PPT: The Gupta Period and Post Gupta Period | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


The Gupta Period and 
Post Gupta Period
Page 2


The Gupta Period and 
Post Gupta Period
Background
1
Following the Maurya empire's collapse, the 
Satavahanas and Kushans emerged as 
major powers. Satavahanas stabilized the 
Deccan and south, providing political unity 
and prosperity through Roman trade. The 
Kushans served a similar role in the north. 
Both empires ended by the mid-third 
century A.D.
2
The Gupta empire, possibly of vaishya 
origin, rose from the Kushan empire's ruins 
and extended over territories previously 
controlled by both Kushans and 
Satavahanas. Though smaller than the 
Maurya empire, the Guptas maintained 
political unity in north India for over a 
century from A.D. 335 to 455.
Page 3


The Gupta Period and 
Post Gupta Period
Background
1
Following the Maurya empire's collapse, the 
Satavahanas and Kushans emerged as 
major powers. Satavahanas stabilized the 
Deccan and south, providing political unity 
and prosperity through Roman trade. The 
Kushans served a similar role in the north. 
Both empires ended by the mid-third 
century A.D.
2
The Gupta empire, possibly of vaishya 
origin, rose from the Kushan empire's ruins 
and extended over territories previously 
controlled by both Kushans and 
Satavahanas. Though smaller than the 
Maurya empire, the Guptas maintained 
political unity in north India for over a 
century from A.D. 335 to 455.
Origins of the Gupta 
Empire
Uttar Pradesh was the 
center of the Gupta 
Empire, with many early 
Gupta coins and 
inscriptions found there.
Uttar Pradesh stands out 
as the most important 
area for Gupta 
antiquities. It was likely 
the Guptas' center of 
power at Prayag, where 
they spread to 
neighboring regions.
The Guptas were possibly the feudatories of the Kushans 
in Uttar Pradesh and seems to have succeeded them 
without any wide time lag. At many places in Uttar 
Pradesh and Bihar, the Kushan antiquities were 
immediately followed by the Gupta antiquities.
Page 4


The Gupta Period and 
Post Gupta Period
Background
1
Following the Maurya empire's collapse, the 
Satavahanas and Kushans emerged as 
major powers. Satavahanas stabilized the 
Deccan and south, providing political unity 
and prosperity through Roman trade. The 
Kushans served a similar role in the north. 
Both empires ended by the mid-third 
century A.D.
2
The Gupta empire, possibly of vaishya 
origin, rose from the Kushan empire's ruins 
and extended over territories previously 
controlled by both Kushans and 
Satavahanas. Though smaller than the 
Maurya empire, the Guptas maintained 
political unity in north India for over a 
century from A.D. 335 to 455.
Origins of the Gupta 
Empire
Uttar Pradesh was the 
center of the Gupta 
Empire, with many early 
Gupta coins and 
inscriptions found there.
Uttar Pradesh stands out 
as the most important 
area for Gupta 
antiquities. It was likely 
the Guptas' center of 
power at Prayag, where 
they spread to 
neighboring regions.
The Guptas were possibly the feudatories of the Kushans 
in Uttar Pradesh and seems to have succeeded them 
without any wide time lag. At many places in Uttar 
Pradesh and Bihar, the Kushan antiquities were 
immediately followed by the Gupta antiquities.
Military Advantages of the Guptas
1
The Guptas adopted military innovations from 
the Kushans, including saddles, reins, button 
coats, trousers, and boots. These 
improvements enhanced mobility and 
horsemanship while reducing reliance on 
traditional chariots and elephants.
2
Horsemen became the dominant military force, 
as evidenced by their prominence on Gupta 
coins. Despite some kings' reputations as 
chariot warriors, cavalry formed the backbone 
of Gupta military strength.
3
Key Gupta advantages included control of 
fertile Madhyadesha (Bihar and Uttar 
Pradesh), access to iron resources from central 
India and south Bihar, and proximity to 
lucrative silk trade routes with the Byzantine 
empire.
4
These advantages enabled Gupta control over 
Anuganga, Prayag, Saketa, and Magadha, 
eventually expanding into an empire 
encompassing much of India.
5
Following the Kushans' decline around A.D. 
230, the Murundas ruled parts of central India 
until A.D. 250. The Gupta dynasty then 
emerged as a dominant power around A.D. 
275.
Page 5


The Gupta Period and 
Post Gupta Period
Background
1
Following the Maurya empire's collapse, the 
Satavahanas and Kushans emerged as 
major powers. Satavahanas stabilized the 
Deccan and south, providing political unity 
and prosperity through Roman trade. The 
Kushans served a similar role in the north. 
Both empires ended by the mid-third 
century A.D.
2
The Gupta empire, possibly of vaishya 
origin, rose from the Kushan empire's ruins 
and extended over territories previously 
controlled by both Kushans and 
Satavahanas. Though smaller than the 
Maurya empire, the Guptas maintained 
political unity in north India for over a 
century from A.D. 335 to 455.
Origins of the Gupta 
Empire
Uttar Pradesh was the 
center of the Gupta 
Empire, with many early 
Gupta coins and 
inscriptions found there.
Uttar Pradesh stands out 
as the most important 
area for Gupta 
antiquities. It was likely 
the Guptas' center of 
power at Prayag, where 
they spread to 
neighboring regions.
The Guptas were possibly the feudatories of the Kushans 
in Uttar Pradesh and seems to have succeeded them 
without any wide time lag. At many places in Uttar 
Pradesh and Bihar, the Kushan antiquities were 
immediately followed by the Gupta antiquities.
Military Advantages of the Guptas
1
The Guptas adopted military innovations from 
the Kushans, including saddles, reins, button 
coats, trousers, and boots. These 
improvements enhanced mobility and 
horsemanship while reducing reliance on 
traditional chariots and elephants.
2
Horsemen became the dominant military force, 
as evidenced by their prominence on Gupta 
coins. Despite some kings' reputations as 
chariot warriors, cavalry formed the backbone 
of Gupta military strength.
3
Key Gupta advantages included control of 
fertile Madhyadesha (Bihar and Uttar 
Pradesh), access to iron resources from central 
India and south Bihar, and proximity to 
lucrative silk trade routes with the Byzantine 
empire.
4
These advantages enabled Gupta control over 
Anuganga, Prayag, Saketa, and Magadha, 
eventually expanding into an empire 
encompassing much of India.
5
Following the Kushans' decline around A.D. 
230, the Murundas ruled parts of central India 
until A.D. 250. The Gupta dynasty then 
emerged as a dominant power around A.D. 
275.
Chandragupta I (A.D. 
319-334)
First Important King
The first important king of 
the Gupta dynasty was 
Chandragupta I. He married 
a Lichchhavi princess most 
probably from Nepal, which 
strengthened his position. 
The Guptas were possibly 
vaishyas, and hence 
marriage in a Kshatriya 
family gave them prestige.
Gupta Era
Chandragupta I seems to 
have been a ruler of 
considerable importance 
because he started the 
Gupta era in A.D. 319-20, 
which marked the date of 
his accession. Later many 
inscriptions came to be 
dated in the Gupta era.