- Warfare for Wealth
- Vedic life in India
- Vedic Age
- Varna system
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- Upanishads
- Trade and traders
- The Wise Beggar- Upanishad
- The Value of Paper
- The system of Ashrams
- The study of skeletons
- Gautama Buddha
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- The Story of Baryga
- The spread of Buddhism
- The Silk Route
- The Second Urbanisation
- The sangha
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- The beginning of Bhakti
- The “achievements” of Nagabhata
- Six Schools of Indian Philosophy
- Samudragupta the warrior
- Oracle bones
- New Social and Political Groups traces from history
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- Men as RULERS and KINGS
- Literature, art and books
- Legacy and Decline of the Gupta Empire
- Janapadas, Mahajanapadas
- Jainism
- Irrigation and villages during Ashoka
- Iron tools and agriculture in ancient India
- Inamgaon
- Harshavardhana and the Harshacharita
- Graves and Burials
- Early humans in INDIA (Locate)
- Ashoka’s war in Kalinga
- Ashoka’s inscription describing the Kalinga war
- Ashoka’s dhamma?
- Ashoka (a unique ruler)
- Arikamedu
- Archaeological evidences ?
- An Empire, Dynasty, and Kingdom
- Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari
- A poem about trade (class 6 NCERT)
- A description from the Silappadikaram
Mediveal Indian History
- Rise of Sultanate
- Zabt and Zamindars
- Who were the Tribal people?
- Who were the Mughals?
- The Watan Jagirs
- The tradition of Miniatures
- The three orders of Society
- The Rulers of Delhi
- The Reformation and Martin Luther
- The Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century
- The Maratha Kingdom-Shivaji
- The Jats (1680)
- The Idea of Supreme God in Ancient India
- The Gonds- A Closer Look
- The circle of justice: What Minhaj–Siraj thought about Raziyya
- The Ahoms from Brahmaputra Valley
- The “lost wax” technique
- Temple towns and Pilgrimage centres (Thanjavur)
- Taxes on markets, Traders Big and Small
- Religion in India After the 13th Century
- Provincial Kingdoms of Medieval India
- PIRS and temples
- Sultan Muhammad Tughluq
- Officers’ List in Mughal Empire
- Nathpanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis - the religious groups
- Mughal Relations with Other Rulers
- Mughal Military Campaigns
- Mughal marriages with the Rajputs
- Mughal Empire [Babur, Humayun] & Sur Dynasty
- Mughal Empire – Babur
- Mughal Emperors, Mughal Traditions of Succession
- Mansabdars and Jagirdars
- Mamluk Dynasty
- List of Officers in Delhi Sultanate
- Later Mughals & Decline of Mughal Empire
- Khilji Dynasty
- Kathak- Heroic tradition
- Jagannatha Cult-Indian Tradition
- Islam and Sufism
- India under the Mughals
- Humayun (1530-1556)
- Heroism and Rajputs
- Gardens, tombs and forts during the Mughals
- From Garrison Town to Empire: The Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate
- FISH as food
- Early Medieval Southern India (Imperial Cholas)
- Early Medieval Northern India
- Chieftains and their fortifications
- Cheras and Malayalam Language
- Bhakti Movement (8th to 18th Century)
- Baba Guru Nanak
- Arab and Turkish Invasions
- Akbar Successors
- Akbar (1556-1605)
- Administration under the Delhi Sultanate
- A Closer Look: The Cholas
- A Closer Look: Administration and Consolidation under the Khaljis and Tughluqs
Modern India History
- What Happened to the Court Artists?
- Freedom is our Birth Right
- Classical dances in India
- Why the Demand for Indian Indigo?
- What Happened to the Local Schools?
- Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
- Tipu Sultan- The Tiger of Mysore
- The sword of Tipu Sultan and Wootz steel
- The Emergence of Nationalism
- Social Customs in the early 19th century
- The Rise of Gandhi in Indian Freedom Struggle
- The Regulating Act of 1773
- The Permanent Settlement of Bengal
- The Lucknow Pact, 1916
- The Government of India Act 1919
- The Charter Act 1853
- Subsidiary Alliance
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- Revolt of 1857 – First War of Independence Against British
- Popular Uprisings in the 18th and 19th Centuries -Politico-Religious Movements
- Popular uprisings against the British by deposed Chieftains and Landlords
- Poona Pact
- Pitt’s India Act, 1784
- Peasant Movements in the 19th Century – Rangpur Dhing
- Peasant Movements in the 19th Century – Indigo Rebellion
- Peasant Movements in the 19th Century – Deccan Riots of 1875
- Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan – Early Years, Partition, Arrest and Exile
- Indian National Movement – Extremist Period
- Indian National Congress Sessions
- Indian National Army (INA)/Azad Hind Fauj
- Indian Independence Act 1947
- Indian Councils Act 1892
- Indian Councils Act 1861
- India’s Struggle for Independence – Nana Saheb
- Important Indian Freedom Fighters - Lala Lajpat Rai
- Home Rule Movement
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- Government of India Act 1858
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- Dr. B R Ambedkar
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- Charter Act of 1833
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- Causes of the Rise of the Indian National Movement
- Cabinet Mission
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- Bhagat Singh – Background, Contributions, Execution
- Battle of Plassey
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World History
- Athanaric
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- Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre.
- Great Wall of China and its convict-built protection.
- Ancient Egypt-Concept of life and death
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- Communities of the Caribbean and Brazil
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- Spain and Britain-Battle of the sea
- The Nagasaki Events and Hiroshima.
- Crusades and religions
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- The American Revolutionary War and its impact
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- Post-Lenin Russia
- Soviet Union (USSR)
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Civics
- Role of the Government in Health : Healthcare in India
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- Marriage: Definition and universality
- Social stratification
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- Rhodesian man
- Neanderthal Man- La-Chapelle-aux-saints (Classical type), Mt. Carmel (Progressive type).
- Comparative Anatomy of Man and Apes
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- Characteristics of Primates
- Linguistic Anthropology.
- Archaeological Anthropology
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Sociology
- Sociological Network
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- Indian Sociological Thinkers
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- Modernization of Indian tradition.
- Education and social change.
- Agents of social change.
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- Patriarchy and sexual division of labour.
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Performing Arts
- Odissi Dance
- Indian Classical Music – Hindustani
- Dhvani Siddhanta’ of Anandavardhanacharya
- Rasa and its constituent elements
- Sri Shankuka
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- Rasa Sutra of Bharata
- Nayaka–Nayika Bheda
- Natya, nritta and nritya
- Indian Classical Theatre
- Bharata’s Natyashastra
- Shilappadikaram: In terms of content, characters, and relevance to Indian Theatrical Practice
- Mahabharata: In terms of content, characters, and relevance to Indian Theatrical Practice
- Ramayana: In terms of content, characters, and relevance to Indian Theatrical Practice
- Cultural History of India
Biographies
- Benjamin Franklin
- Benazir Bhutto (1953 – 2007) Prime Minister of Pakistan 1993 – 1996
- Oprah Winfrey (1954 – ) American TV presenter, actress, entrepreneur
- Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) German composer
- Lyndon Johnson (1908 – 1973) US President 1963 – 1969
- Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005) American civil rights activist
- Pope Francis (1936 – ) First pope from the Americas
- Queen Victoria ( 1819 – 1901) British monarch 1837 – 1901
- Paul McCartney (1942 – ) British musician, member of Beatles
- Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) British Prime Minister during WWII
- Muhammad Ali (1942 – 2016) American Boxer and civil rights campaigner
- Bill Gates (1955 – ) American businessman, founder of Microsoft
- Donald Trump (1946 – ) Businessman, US President
- John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963) US President 1961 – 1963
- Marilyn Monroe (1926 – 1962) American actress, singer, model
- Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) Italian, painter, scientist, polymath
- Walt Disney
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- Indira Gandhi
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- Talcott Parsons
- Emile Durkheim
- Karl Marx
History of Art
- Mycenaean Culture & Art: History & Influence:
- Amarna Period: Definition & Art:
- The Luxor Temple in Egypt: Facts & Overview
- Queen Hatshepsut: Facts, Accomplishments & Death
- Ancient Egyptian Sculptures & Paintings: Innovation & Examples
- Egyptian Pyramids: Definition, Facts & Structure:
- Funerary Beliefs, Practices & Temples in Ancient Egypt:
- The Pharaohs as Patrons of the Arts
- Ancient Egyptian Art & Architecture: History, Politics & Culture:
- Assyrian Art and Architecture
- Art of the Babylonians: Style, Examples & Achievements
- Mesopotamian Art During the Akkadian Dynasty & Neo-Sumerian Period
- Sumerian Art and Architecture
- Human & Animal Forms in the Art of the Ancient Near East:
- Representation of Spiritual Beliefs in the Art of the Ancient Near East
- Artworks of the Ancient Near East: Materials, Forms & Functions
- Use of Naturalism & Stylization in Mesopotamian Art
- Art of the Ancient Near East: Periods & Characteristics:
- Mesopotamia: Culture, Facts & History:
- Art in the Neolithic Era: Innovations, Characteristics & Examples
- Cave Painting: History & Pictures:
- Art in the Upper Paleolithic Era: Examples & Style
- What Is a Medium in Art: Definition & Terms
- What is Western Civilization? - Definition & Overview
- Why do Humans Make Art? - History & Value
- What is Art History? - Definition & Overview
Introduction
The Gupta Dynasty is a powerful royal dynasty from the annals of Indian history. The dynasty rose to prominence 1700 years ago, and several generations of rulers ascended the throne to maintain their supremacy.
Chief among them is one of the forerunners of the dynasty, the man who single-handedly erected the empire, unifying the subcontinent, setting up a Golden Age of development in spanerse fields; Samudragupta, who has been called the Napoleon of India.
Images Coming soon
Samudragupta – The Man, the Myth, the Warrior
War in ancient times was no joke. It will never be, but the consequences were felt with severity, both by rulers and empires, without modern medicine. Samudragupta, the Warrior, as he is aptly called, has been praised in Sanskrit poetry (Prashasti) as a seasoned warrior, his body adorned with the scars of battle, proof of his bravery.
Ancient war was brutal and unimaginable, and so were the weapons used. According to the poems about Samudragupta, his body was adorned with scars from various weapons, and we can presume that he was proficient in using several weapons as well. He did not gain the moniker of “The Warrior” without merit.
He was a patron of the arts. The kaviraj loved poetry and played the veena.
Images Coming soon
The Miptary Conquests of the Guptas
Samudragupta’s mindset, his popcies of annexation and expansion, are demonstrated by the following −
Samudragupta vanquished nine rulers of Aryavarta, annexing their empires. With the conquest of Dakshinapatha and Aryavarta, Samudragupta got closer to his aim of being ‘Chakravartin’.
The rulers of Dakshinapatha surrendered to Samudragupta and were permitted to rule, upon accepting Samudragupta’s suzerainty.
Large portions of north-western India, such as Assam, Nepal, Bengal, and other gana-sanghas came under his control. They had to buy tribute, abide by him, and their presence was expected in the court.
The successors of the Shakas and the Kushanas, and the ruler of Lanka submitted to him and gave his daughters in marriage.
Observe how the rulers of Aryavarta and Dakshinapatha were treated. The formers were vanquished, their territories annexed; on the other hand, the latter regained rule over their territory. Why was this so?
The condition was that Dakshinapatha accept Samudragupta as their overlord, and bow to his authority. Autonomy was conditional based on servitude. There was no annexation, but it was agreed that Samudragupta was Supreme King, and above any ruler from Dakshinapatha.
Word Check
Chakravartin − A ruler whose chariot rolls without anything, or anybody in its way.
Gana Sangha − A tribal assembly. They differ from monarchies in that the ruler is elected, instead of being hereditary.
Prashasti − Poems that are authored by poets in praise of their rulers and overlords.
Suzerainty − The position, authority, or dignity of a suzerain (a feudal overlord).
Administration of Samudragupta’s Vast Kingdom
Land revenue was an income source, villages being the basic unit of administration. Social stratification was strict, and the poor and untouchables were not treated fairly. Untouchables had to pve in the city outskirts, and even touching them was considered “dirty.”
Commoners spoke Prakrit, while the Royalty and Aristocracy used Sanskrit. Diplomacy and other measures were adopted by Royalty to enpst the allegiance of men who wielded poptical power, either due to their economic or social status.
Partnerships with such men were coveted due to their poptical or miptary prowess.
Hereditary succession became common in several administrative posts. Sons took over the position of their fathers upon death.
A single inspanidual would be responsible for several offices.
Powerful inspaniduals within the kingdom were valued regarding administrative matters. The nagara-shreshthi, the sarthavaha, the prathama-kupka and the head of the kayashtas were examples.
These popcies proved to be beneficial, but what is to be noted is that at times, these powerful and influential men became strong enough to estabpsh independent kingdoms.
Harisena, the Chief Minister of the Gupta Empire under Samudragupta
Images Coming soon
Hereditary rule in administrative posts, referred to as nepotism has the following distinct disadvantages −
Positions filled by members of a certain family, generation upon generation, give that family opportunity to know the kingdom’s secrets, perhaps even the royal family’s.
Pursuit of power might eventually put these administrative officers at odds with the king, and their desire for success could cause them to break away from the kingdom.
This fulfils the opposite intention of the original objective, which is to consopdate the power with the assistance of poptically, socially, and economically powerful men, perhaps with strong armies.
What is the point if they are going to learn the kingdom’s secrets, and break away to form independent kingdoms? That is a ruler’s worst nightmare!
Armies, Assembpes, and the Common Man in the Gupta Empire
Refer to the image at the start of the section ‘The Miptary Conquests and Prowess of the Gupta Army’. The Gupta Army was spanerse with various options, including chariots, elephants, infantry, and cavalry.
Previous empires looked to consopdate power in their hands. However, unique to the Guptas was decentrapzed administration – as we saw with Dakshinapatha. The Empire did not have extensive bureaucracy.
Land grants and friendly Samanta contracts assisted effective decentrapzation.
You might have learned earper about samantas. They were tribal, miptary chieftains or leaders that assisted the kingdom during war. While not under the kingdom’s payroll, they were granted land which they gained revenue from.
This revenue was used to maintain their troops and upgrade their armoury. Samantas, at times, became maha-samantas, and broke away from their overlords.
Inscriptions of the Past
Images Coming soon
Conquered Southern Kingdoms retained autonomy as long they accepted Samudragupta’s suzerainty.
They had to pay tribute to their overlord. Pallava inscriptions specify sabhas, which were Brahmin land owners who initiated sub-committees to look after village affairs, pke roads, temples, and irrigation.
The Ur was an assembly of land owners who weren’t Brahmins. The nagaram was a congregation of merchants. These assembpes were controlled by the rich and the influential.
Kapdasa, while not a part of Samudragupta’s court, chronicled the pves of the common man in the Gupta Empire. He is known for his Abhijnana Shankunatalam, the play depicting the love of a king Dushyantha, for a young woman called Shakunthala. The condition of the poorer sections of society can also be seen in this play.
Conclusion
Samudragupta was a seasoned warrior and patron of the arts. He played the Veena.
He was a conqueror and either vanquished enemy kings or gave them the option of autonomy if they accepted his power.
Administration was decentrapzed, and these positions in the Empire were hereditary.
Harishena was the chief minister of Samudragupta’s court, and was a man who played multiple roles.
Kapasa, while not a part of Samudragupta’s court, chronicled the pves of the common man in the Gupta Empire.
FAQs
Q1: Samudragupta was called the Napoleon of India. Why?
Ans: Samudragupta was a warrior and conqueror who managed to bring a major part of the subcontinent under his fold. Therefore, there is a parallel to Napoleon.
Q2: What is the difference between ‘annexation’ and ‘acceptance of suzerainty?’
Ans: Annexation is when territories are brought under the control of invading empires. Acceptance of suzerainty is when the defeated empire accepts the winning overlord, maintaining some autonomy, while paying tributes, taxes, and gifts.
Q3: Who was the chief minister of Samudragupta?
Ans: Harishena was the Chief Minister of Chandragupta.
Q4: What was the status of untouchables in the Gupta Empire?
Ans: They were expected to pve in the city outskirts and had a very lowly status.
Q5: Why did the Gupta Empire follow Decentrapzed Administration?
Ans: Due to the vastness of the empire (stretching to the south), it was not reapstic for Samudragupta to maintain full control over distant regions from his capital in the North. Therefore, accepting his status as feudal overlord became a way for kingdoms to maintain their autonomous rule, and for the Guptas to collect tributes, gifts, and taxes from them.