence of the Mahayanist philosopher, Vasubandhu.[58] He built a sangharama at Nalanda and also a 300 ft (91 m) high vihara with a Buddha statue within which, according to Xuanzang, resembled the "great Vihara built under the Bodhi tree". According to the Manjushrimulakalpa (c. 800 CE), king Narasimhsagupta became a Buddhist monk, and left the world through meditation (Dhyana).[58] The Chinese monk Xuanzang also noted that Narasimhagupta Baladitya's son, Vajra, who commissioned a sangharama as well, "possessed a heart firm in faith".[60]:45[61]:330
Gupta administration[edit]
A study of the epigraphical records of the Gupta empire shows that there was a hierarchy of administrative divisions from top to bottom. The empire was called by various names such as Rajya, Rashtra, Desha, Mandala, Prithvi and Avani. It was divided into 26 provinces, which were styled as Bhukti, Pradesha and Bhoga. Provinces were also divided into Vishayas and put under the control of the Vishayapatis. A Vishayapati administered the Vishaya with the help of the Adhikarana (council of representatives), which comprised four representatives: Nagarasreshesthi, Sarthavaha, Prathamakulike and Prathama Kayastha. A part of the Vishaya was called Vithi.[62] There were also trade links of Gupta business with the Roman empire.
Legacy of the Gupta Empire[edit]
Later image of Krishna and Radha playing chaturanga on an 8 × 8 Ashtāpada
Scholars of this period include Varahamihira and Aryabhata, who is believed to be the first to come up with the concept of zero, postulated the theory that the Earth moves round the Sun, and studied solar and lunar eclipses. Kalidasa, who was a great playwright, who wrote plays such as Shakuntala, and marked the highest point of Sanskrit literature is also said to have belonged to this period. The Sushruta Samhita, which is a Sanskrit redaction text on all of the major concepts of ayurvedic medicine with innovative chapters on surgery, dates to the Gupta period.
Chess is said to have originated in this period,[63] where its early form in the 6th century was known as caturaṅga, which translates as "four divisions [of the military]" – infantry, cavalry, elephantry, and chariotry – represented by the pieces that would evolve into the modern pawn, knight, rook, and bishop, respectively. Doctors also invented several medical instruments, and even performed operations. The Indian numerals which were the first positional base 10 numeral systems in the world originated from Gupta India. The ancient Gupta text Kama Sutra by the Indian scholar Vatsyayana is widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature . Aryabhata, a noted mathematician-astronomer of the Gupta period proposed that the earth is round and rotates about its own axis. He also discovered that the Moon and planets shine by reflected sunlight. Instead of the prevailing cosmogony in which eclipses were caused by pseudo-planetary nodes Rahu and Ketu, he explained eclipses in terms of shadows cast by and falling on Earth.[64]
Art and architecture[edit]
A tetrastyle prostyle Gupta period temple at Sanchi besides the Apsidal hall with Maurya foundation, an example of Buddhist architecture. 5th century CE.
The Gupta period is generally regarded as a classic peak of North Indian art for all the major religious groups. Although painting was evidently widespread, the surviving works are almost all religious sculpture. The period saw the emergence of the iconic carved stone deity in Hindu art, as well as the Buddha figure and Jain tirthankara figures, the latter often on a very large scale. The two great centres of sculpture were Mathura and Gandhara, the latter the centre of Greco-Buddhist art. Both exported sculpture to other parts of northern India. Unlike the preceding Kushan Empire there was no artistic depiction of the monarchs, even in the very fine Guptan coinage,[65] with the exception of some coins of the Western Satraps, or influenced by them.
The current structure of the Mahabodhi Temple dates to the Gupta era, 5th century CE. Marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
The most famous remaining monuments in a broadly Gupta style, the caves at Ajanta, Elephanta, and Ellora (respectively Buddhist, Hindu, and mixed including Jain) were in fact produced under later dynasties, but primarily reflect the monumentality and balance of Guptan style. Ajanta contains by far the most significant survivals of painting from this and the surrounding periods, showing a mature form which had probably had a long development, mainly in painting palaces.[66] The Hindu Udayagiri Caves actually record connections with the dynasty and its ministers,[67] and the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh is a major temple, one of the earliest to survive, with important sculpture.[68]
Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha (Ananta), Dashavatara Temple 5th century
Buddha from Sarnath, 5–6th century CE
The Colossal trimurti at the Elephanta Caves
Rock-cut temples at Ellora
Painting of Padmapani Cave 1 at Ajanta
See also[edit]
Later Gupta dynasty
Empire of Harsha
Notes[edit]
Jump up ^ Gupta Dynasty – MSN Encarta. Archived from the original on 1 November 2009.
Jump up ^ N. Jayapalan, History of India, Vol. I, (Atlantic Publishers, 2001), 130.
Jump up ^ Jha, D.N. (2002). Ancient India in Historical Outline. Delhi: Manohar Publishers and Distributors. pp. 149–173. ISBN 81-7304-285-3.
^ Jump up to: a b Raghu Vamsa v 4.60–75
Jump up ^ Gupta dynasty (Indian dynasty). Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2011-11-21.
Jump up ^ Mahajan, p. 540; Keay, 132, 145-154
Jump up ^ Gupta dynasty: empire in 4th century. Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2011-11-21.
Jump up ^ Harle, 87
Jump up ^ Trade | The Story of India – Photo Gallery. PBS. Retrieved on 2011-11-21.
Jump up ^ Harle, 87
Jump up ^ Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas, Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0592-5, pp.264–9
Jump up ^ Grousset, Rene (1970). The Empire of the Steppes. Rutgers University Press. p. 69. ISBN 0-8135-1304-9.
Jump up ^ [1]
Jump up ^ Nehra, R.K. Hinduism and Its Military Ethos. Lancer Publishers,2010. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
^ Jump up to: a b Brannigan, Michael C. Striking a Balance: A Primer in Traditional Asian Values. Rowman & Littlefield, 2010. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
Jump up ^ Sharma, R.S. Early Medieval Indian Society: A Study in Feudalisation. Orient Blackswan. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
Jump up ^ List of Altekar's publications in the Open Library.
Jump up ^ [2]
Jump up ^ [3]
Jump up ^ [4]
Jump up ^ Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas, Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0592-5, pp.82-4
Jump up ^ Human rights in the Hindu-Buddhist tradition By Lal Deosa Rai, Page no.155 [5]
Jump up ^ "Inscriptions of Ancient Nepal: Inscriptions". google.com.
Jump up ^ "Gupta Rule". banglapedia.org.
Jump up ^ Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas, Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0592-5, pp.84–7
Jump up ^ Majumdar, p. 474
Jump up ^ "Founder of the Gupta Empire Maharaja Sri Gupta". theindianhistory.org.
Jump up ^ Smith, Vincent A. (1999). The Early History of India: From 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest. Atlantic. p. 289. ISBN 81-7156-618-9.
Jump up ^ The Gupta Polity, pp.199
Jump up ^ Mahajan, p. 487
Jump up ^ Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 153–9. ISBN 81-208-0592-5.
Jump up ^ Bajpai, K.D. (2004). Indian Numismatic Studies. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. pp. 120–1. ISBN 81-7017-035-4.
Jump up ^ Raychaudhuri, p. 489
Jump up ^ ata shrivikramadityo helya nirjitakhilah Mlechchana Kamboja. Yavanan neechan Hunan Sabarbran Tushara. Parsikaanshcha tayakatacharan vishrankhalan hatya bhrubhangamatreyanah bhuvo bharamavarayate (Brahata Katha, 10/1/285-86, Kshmendra).
Jump up ^ Kathasritsagara 18.1.76–78
Jump up ^ Cf:"In the story contained in Kathasarit-sagara, king Vikarmaditya is said to have destroyed all the barbarous tribes such as the Kambojas, Yavanas, Hunas, Tokharas and the, National Council of Teachers of English Committee on Recreational Reading – Sanskrit language.
Jump up ^ Prasanna Rao Bandela (1 January 2003). Coin splendour: a journey into the past. Abhinav Publications. pp. 112–. ISBN 978-81-7017-427-1. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
Jump up ^ "Evidence of the conquest of Saurastra during the reign of Chandragupta II is to be seen in his rare silver coins which are more directly imitated from those of the Western Satraps... they retain some traces of the old inscriptions in Greek characters, while on the reverse, they substitute the Gupta type (a peacock) for the chaitya with crescent and star." in Rapson "A catalogue of Indian coins in the British Museum. The Andhras etc...", p.cli
Jump up ^ Agarwal, Ashvini (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas, Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0592-5, pp.191–200
Jump up ^ History of Civilizations of Central Asia, Ahmad Hasan Dani, B. A. Litvinsky, Unesco p.119 sq
Jump up ^ http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php?id=1489
Jump up ^ "Nalanda University Ruins | Nalanda Travel Guide | Ancient Nalanda Site". Travel News India. 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
Jump up ^ Raychaudhuri, p. 510
^ Jump up to: a b The Huns, Hyun Jin Kim, Routledge, 2015 p.50 sq
Jump up ^ Raychaudhuri, p. 516
Jump up ^ Sachchidananda Bhattacharya, Gupta dynasty, A dictionary of Indian history, (George Braziller, Inc., 1967), 393.
Jump up ^ Ancient Indian History and Civilization by Sailendra Nath Sen p.220
Jump up ^ Encyclopaedia of Indian Events & Dates by S. B. Bhattacherje p.A15
Jump up ^ Columbia Encyclopedia
^ Jump up to: a b c d e The First Spring: The Golden Age of India by Abraham Eraly p.48 sq
Jump up ^ Ancient Indian History and Civilization by Sailendra Nath Sen p.221
Jump up ^ A Comprehensive History Of Ancient India p.174
Jump up ^ Longman History & Civics ICSE 9 by Singh p.81
Jump up ^ Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. New Delhi: Pearson Education. p. 480. ISBN 978-81-317-1677-9.
Jump up ^ Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum Vol.3 (inscriptions Of The Early Gupta Kings) p.362
^ Jump up to: a b Indian Esoteric Buddhism: Social History of the Tantric Movement by Ronald M. Davidson p.31
Jump up ^ Gupta Dynasty – MSN Encarta. Archived from the original on 1 November 2009.
^ Jump up to: a b c A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh p.521
^ Jump up to: a b c The Gupta Empire by Radhakumud Mookerji p.133 sq
Jump up ^ Sankalia, Hasmukhlal Dhirajlal (1934). The University of Nālandā. B. G. Paul & co.
Jump up ^ Sukumar Dutt (1988) [First published in 1962]. Buddhist Monks And Monasteries of India: Their History And Contribution To Indian Culture. George Allen and Unwin Ltd, London. ISBN 81-208-0498-8.
Jump up ^ Mahajan, pp. 530–1
Jump up ^ Murray, H. J. R. (1913). A History of Chess. Benjamin Press (originally published by Oxford University Press). ISBN 0-936317-01-9. OCLC 13472872.
Jump up ^ Thomas Khoshy, Elementary Number Theory with Applications, Academic Press, 2002, p. 567. ISBN 0-12-421171-2.
Jump up ^ Harle, 87-89
Jump up ^ Harle, respectively 118-122, 123-126, 129-135
Jump up ^ Harle, 92-97
Jump up ^ Harle, 113-114
References[edit]
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Gupta.
Harle, J.C. (1994). The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, 2nd ed., Yale University Press Pelican History of Art, ISBN 0300062176
Keay, John, India, a History, 2000, HarperCollins, ISBN 0002557177
Majumdar, R.C. (1977). Ancient India, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0436-8
Mahajan, Vidya Dhar, A History of India, 1990, State Mutual Book & Periodical Service, ISBN 0785511911, 9780785511915
Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). Political History of Ancient India, Calcutta: University of Calcutta, ISBN 1-4400-5272-7
Tej Ram Sharma (1978). Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptions. Concept Publishing Co., Delhi.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gupta Empire.
Jump up ^ An idea contested by D. N. Jha.[3]
Coins of Gupta Empire
Photo Feature on Gupta Period Art
Preceded by
Kanva dynasty Magadha dynasties
CE 240–550 Succeeded by
possibly Pala dynasty
[show]
v
t
e
Middle kingdoms of India
Timeline and
cultural period
Northwestern India
(Punjab-Sapta Sindhu)
Indo-Gangetic Plain Central India Southern India
Western Gangetic Plain
(Kuru-Panchala)
Northern India
(Central Gangetic Plain)
Northeastern India
(Northeast India)
IRON AGE
Culture Late Vedic Period Late Vedic Period
(Brahmin ideology)[a]
Painted Grey Ware culture
Late Vedic Period
(Kshatriya/Shramanic culture)[b]
Northern Black Polished Ware
Pre-history
6th century BC Gandhara Kuru-Panchala Magadha Adivasi (tribes)
Culture Persian-Greek influences "Second Urbanisation"
Rise of Shramana movements
Jainism - Buddhism - Ājīvika - Yoga
Pre-history
5th century BC (Persian rule) Shishunaga dynasty Adivasi (tribes)
4th century BC (Greek conquests)
Nanda empire
Kalinga
HISTORICAL AGE
Culture Spread of Buddhism Pre-history Sangam period
(300 BC – 200 AD)
3rd century BC Maurya Empire Early Cholas
Early Pandyan Kingdom
Satavahana dynasty
Cheras
46 other small kingdoms in Ancient Thamizhagam
Culture Preclassical Hinduism[c] - "Hindu Synthesis"[d] (ca. 200 BC - 300 AD)[e][f]
Epics - Puranas - Ramayana - Mahabharata - Bhagavad Gita - Brahma Sutras - Smarta Tradition
Mahayana Buddhism Sangam period
(continued)
(300 BC – 200 AD)
2nd century BC Indo-Greek Kingdom Shunga Empire
Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty
Early Cholas
Early Pandyan Kingdom
Satavahana dynasty
Cheras
46 other small kingdoms in Ancient Thamizhagam
1st century BC
1st century AD
Indo-Scythians
Indo-Parthians
Kuninda Kingdom
2nd century Kushan Empire
3rd century Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom Kushan Empire Western Satraps Kamarupa kingdom Kalabhra dynasty
Pandyan Kingdom(Under Kalabhras)
Culture "Golden Age of Hinduism"(ca. AD 320-650)[g]
Puranas
Co-existence of Hinduism and Buddhism
4th century Kidarites Gupta Empire
Varman dynasty
Kalabhra dynasty
Pandyan Kingdom(Under Kalabhras)
Kadamba Dynasty
Western Ganga Dynasty
5th century Hephthalite Empire Alchon Huns Kalabhra dynasty
Pandyan Kingdom(Under Kalabhras)
Vishnukundina
6th century Nezak Huns
Kabul Shahi
Maitraka Adivasi (tribes) Badami Chalukyas
Kalabhra dynasty
Pandyan Kingdom(Under Kalabhras)
Culture Late-Classical Hinduism (ca. AD 650-1100)[h]
Advaita Vedanta - Tantra
Decline of Buddhism in India
7th century Indo-Sassanids Vakataka dynasty
Empire of Harsha Mlechchha dynasty Adivasi (tribes) Pandyan Kingdom(Under Kalabhras)
Pandyan Kingdom(Revival)
Pallava
8th century Kabul Shahi Pala Empire Pandyan Kingdom
Kalachuri
9th century Gurjara-Pratihara Rashtrakuta dynasty
Pandyan Kingdom
Medieval Cholas
Pandyan Kingdom(Under Cholas)
Chera Perumals of Makkotai
10th century Ghaznavids Pala dynasty
Kamboja-Pala dynasty
Kalyani Chalukyas
Medieval Cholas
Pandyan Kingdom(Under Cholas)
Chera Perumals of Makkotai
Rashtrakuta
References and sources for table [hide]
References
Jump up ^ Samuel
Jump up ^ Samuel
Jump up ^ Michaels (2004) p.39
Jump up ^ Hiltebeitel (2002)
Jump up ^ Michaels (2004) p.39
Jump up ^ Hiltebeitel (2002)
Jump up ^ Micheals (2004) p.40
Jump up ^ Michaels (2004) p.41
Sources
Flood, Gavin D. (1996), An Introduction to Hinduism, Cambridge University Press
Hiltebeitel, Alf (2002), Hinduism. In: Joseph Kitagawa, "The Religious Traditions of Asia: Religion, History, and Culture", Routledge
Michaels, Axel (2004), Hinduism. Past and present, Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press
Samuel, Geoffrey (2010), The Origins of Yoga and Tantra. Indic Religions to the Thirteenth Century, Cambridge University Press
[show]
v
t
e
Empires
Ancient
Akkadian
Egyptian
Assyrian
Babylonian
Carthaginian
Chinese
Qin
Han
Jin
Northern Wei
Hellenistic
Macedonian
Seleucid
Hittite
Indian
Nanda
Maurya
Satavahana
Shunga
Gupta
Harsha
Iranian
Median
Achaemenid
Parthian
Sasanian
Kushan
Mongol
Xianbei
Xiongnu
Roman
Western
Eastern
Teotihuacan
Post-classical
Arab
Rashidun
Umayyad
Abbasid
Fatimid
Córdoba
Aragonese
Angevin
Aztec
Benin
Bornu
Bruneian
Bulgarian
First
Second
Byzantine
Nicaea
Trebizond
Carolingian
Chinese
Sui
Tang
Song
Yuan
Ethiopian
Zagwe
Solomonic
Georgian
Hunnic
Inca
Indian
Chola
Gurjara-Pratihara
Pala
Eastern Ganga dynasty
Delhi
Vijayanagara
Iranian
Tahirid
Samanid
Buyid
Sallarid
Ziyarid
Kanem
Khmer
Latin
Majapahit
Malaccan
Mali
Mongol
Yuan
Golden Horde
Chagatai Khanate
Ilkhanate
Moroccan
Idrisid
Almoravid
Almohad
Marinid
North Sea
Oyo
Roman
Serbian
Somali
Ajuran
Ifatite
Adalite
Mogadishan
Warsangali
Songhai
Srivijaya
Tibetan
Turko-Persian
Ghaznavid
Great Seljuk
Khwarezmian
Timurid
Vietnamese
Ly
Tran
Le
Wagadou
Modern
Ashanti
Austrian
Austro-Hungarian
Brazilian
Central African
Chinese
Ming
Qing
China
Manchukuo
Ethiopian
French
First
Second
German
First/Old Reich
Second Reich
Third Reich
Haitian
First
Second
Indian
Maratha
Sikh
Mughal
British Raj
Iranian
Safavid
Afsharid
Zand
Qajar
Pahlavi
Japanese
Johor
Korean
Mexican
First
Second
Moroccan
Saadi
Alaouite
Russian
USSR
Somali
Gobroon
Majeerteen
Hobyo
Dervish
Swedish
Tongan
Turkish
Ottoman
Karaman
Ramazan
Vietnamese
Tay Son
Nguyen
Vietnam
Colonial
American
Belgian
British
English
Danish
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Omani
Norwegian
Portuguese
Spanish
Swedish
Lists
Empires
largest
ancient great powers
medieval great powers
modern great powers
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gupta_Empire&oldid=818930160"
Categories:
Former monarchies of Asia
Former countries in South Asia
Gupta Empire
Historical Hindu empires
Empires and kingdoms of India
Medieval India
History of Bengal
History of West Bengal
History of Bangladesh
History of Kolkata
History of Pakistan
Dynasties of India
Former empires
States and territories established in the 320s
States and territories disestablished in the 550s
4th-century establishments in India
550s disestablishments in Asia
6th-century disestablishments in India
Hidden categories:
Articles needing additional references from August 2016
All articles needing additional references
Articles lacking reliable references from August 2016
All articles lacking reliable references
Articles with multiple maintenance issues
Use dmy dates from March 2013
Use Indian English from December 2015
All Wikipedia articles written in Indian English
Former country articles requiring maintenance
All pages needing factual verification
Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from August 2016
Articles lacking reliable references from March 2016
All articles with unsourced statements
Articles with unsourced statements from December 2015
Articles needing additional references from January 2018
Articles with unsourced statements from January 2018
Articles with unsourced statements from May 2017
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Article
Talk
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
In other projects
Wikimedia Commons
Languages
Адыгэбзэ
Alemannisch
العربية
Aragonés
অসমীয়া
Asturianu
Azərbaycanca
تۆرکجه
বাংলা
Bân-lâm-gú
Башҡортса
Беларуская
Беларуская (тарашкевіца)
भोजपुरी
Български
Bosanski
Brezhoneg
Català
Čeština
Cymraeg
Dansk
Deutsch
Eesti
Ελληνικά
Español
Esperanto
Euskara
فارسی
Fiji Hindi
Føroyskt
Français
Galego
ગુજરાતી
한국어
Հայերեն
हिन्दी
Hrvatski
Ilokano
বিষ্ণুপ্রিয়া মণিপুরী
Bahasa Indonesia
Íslenska
Italiano
עברית
ಕನ್ನಡ
ქართული
Қазақша
Kiswahili
Latina
Latviešu
Lietuvių
Magyar
മലയാളം
मराठी
Bahasa Melayu
Nederlands
नेपाली
नेपाल भाषा
日本語
Norsk
Norsk nynorsk
Occitan
Oʻzbekcha/ўзбекча
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
پنجابی
Polski
Português
Română
Русиньскый
Русский
संस्कृतम्
Scots
සිංහල
Simple English
Slovenščina
کوردی
Српски / srpski
Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски
Suomi
Svenska
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
ไทย
Türkçe
Türkmençe
Українська
اردو
Vahcuengh
Tiếng Việt
Winaray
ייִדיש
粵語
Žemaitėška
中文
Kabɩyɛ
Edit links
This page was last edited on 6 January 2018, at 12:47.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Contact Wikipedia
Developers
Cookie statement
Mobile view
Enable previews

values: mw-page-base noprint

values: mw-head-base noprint

values: firstHeading firstHeading en

values: siteSub noprint

values: jump-to-nav mw-jump

attrs: role class

values:
note
hatnote navigation-not-searchable

value: img

value: td

value: span

attrs: class role tabindex

values: mw-collapsible-toggle button 0

attrs: class href

value: i

values: Help:Introduction to referencing with Wiki Markup/1

values: plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Refimprove

values: Text document with red question mark.svg

values: plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-unreliable_sources

values:
mw-collapsible
width:95%; margin: 0.2em 0;

values: plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-multiple_issues compact-ambox

values: text-align:center; line-height:1.2em; font-size:135%; font-weight:bold;

values: width:50px; border:0; vertical-align:middle; font-size:30%; line-height:105%;

values: vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; font-size:115%; border:0;

values: width:50px; border:0; vertical-align:middle; text-align:right; line-height:105%; font-size:30%;

values: width:100%; text-align:center; margin:0 auto; background:transparent;

values: vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; border-top:solid 1px #aaa; padding:0.2em 0em 0.2em 0em;

values: text-align:center; font-size:95%; padding:0.6em 0em 0.6em 0em;

values:
/wiki/Maharaja_%C5%9Ari_Gupta
mw-redirect
Maharaja Śri Gupta

values:
/wiki/Vishnu_Gupta_(Gupta_Empire)
mw-redirect
Vishnu Gupta (Gupta Empire)

values:
/wiki/Ancient_India
mw-redirect
Ancient India

values: List of countries and outlying territories by area

attrs: alt src width height data-file-width data-file-height

values: border:0; padding:0; vertical-align:middle; text-align:left;

values: width:100%; background: transparent; text-align:center; margin:0 auto; border:0;

values:
/wiki/Later_Guptas
mw-redirect
Later Guptas

values: border:0; padding:0; vertical-align:middle; text-align:right;

values: width:92%; background:transparent; text-align:center; margin:0 auto; border:0;

values: width:95%; background: transparent; text-align:center; margin:0 auto;

values: This claim needs references to reliable secondary sources. (August 2016)

values: noprint Inline-Template noprint Template-Fact

values: The material near this tag may rely on an unreliable source. (March 2016)

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (December 2015)

values:
noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact
white-space:nowrap;

values:
/wiki/File:ChandraguptaIIOnHorse.jpg
image
Chandragupta II horse type

values: Head of a Buddha statue, India, Mathura, Gupta period, 4th-5th century CE

values: float:right;clear:right;width:22.0em;margin:0 0 1.0em 1.0em;background:#f9f9f9;border:1px solid #aaa;padding:0.2em;border-spacing:0.4em 0;text-align:center;line-height:1.4em;font-size:88%

values:
/wiki/Indian_caste_system
mw-redirect
Indian caste system

values:
/wiki/I_Ching_(monk)
mw-redirect
I Ching (monk)

values:
/wiki/Ghatotkacha_(Gupta_Ruler)
mw-redirect
Ghatotkacha (Gupta Ruler)

values: Edit section: Original homeland of the Guptas

values:
/wiki/Maharaja_Sri-Gupta
mw-redirect
Maharaja Sri-Gupta

values:
/wiki/Mauryan_Empire
mw-redirect
Mauryan Empire

values:
/wiki/Patna,_India
mw-redirect
Patna, India

values:
/wiki/Ganges_River
mw-redirect
Ganges River

values:
/wiki/Mathura,_Uttar_Pradesh
mw-redirect
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

values:
/wiki/Brahmaputra_river
mw-redirect
Brahmaputra river

values:
/wiki/Yamuna_river
mw-redirect
Yamuna river

values: The material near this tag may rely on an unreliable source. (August 2016)

values:
/wiki/Mathura_Museum
mw-redirect
Mathura Museum

values: Edit section: Chandragupta II "Vikramaditya"

values:
/wiki/Western_Kshatrapas
mw-redirect
Western Kshatrapas

values: Edit section: Chandragupta II's Campaigns against Foreign Tribes

values:
/wiki/Kumara_Gupta_I
mw-redirect
Kumara Gupta I

values: Bhitari pillar inscription of Skandagupta

values:
/wiki/Nalanda_(university)
mw-redirect
Nalanda (university)

values:
/wiki/Huna_(people)
mw-redirect
Huna (people)

values:
/wiki/Classical_India
mw-redirect
Classical India

values:
/wiki/Cast_system
mw-redirect
Cast system

values: plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Unreferenced

values:
/wiki/Tensile_strength
mw-redirect
Tensile strength

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (May 2017)

values:
/wiki/Narasimhagupta_Baladitya
mw-redirect
Narasimhagupta Baladitya

values: Edit section: Legacy of the Gupta Empire

values:
/wiki/Sanskrit_literature
mw-redirect
Sanskrit literature

values: International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration

values:
/wiki/Numeral_systems
mw-redirect
Numeral systems

values:
/wiki/Human_sexual_behavior
mw-redirect
Human sexual behavior

values:
/wiki/Gupta_period
mw-redirect
Gupta period

values:
/wiki/Vishnu_Temple,_Deogarh
mw-redirect
Vishnu Temple, Deogarh

values:
/wiki/Dashavatara_Temple
mw-redirect
Dashavatara Temple

values:
nofollow
external text
//www.worldcat.org/oclc/13472872

values: -moz-column-width: 30em; -webkit-column-width: 30em; column-width: 30em; list-style-type: decimal;

values: Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition

values:
plainlinks hlist navbar mini
float:left; text-align:left

values:
/wiki/Sapta_Sindhu
mw-redirect
Sapta Sindhu

values: display: none; background-color: rgb(205, 205, 205);

values:
/wiki/Iron_Age_India
mw-redirect
Iron Age India

values: vertical-align: top; display: none; background-color: rgb(206, 212, 242);

values:
/wiki/Vedic_Period
mw-redirect
Vedic Period

values: display: none; background-color: rgb(152, 251, 152);

values:
/wiki/Nanda_Dynasty
mw-redirect
Nanda Dynasty

values:
/wiki/Kalinga_(historical_kingdom)
mw-redirect
Kalinga (historical kingdom)

values: display: none; background-color: rgb(206, 212, 242);

values:
/wiki/Chera_Dynasty
mw-redirect
Chera Dynasty

values:
/wiki/Smarta_Tradition
mw-redirect
Smarta Tradition

values:
/wiki/Mahayana_Buddhism
mw-redirect
Mahayana Buddhism

values:
/wiki/Maha-Meghavahana_Dynasty
mw-redirect
Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty

values:
/wiki/Pandyan_Kingdom
mw-redirect
Pandyan Kingdom

values:
/wiki/Kadamba_Dynasty
mw-redirect
Kadamba Dynasty

values:
/wiki/Western_Ganga_Dynasty
mw-redirect
Western Ganga Dynasty

values:
/wiki/Badami_Chalukyas
mw-redirect
Badami Chalukyas

values:
/wiki/Decline_of_Buddhism_in_India
mw-redirect
Decline of Buddhism in India

values:
/wiki/Kamboja-Pala_Dynasty_of_Bengal
mw-redirect
Kamboja-Pala Dynasty of Bengal

values:
/wiki/Kalyani_Chalukyas
mw-redirect
Kalyani Chalukyas

values: -moz-column-width: 15em; -webkit-column-width: 15em; column-width: 15em; list-style-type: lower-alpha;

values: margin:0.5em auto; min-width:50%; text-align:center; valign:middle;

values:
/wiki/Empire_of_Georgia
mw-redirect
Empire of Georgia

values:
/wiki/Hunnic_Empire
mw-redirect
Hunnic Empire

values:
/wiki/Turko-Persian_tradition
mw-redirect
Turko-Persian tradition

values:
/wiki/Tran_Dynasty
mw-redirect
Tran Dynasty

values:
/wiki/Later_Le_Dynasty
mw-redirect
Later Le Dynasty

values:
/wiki/Tay_Son_Dynasty
mw-redirect
Tay Son Dynasty

values:
/wiki/Nguyen_Dynasty
mw-redirect
Nguyen Dynasty

values:
/wiki/Belgian_colonial_empire
mw-redirect
Belgian colonial empire

values: Norwegian expansion during the Middle Ages

values: nowraplinks collapsible collapsed navbox-inner

values: Category:States and territories established in the 320s

values: Category:States and territories disestablished in the 550s

values: Category:4th-century establishments in India

values: Category:6th-century disestablishments in India

values: Category:Articles needing additional references from August 2016

values: Category:All articles needing additional references

values: Category:Articles lacking reliable references from August 2016

values: Category:All articles lacking reliable references

values: Category:Articles with multiple maintenance issues

values: Category:Use Indian English from December 2015

values: Category:All Wikipedia articles written in Indian English

values: Category:Former country articles requiring maintenance

values: Category:All pages needing factual verification

values: Category:Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from August 2016

values: Category:Articles lacking reliable references from March 2016

values: Category:All articles with unsourced statements

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from December 2015

values: Category:Articles needing additional references from January 2018

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from January 2018

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from May 2017

values: Discussion about edits from this IP address [ctrl-alt-n]

values: A list of edits made from this IP address [ctrl-alt-y]

values: You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory

values: You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [ctrl-alt-o]

values:
/wiki/Gupta_Empire
View the content page [ctrl-alt-c]
c

values: Discussion about the content page [ctrl-alt-t]

values: p-namespaces navigation vectorTabs p-namespaces-label

values:
p-variants
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-variants-label

values: Past revisions of this page [ctrl-alt-h]

values: p-views navigation vectorTabs p-views-label

values:
p-cactions
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-cactions-label

values:
mw-wiki-logo
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page

values:
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page [ctrl-alt-z]
z

values: Featured content – the best of Wikipedia

values: Find background information on current events

values:
/wiki/Special:Random
Load a random article [ctrl-alt-x]
x

values: portal navigation p-navigation p-navigation-label

values: Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia

values: About the project, what you can do, where to find things

values: A list of recent changes in the wiki [ctrl-alt-r]

values: portal navigation p-interaction p-interaction-label

values: List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [ctrl-alt-j]

values: Recent changes in pages linked from this page [ctrl-alt-k]

values:
/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard
Upload files [ctrl-alt-u]
u

values: A list of all special pages [ctrl-alt-q]

values: Permanent link to this revision of the page

values: Link to connected data repository item [ctrl-alt-g]

values: Printable version of this page [ctrl-alt-p]

values:
uls-settings-trigger
Language settings
0
button
true

values: Гупта империэ – Kabardian

values: إمبراطورية جوبتا – Arabic

values: গুপ্ত সাম্ৰাজ্য – Assamese

values: قوپتا ایمپیراتورلوغو – South Azerbaijani

values: গুপ্ত সাম্রাজ্য – Bangla

values: Гупта империяһы – Bashkir

values: Імперыя Гупта – Belarusian

values: Імпэрыя Гупта – Belarusian (Taraškievica orthography)

values: गुप्त साम्राज्य – Bhojpuri

values: Αυτοκρατορία Γκούπτα – Greek

values: امپراتوری گوپتا – Persian

values: interlanguage-link interwiki-fr badge-Q17437798 badge-goodarticle

values: ગુપ્ત સામ્રાજ્ય – Gujarati

values: Գուպտա կայսրություն – Armenian

values: गुप्त राजवंश – Hindi

values: গুপ্ত রাজবংশ – Bishnupriya

values: ממלכת גופטה – Hebrew

values: ಗುಪ್ತ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ – Kannada

values: გუპტას იმპერია – Georgian

values: Гупта империясы – Kazakh

values: ഗുപ്തസാമ്രാജ്യം – Malayalam

values: गुप्त साम्राज्य – Marathi

values:
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta%27s
Gupta's – Dutch
nl
nl
interlanguage-link-target

values: interlanguage-link interwiki-nl badge-Q17437796 badge-featuredarticle

values: गुप्त राजवंश – Nepali

values: गुप्त राजवंश – Newari

values:
https://nn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta
Gupta – Norwegian Nynorsk
nn
nn
interlanguage-link-target

values: ਗੁਪਤ ਸਾਮਰਾਜ – Punjabi

values: Держава Ґуптів – Rusyn

values: Государство Гуптов – Russian

values: गुप्तसाम्राज्यम् – Sanskrit

values: ගුප්ත රාජවංශය – Sinhala

values: ئیمپراتۆریەتیی گوپتا – Central Kurdish

values: Гупта царство – Serbian

values: interlanguage-link interwiki-fi badge-Q17559452 badge-recommendedarticle

values: குப்தப் பேரரசு – Tamil

values: గుప్త సామ్రాజ్యము – Telugu

values: จักรวรรดิคุปตะ – Thai

values: Імперія Гуптів – Ukrainian

values: interlanguage-link interwiki-uk badge-Q17437798 badge-goodarticle

values: گپتا سلطنت – Urdu

values: גופטא אימפעריע – Yiddish

values:
https://kbp.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta
Gupta – Kabiye
kbp
kbp
interlanguage-link-target

values: /static/images/wikimedia-button-1.5x.png 1.5x, /static/images/wikimedia-button-2x.png 2x

values: /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_132x47.png 1.5x, /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_176x62.png 2x

values:
suggestions
display: none; font-size: 13px;

values: mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-Gupta_Empire rootpage-Gupta_Empire skin-vector action-view