Asoka founded the most powerful secret society on earth: that of the Nine Unknown Men. What can have been the aim of these men?
THE GUPTA PERIOD
After the downfall of the Kushana empire in about the third century and at
the beginning of the 4th century AD, many independent states emerged in North
India. One of these states was of the Lichchahavis of Vaisali who dominated
portions of North Bengal and South Bihar. This clan obtained possession of
Pataliputra, the Capital of the Kushans. Sri Gupta was the first ruler of this
dominion. After him his son Ghatokacha ruled with the title of Maharaja. In the
fourth century a Lichchavi princess got married to a king in the Magadha who was
called Chandragupta I. The reign of Chandragupta I is said to have come to an
end in about 330AD. The importance of the rule Chandragupta I centres around the
influence of Kumaradevi the Lichchavi princess, coins bearing the figures of the
princess speaks of the extent of her influence. Chandragupta became the king of
Pataliputra and established a kingdom along the Ganges.
Chandragupta I was succeeded by Samudragupta in about 330AD. He reigned for
about fifty yeGoldcoin-Chandragupta I periodars. Inscriptions on a pillar
erected by Ashoka gives an account of Samudragupta. After succeeding to the
throne of the empire he subdued the powers revolting against his authority in
the Gangetic plains and brought their dominions to his kingdoms. He is said to
have commanded a military campaign across the Deccan, and also subdued the
forest tribes of the Vindhya region. He performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice to
establish and proclaim his supremacy. His kingdom also included Lower Bengal,
upper Assam and Nepal. Tributes and homage was paid by the rulers and clans
including the Malwas, the Yaudheyas, Arjunayansas, the Madras, the Abhiras in
Punjab and Rajasthan and others in Madhya Pradesh. Samudragupta led an
expedition to the south through the forest tracts of Madhya Pradesh to Orissa,
Vishakapatnam, Godavari, Krishna and Nellore district. He is also said to have
intruded into Kanchi the capital of the Pallavas.
Samudragupta maintained diplomatic relations with the Kushana King of North
west and the ruler of Ceylon. His friendly relation with Ceylon is proved by the
fact that King Meghavarna of Ceylon sent an embassy to Samudragupta. With gifts,
seeking permission to erect a splendid monastery near the holy tree at Bodh Gaya
for the pilgrims from Ceylon. This structure constructed with the permission of
Samudragupta was known as Mahabohi Sangharvama. Samudragupta's personal skill
was exceptional especially in music and song. He was also well known for his
poetry and had composed many work which had a reputation of a professional
author. He was a devotee of Vishnu and thus can be called a Brahmanical Hindu.
All these and his role as a monarch qualifies him to be called a hero of hundred
battle by a court poet in the Allahabad inscriptions.
Vincent Smith has elevated Samudragupta in Indian history as the Napoleon of
India. His tradition of (Milito) religious toleration reflects in the Allahabad
inscription and speaks thus " put to Shama the preceptor of the lord of the
gods. Brahaspati by his sharp and polished intellect and Tamburu and Narad by
lovely performance." Samudragupta had several sons. His rule is presumed to have
been till about 375AD.
Samudragupta was succeeded by his elder son Ramagupta who was said to have
been murdered by Chandragupta II, who did so owing to his brother Ramaguptas
uncouth act of surrendering his queen Dhruvadevi to the Saka ruler who subdued
him.
Thus Chandragupta ascended the throne of Patilaputra in about 375AD. On
assuming the throne of the Gupta empire he took to the title of Vikramaditya.
Chandragupta II was a conquerer like his father Samudragupta. His diplomatic
tactics in giving his daughter in marriage to Rudrasena II. TheVakattaka king of
Deccan helped greatly in securing the vital territory for himself which could
prove advantageous in the event of an attack upon the saka satraps of the west
from the north. Chandragupta Vikramaditya's miltary conquests includes the
conquest of Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra which were under the Saka rule. He
defeated Rudrasimha III the last of the western satrap ruler and annexed his
territories. This provided exceptional wealth which added to the prosperity of
the Guptas. The Guptas at his period had sea trade with the countries of the
west. Broach, Sopara, Cambay were ports that facilitated trade. During this
period, Ujjain appears to have been the inland centre upon which most of the
trade routes converged. Chandragupta occupied the throne for nearly forty years.
Pataliputra was a flourishing city. The Gupta administration at this period was
mild. Under the Guptas the King assumed a divine character. Chandragupta II was
also identified with Vikramaditya of Ujjain. Raja Bikram of popular legend was
also a patron of the nine gems including Kalidsa and Varahamihira.
Kumaragupta I was successor of Chandragupta II known as Mahendraditya
Kumargupta I, he ruled from 415 AD to 455 AD. He reigned for about 40 years. His
empire extended from North Bengal to Kathiawar and from the Himalayas to the
Narmada. To the south his kingdom extended as far as the Satara district of the
Deccan. He also performed the Ashwameda sacrifice. Towards the end of his rule,
the Pushyamitras who were people located near Mekala in the Nerbudda valley
became powerful and wealthy. The Pushamitras brought about a temporary eclipse
of the Gupta power.This attack on the Guptas were repulsed by Skandagupta who is
considered as the last great Gupta ruler. After the succession of Skandagupta he
had to subdue the Huns, Skandagupta assumed the title of Vikramaditya. During
his campaign against the Huns Skandagupta had to meet great expenses which
resulted in the reduction in the issue of gold coins. The Gupta period in Indian
history is termed as the Golden Age of India. This period extends from 320 to
480 AD. It extends through the reigns of Chandragupta I, Samudragupta,
Chandragupta II, Vikramaditya, Kumaragupta and Skandagupta.The Gupta dynasty
continued its existence after the death of Skandagupta. He was succeeded by his
son Narasimhagupta followed by Kumaragupta II. Kumaragupta II was followed by
Budhagupta. His territory extended from Bengal to central India. The last Gupta
ruler was Bhanugupta. During his reign the Hunas wrested Malwas from the Guptas.
After his decline in 467Ad the succeeding rulers were weak and could not check
the invasion of the Huns and other tribes. After the death of Bhanugupta in
570AD the Gupta empire declined and broke off.
The Gupta period has been described as the golden age of Indian history. It
extended from the period of 320AD to 480AD. During this period literature, art
and science flourished. Religious toleration and freedom of worship speaks
greatly of the Guptas. The great writings of Kalidasa which include Ritusamhara
and Meghauta in Sanskrit literature at its highest quality.
The Gupta period is also regarded as a period of Hindu renaissance. Ashoka
had succeeded in making Buddhism as the religion as the majority people in
Northern India. On doing this neither Brahmanical Hinduism of Jainism died out
owing to Ashokas religious toleration propagated by Ashoka. After Ashoka all the
rulers that followed showed religious toleration which only added to the
prosperity of the territories they ruled. The Guptas though showed a preference
to their family deity Vishnu pursued the policy of perfect freedom of worship.
Music, architecture, sculpture and painting was at its best during the period
of Gupta rule. The stoner temples of which one at Deogarh in Jhansi, a t
Bhitergaon in the kanpur district are few specimens depicting gupta excellence
in architecture and sculpture Another area of Gupta excellence was their
metallurgical skill. Various copper statues images of Buddha reflects the
craftsmanship of the gupta period. The pillar at Delhi made of iron in the time
of Samudragupta is also another piece of excellence The Guptas also excellent in
the filed of fine arts. All fields of fine arts received royal patronage.
Another area of outmost importance during the Gupta reign is the exchange of
intellectual ideas which is attributed to the royal patronage and contacts with
foreign people of both east and west. Buddhism which was introduced in China
from India fostered religious relations promoting constant communication.
Chinese missionaries visited India to do reverence to the sacred spots of faith
. These visits helped to the sacred spots of faith. These visit helped the
Chinese pilgrims knowledge of Sanskrit. Besides China contacts with various
islands of South Asia, Indonesia, Persia, Greece and Rome also proves the sound
Gupta rule and their diplomatic tactics to provide the best of administration.
All these adds to the statement that defines the Gupta period as the Golden age
of India.
