Gupta Empire-Economy, Society, Religion and Decline

Due to the establishment of irrigation works, agriculture flourished during the Gupta era. Various aspects associated with the agricultural practices are mentioned in the sources of the Gupta Empire indicating the concern of the society with the agricultural production. The Poona plates of Prabhavati Gupta, as well as many other inscriptions, show that land surveying was done during the Gupta era.

During the Gupta period, the land was classified as Amarakoshalists (12 types of land):

• Fertile land as Urvara
• Barren land was termed Ushara
• Desert as Maru
• Fallow as Aprahata
• Grassy as Shadbala
• Muddy as Pankila
• Wet-land as Jalaprayamanupam
• Adjacent to water as Kachcha
• Full of pebbles and pieces of limestone as Sharkara
• Sandy as Sharkavati
• Watered by a river as Nadimatrika
• Watered by rain as Devamatrika

 In inscriptions

• Kshetra is a term used for a field, especially a cultivated field
• Khila means untilled land or cultivable wasteland
• Aprahata also refers to a cultivable wasteland
• Aprada refers to unsettled land
• Vastu refers to a habitat

Guptas issued several silver coins, which were further used for local trade. The Kushanas’ copper coins are more in number as compared to Gupta. This shows that the use of money was not the medium of exchange for the public(common people). The Gupta rulers also minted coins for various types. The coins show excellent craftsmanship. Craft production covered a myriad of items. Ordinary domestic items like earthen pots, metal tools, etc were produced along with luxury items like jewellery made of gold silver, and precious stones. Fine clothing items made of cotton and silk and other luxury items were made available to the affluent sections of people. Ancient texts dating back to the Gupta period such as Amarkosha and Brihat Samhita list many items and also the type of craftsmen that manufactured them.

Commercial activities and trade with the Central, West, Southeast-Asia, and Rome continued in this period. However, the Gupta period witnessed a decline in long-distance trade as trade with the Roman Empire declined after the 3rd century AD. Indian merchants were more relied upon for South-East Asian trade. There were organizations that facilitated the functioning of both the craftsmen and traders. These organisations were known as ‘Srenis’. The State was expected to provide them protection and to respect their rules and regulations. The members of the Srenis were also expected to follow the norms of the organization.

Society of Gupta Empire

• Due to the proliferation of castes, the Varna system started to be modified. This was mainly due to three reasons-
• A significant number of immigrants, mainly Kshatriyas, had been assimilated into Indian society
• By land grants, a significant number of tribal people were absorbed into Brahmanical society. The tribes that had been assimilated were incorporated into the Shudra Varna
• As a result of the decline of trade and urban centres, as well as the regional nature of the crafts, guilds of craftsmen were often converted into castes
• The Brahmanas exerted significant influence on the Gupta kings, as it is clear from the amount of land they received from the kings
• The increase in the Brahmana settlements increased the idea of a varna-divided society
• We get information about the caste systems from the Dharmashastra which was written by the Brahmanas of the Gupta period
• The caste system took deep roots during the Gupta period. The practice of untouchability had slowly started during this period
• According to Fa-hein, Chandalas had to live outside towns and marketplaces and were expected to strike a piece of wood when they approached so that others could get out of their way to avoid their touch
• The situation of women had also become depressing during the Gupta period
• Polygamy was common, patriarchy took deep roots. Women were forbidden from studying religious texts like the Puranas
• The practice of Swayamvara was given up and the Manusmriti suggested early marriage for girls
• Madhya Pradesh shows glimpses of Sati during Gupta time in 510 AD in Eran inscription. During this time, forced labour (vishti) became more widespread than ever

The religion of the Gupta Empire

• Puranas and other religious literature were composed during this period
• During the Gupta era, Brahmans ruled as a supreme community in terms of religion
• Vaishnavism and Shaivism were two of their branches. These two religions became prominent due to the worship of images and the celebration of religious festivals with elaborate rituals
• Brahmanism’s advancement led to the neglect of Buddhism and Jainism

The Decline of the Gupta Empire

• The Gupta’s did not have a complete influence over their empire
• After Skandagupta’s death, rulers were weak in both administration and military power, and defeated kings became independent
• They had given land grants to ministers and monasteries in areas under direct jurisdiction, and these became very wealthy and dominant
• The concept of a state within a state began to emerge, weakening the Gupta’s’ imperial authority
• The economy was in a downward spiral
• The growth of trade, crafts, and manufacturing was generally stagnant
• As a result, the Gupta’s’ military influence waned, and regional forces grew stronger
• Guilds were operating independently
• Huna invasions weakened the Gupta Empire
• Yashodharman of Malwa challenged the superiority of the Gupta and installed Pillars of victory in his honour in 532 AD in the entire region of northern India that had once belonged to Guptas. So, these were some of the factors that led to the decline of Gupta

Conclusion

After going through the various aspects of the economy, society, religion, and decline of the Gupta Empire, we witness that there were significant changes when compared to the earlier periods. Brahmanas exerted significant influence over the kings.  The condition of ordinary cultivators also declined during the period. Varna system continued in the society of the Gupta period.

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