Post-Gupta Period: Political,Economic Religious life

Post-Gupta Period

Post-Gupta Period: Political, Social, Economic Religious and Cultural life

Political life

The decline of The Gupta Dynasty a little after the fifth century A.D. triggered a process of political fragmentation in the whole subcontinent. Feudatories and subjugated powers declared their independence and made way for emergence of small kingdoms. It gave rise to a period of rivalry and competition to gain political supremacy. The extent of the kingdoms of early Medieval India was flexible and was centered on nuclear areas that became political centres. The different ruling dynasties that gained supremacy after the fall of the Gupta power were the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, the Maukahris in the Kannauj province, the later Guptas, the Maitrikas of Vallabhi and Sasanka of Bengal (Gauda) and so on. The Deccan and the far South were similarly divided into small kingdoms. The different dynasties that dominated the Deccan and the southernmost states were the Vishnukundins, Kadambas, the Pandyas, Cheras and Cholas. This period has been portrayed by scholars as a period of feudalization of the Indian economy characterized by‘decline of Trade and Commerce’. An area-wise study would help us to understand the regional differences in exchange Network in the period between the fifth and the eighth century A.D.

Social life in post gupta

So far we have discussed the political condition. The present section will deal with Society and economic condition of post Gupta period. A number of important changes took place in Indian Society in the post Gupta period. The land grants paved the way for feudal development in India from the fifth century onwards. The peasants were asked to remain in the land granted to the beneficiaries. The villages transferred to the grantees were called sthana-jana-sahita and janata samriddha. All these worked for a close economy which contributed to the decline of trade and commerce in the post Gupta period.

The Growth of the feudal society in India had far reaching effects. It weakened the position of the king and made him more dependent on the feudal chiefs. Most of them maintained their own military forces. The domination of the feudal chiefs also weakened the village self-government.

This period witnessed the ascendancy of varnashramadharma. Hiuen Tsang writes about the existence of four varnas in the society. Both Bana and Hiuen Tsang inform us about the existence of many sub castes. The position of Women seems to have suffered a further decline during this period. Sati and dowry were prevalent. As for marriage, the smriti writers state that girls were to be given away by their parents between the ages of six and eight years. In general women were distrusted. They were to be kept in seclusion. Their lives were dominated by the male relations like father, brother, husband and son. However, various stories point to the skill of princesses in the fine arts, specially in painting and in music.

Economic life in post gupta period

The Land grants was issued in both the field’s i.e. religious fields and secular fields. The religious land grants were given to Brahmins and it was a custom which was sanctified by the dharamshastras, Puranas and Mahabharata. Secular land grants were given to officers for their administrative and military Services.

The historical records suggest that by the 400- 500 AD this developed in the region of MP, 700AD- Assam, 1000 AD- Kerala and eventually became a pan India phenomenon. The socio-economic impact of the land grants is to be perceived in the Light of beneficiaries also. The system of the Land grants expanded under the Guptas. Guptas political system is characterised by the existence of feudatories or vassals known as Samantas.

These Samantas held a considerable part of empire which was beyond the directly administered area. The system acquired many new features in the course of time upto 1200 AD. Contemporary references suggest the practice of conferment of fiscal and administrative immunities on the beneficiaries, like the transfer of rights over mines and salt etc.

Growing importance of land and land influencing economic relations. Development of certain associated features i.e. trends of localism, trends of closed economy, and trends of growth of self sufficient village economy.

Gradually the entire socio-economic relations got affected by the system of land grants. The notion of land and land rights influenced society and gave it a feudal shape and land rights emerged as a new basis of social structure/ hierarchy, cutting across the Varna System. Acquisition of land and land rights established a new status irrespective of social origin.

Religions in post gupta period

Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism had lost its popularity and was limited to a few places. Towards the close of the fifth century A.D. The Huna Invasion dealt a death blow to Buddhism in North- Western India. The Hunas destroyed Buddhist temples and monasteries and massacred the Buddhist monks.

The effects of Huna invasion can be clearly perceived from the account of HiuenTsang. When Hiuen Tsang visited India (629-645 A.D.) Harshavardhan’s patronage of Buddhism gave a temporary lease of life to the decaying religion in North India. The facts recorded by him are sufficient to show that Buddhism had lost its strong hold except in Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

In the previous unit we have already discussed that Buddfhism was divided into two sects viz. Hinayana and Mahayana. In Mahayana form of Buddhism Buddha was worshipped as god. In the post Gupta period, this worship became more and more elaborate with devotional songs and was accompanied by rites and ceremonies. Tantricism had a great hold on Mahayana form of Buddhism. Tantricism advocated that a person could attain supernatural power through secret rituals and by uttering magical words called mantras. This encouraged superstition. The association of Buddhism with magical cults was a confusing development, since much of its original ethical teaching was now submerged in rituals.

Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism remained the dominant Religion in India. It was patronized by most of the rulers. The prevalent forms of Hinduism were Vaishnavism and Saivism. Two characteristics of the religious life of the preceding period viz. toleration and worship of images continued in full force. The worship of Siva seems to have been a general practice in early days. Great rulers like Sasanka and Harshavardhana, great poets like Kalidasa, Bhababhuti etc. all were ardent worshippers of Siva without probably belonging to any particular sect. By the 6th century A.D. Saivism had spread to the extreme south . Saiva sects also developed very rapidly. In the seventh century B.C. Hiuen Tsang found ‘Many professed Pasupatas’ as far west as Baluchistan. Varanasi was also a strong hold of the Saivas. It was adorned with many temples. In South India Saivism became very popular in 500 A.D. There were a large number of saiva saints, called Nayanars who greatly contributed to the growth of Saivism in South India. There were two other important Saiva sects, viz. Virasaivas and Lingayats, who gave great prominence to the Linga (phallus) and the Nandin or the Bull which is said to the vahana (vehicle) of Siva. The Saiva religion became popular in South India under the patronage of The Cholas. Magnificent temples and monastic establishments testify to its former grandeur. Even the Buddhist Pala kings of Bengal established Saiva temples. The Sena kings were professed Saivas.

Jainism gained popularity among the trading classes in north and west India. In south India Jainism was patronized by the Chalukyas, Gangas and the Rastrakuta rulers. But from the 7th century A.D. Jainism began to decline in south India on account of the influence of Saivism and Vaishnavism. The Cholas and the Pandyas were bigoted Saivas and they are said to have persecuted the Jainas. However, unlike Buddhists, the Jainas had not disappeared in the land of their birth. Gujarat and Rajputana, their stong hold had suffered less from the invasions of Mohammedans.

The Post-Gupta Period was a time of political, economic, and religious change in India. The following are some of the subtopics that are covered in this period:

Political: The Post-Gupta Period was a time of political fragmentation. The Gupta Empire had collapsed, and there were many small kingdoms vying for power. This led to a period of instability and warfare.
Economic: The Post-Gupta Period was a time of economic growth. The Indian economy was based on agriculture, and there was a growing trade network. This led to an increase in wealth and prosperity.
Religious: The Post-Gupta Period was a time of religious change. Hinduism and Buddhism were the two major religions, but there was also a growing interest in Jainism and other religions. This led to a period of religious Tolerance and diversity.

Here are some additional details about each of these subtopics:

Political: The Post-Gupta Period was a time of political fragmentation. The Gupta Empire had collapsed, and there were many small kingdoms vying for power. This led to a period of instability and warfare. The most powerful of these kingdoms were the Pala Empire in Bengal, the Pratihara Empire in central India, and the Rashtrakuta Empire in the Deccan.

The Pala Empire was founded in the 8th century by Gopala. The Palas were a Buddhist dynasty, and they ruled over Bengal and Bihar for over 300 years. The Palas were patrons of the arts and sciences, and they built many temples and monasteries. The Pratihara Empire was founded in the 7th century by Harichandra. The Pratiharas were a Hindu dynasty, and they ruled over central India for over 200 years. The Pratiharas were known for their military prowess, and they were able to keep the Arabs from invading India. The Rashtrakuta Empire was founded in the 8th century by Dantidurga. The Rashtrakutas were a Hindu dynasty, and they ruled over the Deccan for over 200 years. The Rashtrakutas were known for their military prowess, and they were able to defeat the Chalukyas, who were the most powerful dynasty in India at the time.

Economic: The Post-Gupta Period was a time of economic growth. The Indian economy was based on agriculture, and there was a growing trade network. This led to an increase in wealth and prosperity. The main crops grown in India were rice, wheat, and barley. Trade was conducted with other parts of Asia, as well as with the Middle East and Europe.

India was a major exporter of spices, textiles, and other goods. The Indian economy was also boosted by the growth of the Indian Ocean trade. The Indian Ocean trade was a network of trade routes that connected India with other parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The Indian Ocean trade was a major source of wealth for India, and it helped to stimulate the Indian economy.

Religious: The Post-Gupta Period was a time of religious change. Hinduism and Buddhism were the two major religions, but there was also a growing interest in Jainism and other religions. This led to a period of religious tolerance and diversity.

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that is based on the Vedas, a collection of sacred texts. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and it is the majority religion in India. Hinduism is a complex religion with a rich history and tradition. Buddhism is a non-theistic religion that is based on the teachings of the Buddha. Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world, and it is the majority religion in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bhutan. Buddhism is a religion that emphasizes peace, compassion, and wisdom. Jainism is a religion that emphasizes non-violence and asceticism. Jainism is the sixth largest religion in the world, and it is the majority religion in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Jainism is a religion that emphasizes non-harming and living a simple life.

The Post-Gupta Period was a time of great change in India. The Gupta Empire had collapsed, and there were many small kingdoms vying for power. This led to a period of instability and warfare. However, the Post-Gupta Period was also a time of economic growth and religious tolerance. The Indian economy was based on agriculture, and there was a growing trade network. This led to an increase in wealth and prosperity. Hinduism and Buddhism were the two major religions, but there was also a growing interest in Jainism and other religions. This led to a period of religious tolerance and diversity.

The Post-Gupta Period was a time of great change and upheaval in India. The Gupta Empire, which had ruled over much of the subcontinent for centuries, collapsed in the early 6th century AD. This led to a period of political fragmentation, as different kingdoms and dynasties vied for power.

The economic life of India also changed during this period. The Guptas had been patrons of trade and commerce, and their empire had been a major center of economic activity. However, after the Guptas’ collapse, trade declined and the economy became more localized.

The religious life of India also underwent a transformation during the Post-Gupta Period. The Guptas had been patrons of Hinduism, and the religion had flourished under their rule. However, after the Guptas’ collapse, Hinduism came under attack from Buddhism and Jainism.

Despite the political, economic, and religious upheavals of the Post-Gupta Period, India remained a vibrant and dynamic society. The arts and sciences flourished, and new ideas and technologies were introduced from other parts of the world.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Post-Gupta Period:

What was the Post-Gupta Period?
The Post-Gupta Period was a time of great change and upheaval in India. The Gupta Empire, which had ruled over much of the subcontinent for centuries, collapsed in the early 6th century AD. This led to a period of political fragmentation, as different kingdoms and dynasties vied for power.
What were the major political developments of the Post-Gupta Period?
The major political developments of the Post-Gupta Period were the collapse of the Gupta Empire and the rise of different kingdoms and dynasties. The Gupta Empire had been a major center of economic activity, and its collapse led to a decline in trade and commerce. The rise of different kingdoms and dynasties led to a period of political fragmentation.
What were the major economic developments of the Post-Gupta Period?
The major economic developments of the Post-Gupta Period were the decline of trade and commerce and the rise of local economies. The Gupta Empire had been a major center of economic activity, and its collapse led to a decline in trade and commerce. The rise of local economies led to a more localized economy.
What were the major religious developments of the Post-Gupta Period?
The major religious developments of the Post-Gupta Period were the attack on Hinduism by Buddhism and Jainism and the introduction of new ideas and technologies from other parts of the world. Hinduism had flourished under the Guptas, but it came under attack from Buddhism and Jainism after the Guptas’ collapse. New ideas and technologies were introduced from other parts of the world, such as China and the Middle East.
What was the impact of the Post-Gupta Period on Indian society?
The impact of the Post-Gupta Period on Indian society was significant. The political, economic, and religious upheavals of the period led to a period of change and transformation. However, India remained a vibrant and dynamic society, and the arts and sciences flourished.

The economic situation in India also changed during this time. The Guptas had been patrons of trade and commerce, and their empire had been a major center of economic activity. However, after the Guptas fell, trade declined and the economy suffered.

Religious life in India also underwent a transformation during the Post-Gupta Period. The Guptas had been patrons of Hinduism, and the religion had flourished under their rule. However, after the Guptas fell, Hinduism came under attack from Buddhism and Jainism.

Despite the challenges of this time, India made significant progress in many areas during the Post-Gupta Period. The arts and sciences flourished, and new technologies were developed. India also began to interact with other cultures, and this led to a period of cultural exchange.

Here are some MCQs about the Post-Gupta Period:

Which of the following was not a major change that occurred during the Post-Gupta Period?
(A) Political fragmentation
(B) Economic decline
(C) Religious transformation
(D) Cultural exchange
Which of the following was a major achievement of the Post-Gupta Period?
(A) The development of new technologies
(B) The flourishing of the arts and sciences
(C) The interaction with other cultures
(D) All of the above
Which of the following was not a major challenge that India faced during the Post-Gupta Period?
(A) Political fragmentation
(B) Economic decline
(C) Religious persecution
(D) Cultural isolation
Which of the following was the most important factor in the decline of the Gupta Empire?
(A) The rise of new kingdoms and dynasties
(B) The decline of trade and commerce
(C) The attack of Buddhism and Jainism
(D) The invasion of foreign powers
Which of the following was the most important factor in the progress of India during the Post-Gupta Period?
(A) The development of new technologies
(B) The flourishing of the arts and sciences
(C) The interaction with other cultures
(D) All of the above