Gupta Period:
Que. “Sanskrit literature of the classical Gupta Age set standards for the early medieval India.” Evaluate the statement with representative examples. [UPSC CSE-2020]
Approach:
(1) Introduce by explaining how Gupta rulers promoted Sanskrit.
(2) Classify the various Sanskrit works of Gupta age along with examples.
(3) Explain how it set standard of early Mediaeval India:
(i) Polity: Marriage Alliances (e.g. Prabhavati Gupta), Pride (Devichandraguptam by Vishakhadatta).
(ii) Society: Narayana Smriti and Kamandaka Nitisara.
(iii) Economy: Land grants and land taxes (Amarasimha’s Amarakosha – Reference of Khila and Kshetra) – (eg. Grahan and Moksha of Praga Prashasti).
(iv) Diplomacy: Grahan and Moksha – Non annexation and regionalisation.
(v) Literature: Women and Shudras spoke prakrit out of which multiple languages emerged.
(vi) Religion: Love and Loyalty (Eg. Abhigyanashakuntalam and Mrichhakatika) fostered Bhakti Principles.
(4) Conclude by stating Pan Indian empire of Guptas was bound to have impact on India and their disintegration led to process of syncretism because of which the similarities as discussed above can be witnessed.
Introduction:
Sanskrit literature after centuries of evolution, through lavish royal patronage reached to the level of classical excellence in the Gupta period. This era is known for equal writing of prose and poetry. Sanskrit became the Lingua franca (shared language of communication used by people who are speakers of different languages) of India, besides being the court language of Guptas. An efflorescence of religious literature was witnessed. The intelligentsia of this time presented, explained and wrote precepts and doctrines of “neo-Hinduism”, philosophical thoughts, ethics etc. in the form of Smritis, Puranas and Epics.
Various Sanskrit works of Gupta Age:
(1) Puranas: Puranas, such as “Vayu-Purana”, “Matsya Purana”, “Vishnu Purana”, “Brahmanda Purana” and “Bhagavad Purana” are the most important. They throw light on the dynastic list, the area of science, polity and system of government etc. the empire and names of the provinces.
(2) Kavya-Nataka literature: The “Kaumudi Mahotsava” is a drama in five Acts, which lays down the political condition of Magadha on the eve of ascendancy of the Guptas. The other drama “Devichandraguptam” narrates the contest for the throne between Ramagupta and Chandragupta-II.
(3) Kalidasa’s Works: Kalidasa’s works Abhijnanasakuntalam, Meghadootam, Raghuvamsam, Malvikangimitram, Ritusamhara and Kumarasambhava provide reliable information about the government, society and religion of the Gupta period.
(4) Dharmasastras: “Narada Smriti”, and “Brihaspati Smriti” were probably written during the Gupta period and give us a lot of useful information. “Kamandaka Nitisara” was probably written during the Chandra Gupta-II reign by Sikhara, Prime Minister of Chandragupta-II. The object of the book was to give instructions to the king. The author defends the murder of Saka king by his sovereign.
(5) Sudraka’s Mricchakatika: Sudraka’s Mricchakatika describes the unstable political conditions of the Gupta period.
How it set standard of early Mediaeval India:
(1) Polity:
(i) Marriage Alliance: In the political field, we got evidence of Marriage alliance. For example, Prabhavati Gupta (Chandra Gupta II’s Daughter) and Vakataka Prince Rundrasena II. From Prabhavati copper inscription, we got to know that marriage alliances were well implemented and the evidence of these marriage alliances are also visible in early mediaeval India. Eg. Rajputana was developed with the marriage alliance during the time of Harshvardhana onwards and evidence of these are found in Gupta texts.
(ii) Pride and Bravery: Bravery and Pride was one of the basis of the decline of rajputs as opponents were ready to back off as and when needed. Evidence of these pride is also available from Gupta time. Eg. Dhruvadevi and Chandragupta II story.
According to the Sanskrit play Devi-Chandraguptam, which is now partially lost, Dhruvadevi was originally a queen of Chandragupta’s elder brother Ramagupta, who decided to surrender her to a Shaka enemy after being besieged. Chandragupta entered the enemy camp disguised as the queen, and killed the enemy.
(2) Society: Narayana/Narad Smriti and Kamandaka’s Nitisara, these two books were well developed during Gupta period. Gender and Caste roles which were basically prescribed for the society by these two books. Societal norms mentioned in these texts proliferated in early mediaeval India.
(3) Economy: Land grants (because of which Feudalism emerged) and land taxes were also continued to early mediaeval India whose base is evident in Gupta Classical literature. For example, In Amarasimha’s Amarakosha, we got to know different types of Land like Khila and Kshetra and in Praga Prashasti, we got to know about the concept of Grahan and Moksha.
(4) Diplomacy: From the Gupta period onwards the defeated kings were not killed & their territory was not annexed. In return they were made feudal lords of the Victorious King. So this new diplomatic alliance system (Grahan and Moksha) is also evident from Classical Gupta texts. From this alliance the regionalisation increased in India and its division started. For example, Gujra-Pratihara was divided into different parts.
(5) Literature: In Gupta texts, it is evident that women and Shudras spoke in the Prakrit language, which means the lack of influence of Sanskrit at the local level. From Prakrit, various regional languages started emerging in North India. Like Braj Bhasha, Maithili, Pali, Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, Gujarati and Marathi emerged from Prakrit.
(6) Religion: Two important aspects of religion i.e Love and Loyalty are also evident from Gupta period onwards. For example, Kalidasa’s Abhigyanashakuntalam and Shudraka’s Mrichhakatika fostered Bhakti Principles.
Conclusion:
In the end it can be stated that the Pan Indian empire of Guptas was bound to have an impact on India and their disintegration led to a process of syncretism because of which the similarities as discussed above can be witnessed.
