Gupta Empire

The Gupta Empire was an Indian empire which lasted from around 320 to 550 AD. It managed to unify large parts of the Indian subcontinent. The time of the Gupta Empire is traditionally referred to as India's Golden age. 

Plenty of information about this dynasty can be found through coins, inscriptions, monuments, and Sanskrit writings. The Gupta rulers were great conquerors and administrators. Eventually, provincial revolts and invaders from Central Asia weakened broke up the empire, but many of their cultural and intellectual achievements were saved and transmitted to other cultures and live on today. Fa Hien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II and stayed in this country for several years. 

People lived a simple life. Goods were affordable and all round prosperity ensured that their requirements were met easily. Gold and silver coins were issued in great numbers which is a general indicative of the health of the economy. Trade and commerce flourished both within the country and outside. Silk, cotton, spices, medicine, priceless gemstones, pearl, precious metal and steel were exported by sea.

 Gupta dynasty 

The Gupta dynasty lasted from around 240 to 579.

Some of its main rulers were:
 Chandragupta
 Samudragupta
 Ramagupta
 Chandragupta II
 Kumaragupta I
 Skandagupta
 Purugupta
 Kumaragupta II
 Budhagupta
 Narsimhagupta
 Vishnugupta

 Administration 


The Gupta Empire was divided into 26 provinces. These were called Bhukti, Desha, or Rajya. Each province had smaller parts called Vishaya (districts), ruled by officers called Vishayapati. The Vishayapati was helped by a local council called the Adhikarana. This council had four members: the head of the city, a trade leader, a top artisan, and a government writer. A smaller area inside a district was called a Vithi.Vidya Dhar Mahajan (1990), pp. 530–531

The Gupta Empire had trade links with the Sassanids and Byzantines. The social system followed four main caste system (varna system). The Guptas used many different gold and silver coinages across their empire. This showed their wealth. Some were also trying to unify the empire by using the same coins over the empire.
 Further reading 
 Karls, Farah. World History The Human Experience.

References

 Other websites 

 Frontline Article on Gupta Period Art 

Category:History of India
Category:History of Pakistan
Category:Royal dynasties
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