This chapter explains the rise of new empires, powerful regional kingdoms, and administrative developments in India after the Mauryas, highlighting the Guptas, Harsha, and the southern dynasties.

Rise of the Gupta Empire

• The Gupta dynasty began about 1700 years ago
• Chandragupta I adopted the grand title Maharaj-adhiraja
• His son Samudragupta was a powerful military ruler

Prashasti of Samudragupta

• Samudragupta’s achievements are described in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription
• This inscription is a Prashasti (meaning “in praise of”)
• It was composed in Sanskrit by his court poet Harishena
• The king is praised as:
  • A great warrior
  • Equal to the gods
• Prashastis often mention the genealogy (ancestors) of rulers

Samudragupta’s Policy Towards Other Rulers

The Prashasti mentions four categories of rulers:

1. Rulers of Aryavarta – defeated and annexed
2. Rulers of Dakshinapatha – defeated but reinstated
3. Neighbouring states (Assam, Bengal, Nepal) – paid tribute
4. Descendants of Kushanas – acknowledged Gupta supremacy

📌 Dakshinapatha refers to the southern route and region

Harshavardhana and His Kingdom

• Harshavardhana ruled about 1400 years ago
• Initial capital: Thanesar
• Later ruled from Kanauj
• Information about his reign comes from:
  • Harshacharita, written by Banabhatta
• The Chinese pilgrim Xuan Zang stayed in Harsha’s court

📌 Harsha was powerful initially, but his empire did not last long

Kingdoms of South India

After the decline of the Satavahanas, regional kingdoms emerged:

The Chalukyas

• Ruled from the Raichur Doab (between Krishna & Tungabhadra rivers)
• Capital: Vatapi (Badami)
• Famous ruler: Pulakeshin II
• His achievements are known from a poem by Ravikirti
• Pulakeshin II checked the advance of Harsha

The Pallavas

• Ruled parts of southern India from the 6th to 8th centuries
• Capital: Kanchipuram
• Famous for:
  • Monolithic temples
  • Rock-cut architecture at Mamallapuram

Administration and Army

• Land revenue was the main source of income
• Kings maintained well-organised armies consisting of:
  • Elephants
  • Chariots
  • Cavalry
  • Foot soldiers
• Important officials:
  • Kumar-amatya – senior minister
  • Maha-danda-nayaka – chief judicial officer
  • Sandhi-Vigrahika – minister of war and peace

Local Assemblies and Towns

• Sabha – assembly of Brahmin landowners
• Ur – village assembly (non-Brahmin areas)
• Nagaram – organisation of merchants
• Key urban officials:
  • Nagara-shreshthi – chief merchant/banker
  • Prathama-kulika – chief craftsman
  • Sarbhavaha – leader of merchant caravans

Social Conditions

• Ordinary people faced economic hardships
• Untouchables were treated poorly
• Society was unequal, despite economic growth

Key Terms

Timeline