Gupta Polity.pptx

Gupta Empire

1. Gupta Polity Dr Amita Gupta

2. Officers of the Gupta Empire Officer Function Vinayasthitisansathapak विनय स्थिति संस्थापक Head of education department Sarvadhyaksha Inspector for all central department Mahashwapati महाश्वपति Controller of cavalry Mahamahipilapati महामही पिलापति Controller & executor of elephantry Vinayapura विनयपुरा Official to present different guests at the King’s court Yuktapurusha Office to keep account of war booty Khadyatpakika खद्यत्पाकिका Inspector of Royal Kitchen Ranabhandagarika रणभंडागरिका Officer in charge of Army Stores Mahanarpati Head of infantry

3. Consolidation After the vigorous campaign of Samudra Gupta, there came a phase of consolidation and stabilization. Samudra - Gupta left for his successor Chandra Gupta II a legacy of a vast empire. Justifying his nomination, the fifth ruler of the Gupta line had not only completed the work left undone by his father but also assimilated large number of tribal tract, including the territories ruled by the Sakas and the Kushanas in Western India, Samatata or a part of eastern Bengal. As we have discussed earlier Chandra-Gupta II liberated Western India from the age old servitude of the Saka Satraps. Thus by bringing the land between the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea under the shadow of an imperial identity, Chandra Gupta completed the work of the political unification of northern India.

4. Consolidation 4 After the vigorous campaign of Samudra Gupta, there came a phase of consolidation and stabilization. Samudra- Gupta left for his successor Chandra Gupta II a legacy of a vast empire. Justifying his nomination, the fifth ruler of the Gupta line had not only completed the work left undone by his father but also assimilated large number of tribal tract, including the territories ruled by the Sakas and the Kushanas in Western India, Samatata or a part of eastern Bengal.

5. Consolidation 5 As we have discussed earlier Chandra-Gupta II liberated Western India from the age old servitude of the Saka Satraps. Thus by bringing the land between the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea under the shadow of an imperial identity, Chandra Gupta completed the work of the political unification of northern India.

6. Consolidation In consolidating Gupta Power in India the political marriage had always played a vital role. At the stage of their emergence the Lichchhavi marriage alliance provided them with political status and acceptability. Similarly at the stage of consolidation also marriage alliances provided them an opportunity to strengthen their hold, further in north Indian politics. Chandra Gupta II the great consolidator concluded a number of marriage alliances with different Indian rulers which created a ring of a friendly states around him. Except the campaign against the Western Saka , no major military expedition had been taken by Chandra Gupta II. The entire period of his reign was a peaceful one. His pacific policy further strengthened the process of consolidation of the Gupta Empire.

7. Consolidation 7 In consolidating Gupta Power in India the political marriage had always played a vital role. At the stage of their emergence the Lichchhavi marriage alliance provided them with political status and acceptability. Similarly at the stage of consolidation also marriage alliances provided them an opportunity to strengthen their hold, further in north Indian politics.

8. Consolidation 8 Chandra Gupta II the great consolidator concluded a number of marriage alliances with different Indian rulers which created a ring of a friendly states around him. Except the campaign against the Western Saka , no major military expedition had been taken by Chandra Gupta II. The entire period of his reign was a peaceful one. His pacific policy further strengthened the process of consolidation of the Gupta Empire.

9. Consolidation As a result of his pacific policy- Gupta history entered into a phase of cultural renaissance. It provided him an opportunity to pay more attention to the development of Gupta art and culture. Chandra-Gupta II was known as the patron of legendary Nine Gems or Nava Ratna , of whom Kalidas was the most prominent one. This great poet Kalidas immortalized the age by his great literary creations. The Gupta period witnessed the ultimate revival of Brahmanical culture which saw its beginning in the horse sacrifice of Samudra -Gupta. One of the main vehicles of this Brahmanical culture was the Sanskrit language. By patronizing the gems of the Sanskrit literature Chandra-Gupta II completed the sequences of its upheaval. Thus by patronizing the creative spirit of his age, he successfully enhanced not only the military but the cultural pride of the empire and consolidated the position of Gupta empire as a source of creative activity.

10. Consolidation As a result of his pacific policy- Gupta history entered into a phase of cultural renaissance. It provided him an opportunity to pay more attention to the development of Gupta art and culture. Chandra-Gupta II was known as the patron of legendary Nine Gems or Nava Ratna , of whom Kalidas was the most prominent one. This great poet Kalidas immortalized the age by his great literary creations. 10

11. Consolidation The Gupta period witnessed the ultimate revival of Brahmanical culture which saw its beginning in the horse sacrifice of Samudra-Gupta. One of the main vehicles of this Brahmanical culture was the Sanskrit language. By patronizing the gems of the Sanskrit literature Chandra-Gupta II completed the sequences of its upheaval. Thus by patronizing the creative spirit of his age, he successfully enhanced not only the military but the cultural pride of the empire and consolidated the position of Gupta empire as a source of creative activity. 11

12. Gupta’s Administrative System The King Minister and other Officials Council of Ministers Division of the Empire Administrative Units below the District level Army

13. The King During the Gupta age, political hierarchies can be identified by the titles adopted. Kings assumed titles such as maharajadhiraja , parama-bhattaraka and parameshvara. They were also connected with gods through epithets such as parama-daivata (the foremost worshipper of the gods) and parama-bhagavata (the foremost worshipper of Vasudeva Krishna). Some historians have suggested that the Gupta Kings claimed divine status. For example, Samudragupta is compared to Purusha (Supreme Being) in the Allahabad inscription. These assertions can be seen as reflections of an attempt to claim divine status by the king.

14. The King During the Gupta age, political hierarchies can be identified by the titles adopted. Kings assumed titles such as maharajadhiraja , parama-bhattaraka and parameshvara. They were also connected with gods through epithets such as parama-daivata (the foremost worshipper of the gods) and parama-bhagavata (the foremost worshipper of Vasudeva Krishna). 14

15. The King 15

16. Minister and other Officials Seals and inscriptions make a mention of official ranks and designations, whose precise meaning is often uncertain. The term “kumaramatya” occurs in six Vaishali seals, which suggests that this title represented high-ranking officer associated with an office ( adikarana ) of his own. The designation “amatya” occurs on several Bita seals, and the “kumaramatya” seems to have been pre-eminent among amatyas and equivalent in status to princes of royal blood. Kumaramatyas were attached to the king, crown prince, revenue department or a province.

17. Minister and other Officials Seals and inscriptions make a mention of official ranks and designations, whose precise meaning is often uncertain. The term “kumaramatya” occurs in six Vaishali seals, which suggests that this title represented high-ranking officer associated with an office ( adikarana ) of his own. 17

18. Minister and other Officials The designation “amatya” occurs on several Bita seals, and the “kumaramatya” seems to have been pre-eminent among amatyas and equivalent in status to princes of royal blood. Kumaramatyas were attached to the king, crown prince, revenue department or a province. 18

19. Minister and other Officials One of the Vaishali seals refers to a kumaramatya who seems to have been in charge of the maintenance of the sacred coronation tank of the Lichchavis . Individuals holding the ranks of kumaramatya sometimes had additional designations as well, and such ranks were hereditary. For example, Harisena, composer of the Allahabad prashasti (inscriptions of praise), was a kumaramatya, sandhivigrahika and mahadandanayaka, and was the son of Dhruvabhuti, a mahadandanayaka.

20. Minister and other Officials One of the Vaishali seals refers to a kumaramatya who seems to have been in charge of the maintenance of the sacred coronation tank of the Lichchavis . Individuals holding the ranks of kumaramatya sometimes had additional designations as well, and such ranks were hereditary. 20

21. Minister and other Officials For example, Harisena, composer of the Allahabad prashasti (inscriptions of praise), was a kumaramatya, sandhivigrahika and mahadandanayaka, and was the son of Dhruvabhuti, a mahadandanayaka. 21

22. Council of Ministers The Gupta king was assisted by a council of mantrins (ministers). The Allahabad prashasti refers to an assembly or council, presumably of ministers, which was known as the Sabha. The various high-ranking functionaries included the sandhivigrahika or mahasandhivigrahika (minister for peace and war), who seems to have been a high-ranking officer in charge of contact and correspondence with other states, including initiating wars and concluding alliances and treaties.

23. Council of Ministers The Gupta king was assisted by a council of mantrins (ministers). The Allahabad prashasti refers to an assembly or council, presumably of ministers, which was known as the Sabha. The various high-ranking functionaries included the sandhivigrahika or mahasandhivigrahika (minister for peace and war), who seems to have been a high-ranking officer in charge of contact and correspondence with other states, including initiating wars and concluding alliances and treaties. 23

24. Council of Ministers High-ranking officials were called dandanayakas, and mahadandanayakas were high-ranking judicial or military officers. One of the seals mentions a mahadandanayaka named Agnigupta. The Allahabad prashasti refers to three mahadandanayakas. All these suggest that these posts were hereditary by nature. Another person had a designation mahashvapati (commander of the cavalry), indicating military functions.

25. Council of Ministers High-ranking officials were called dandanayakas, and mahadandanayakas were high-ranking judicial or military officers. One of the seals mentions a mahadandanayaka named Agnigupta. The Allahabad prashasti refers to three mahadandanayakas. All these suggest that these posts were hereditary by nature. Another person had a designation mahashvapati (commander of the cavalry), indicating military functions. 25

26. Division of the Empire The Gupta Empire was divided into provinces known as deshas or bhuktis . They were administered by governors who were usually designated as uparikas. The uparika was directly appointed by the king and he, in turn, frequently appointed the head of the district administration and the district board. Uparika carried on the administration “with the enjoyment of the rule consisting of elephants, horses and soldiers”, indicating his control over the military machinery as well. The fact that the uparika had the title maharaja in three of the Damodarpur plates indicates his high status and rank in the administrative hierarchy.

27. Division of the Empire The Gupta Empire was divided into provinces known as deshas or bhuktis . They were administered by governors who were usually designated as uparikas. The uparika was directly appointed by the king and he, in turn, frequently appointed the head of the district administration and the district board. Uparika carried on the administration “with the enjoyment of the rule consisting of elephants, horses and soldiers”, indicating his control over the military machinery as well. The fact that the uparika had the title maharaja in three of the Damodarpur plates indicates his high status and rank in the administrative hierarchy. 27

28. Division of the Empire Eran pillar inscription of Budhagupta, dated Gupta year 165 CE, refers to maharaja Surashmichandra as a lokpala, governing the land between the Kalinndi and Narmada rivers. Lokpala here seems to refer to a provincial governor. The provinces of the Gupta Empire were divided into districts known as visayas , which were controlled by officers known as vishyapatis. The vishyapatis seems to have been generally appointed by the provincial governor. Sometimes, even the kings directly appointed the vishyapatis. Prominent members of the town assisted the vishyapati in administrative duties.

29. Division of the Empire Eran pillar inscription of Budhagupta, dated Gupta year 165 CE, refers to maharaja Surashmichandra as a lokpala, governing the land between the Kalinndi and Narmada rivers. Lokpala here seems to refer to a provincial governor. The provinces of the Gupta Empire were divided into districts known as visayas, which were controlled by officers known as vishyapatis. The vishyapatis seems to have been generally appointed by the provincial governor. Sometimes, even the kings directly appointed the vishyapatis. Prominent members of the town assisted the vishyapati in administrative duties. 29

30. Administrative Units below the District level The administrative units below the district level included clusters of settlements known variously as vithi, bhumi, pathaka and peta. There are references to officials known as ayuktakas and vithi-mahattaras. At the village level, villagers chose functionaries such as gramika and gramadhyaksha. The Damodarpur copper plate of the reign of Budhagupta mentions an ashtakula-adhikarana (a board of eight members) headed by the mahattara. Mahattara has a range of meanings including village elder, village headman, and head of a family community. The Sanchi inscription of the time of Chandragupta II mentions the panch-mandali, which may have been a corporate body.

31. Administrative Units below the District level The administrative units below the district level included clusters of settlements known variously as vithi, bhumi, pathaka and peta. There are references to officials known as ayuktakas and vithi-mahattaras. At the village level, villagers chose functionaries such as gramika and gramadhyaksha. 31

32. Administrative Units below the District level The Damodarpur copper plate of the reign of Budhagupta mentions an ashtakula-adhikarana (a board of eight members) headed by the mahattara. Mahattara has a range of meanings including village elder, village headman, and head of a family community. The Sanchi inscription of the time of Chandragupta II mentions the panch-mandali, which may have been a corporate body. 32

33. Army Seals and inscriptions mention military designations such as baladhikrita and mahabaladhikrita (commander of infantry and cavalry). The standard term “senapati” does not occur in Gupta inscriptions, but the term could be found in some Vakataka epigraphs. A Vaishali seal mentions the ranabhandagar-adhikarana, which is the office of the military storehouse. Another Vaishali seal mentions the adhikarana (office) of the dandapashika, which may have been a district-level police office.

34. Army Seals and inscriptions mention military designations such as baladhikrita and mahabaladhikrita (commander of infantry and cavalry). The standard term “senapati” does not occur in Gupta inscriptions, but the term could be found in some Vakataka epigraphs. A Vaishali seal mentions the ranabhandagar-adhikarana, which is the office of the military storehouse. Another Vaishali seal mentions the adhikarana (office) of the dandapashika, which may have been a district-level police office. 34

35. Army The officials connected specifically with the royal establishment included the mahapratiara (chief of the palace guards) and the khadyatapakita (superintendent of the royal kitchen). A Vaishali seal mentions a person both as a mahapratihara and a taravara. The top layer of the administrative structure also included amatyas and sachivas, who were executive officers in charge of various departments. The system of espionage included spies known as dutakas. The ayuktakas were another cadre of high-ranking officers.

36. Army The officials connected specifically with the royal establishment included the mahapratiara (chief of the palace guards) and the khadyatapakita (superintendent of the royal kitchen). A Vaishali seal mentions a person both as a mahapratihara and a taravara. The top layer of the administrative structure also included amatyas and sachivas, who were executive officers in charge of various departments. The system of espionage included spies known as dutakas. The ayuktakas were another cadre of high-ranking officers. 36

37. Summary In this lecture you have learnt to explain the emergence of the great Guptas in the history of Ancient India. As a whole, the Gupta administration had a benevolent character and people lived happily under it. The benevolent ideal of the government even survived in the fall of the Gupta Empire. The Kalachuris , the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas were inspired by the models of the Gupta administrative system. Thus the growth of the feudal elements further accelerated the process of decentralization of Gupta Empire.

38. Summary In this lecture you have learnt to explain the emergence of the great Guptas in the history of Ancient India. As a whole, the Gupta administration had a benevolent character and people lived happily under it. The benevolent ideal of the government even survived in the fall of the Gupta Empire. The Kalachuris, the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas were inspired by the models of the Gupta administrative system. Thus the growth of the feudal elements further accelerated the process of decentralization of Gupta Empire. 38