Gupta Period – Administration, Religion, Fine Arts, Architecture & Ajanta Painting (Part-2)

The Gupta period (4th–6th century CE) occupies a special place in Indian history. It was a time of political stability, economic prosperity, and remarkable achievements in religion, literature, art, and architecture. Historians often call it the “Classical Age of India” due to the flourishing of cultural and intellectual activities. The Guptas developed a well-organized administrative system, promoted Hinduism along with other faiths, and patronized architecture, sculpture, and painting on a large scale. This period not only strengthened India’s cultural foundations but also influenced religious and artistic developments across Asia.

Gupta Administration

Important Officials in the Gupta Period:

• Sandhi Vigrahaka – Head of Foreign Affairs

• Kumaramatya – High-ranking officers

• Mahabala Adhikrita – Commander-in-chief

• Bhata-Ashwapati – Officer in charge of cavalry

• Katuka / Pilupati – Officer in charge of elephants

• Dandapashadhikarana – Head of Police Department

• Shaulkika – Customs officer

• Mahadandanayaka – Chief Justice

• Akshapataladhikrita – Head of Accounts Department

• Hiranika and Audrangika – Tax collection officers

Administrative Divisions:

• The Gupta Empire was divided into many Bhuktis (provinces). The head of a Bhukti was called Uparika.

• Each Bhukti was further divided into Vishayas (districts). The officer in charge was called Vishayapati.

• The Gramani was the officer who administered villages.

• Urban governance was carried out by Nigama Sabhas consisting of merchants.

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Religious Conditions

During the Gupta age, remarkable changes took place in the field of religion. Bhakti-centered Hinduism emerged in its complete form. Almost all other ancient religions of India gradually merged into Hinduism. Within Hinduism, two major sects evolved – Vaishnavism and Shaivism.

Vaishnavism

During the Gupta period, the concept of ten incarnations (Dashavatara) of Vishnu became widely popular. It was strongly believed that Vishnu incarnated many times to uphold Dharma.

1. Matsya Avatar – Vishnu took the form of a fish to save Manu from a great flood.

2. Kurma Avatar – Vishnu became a tortoise to support Mount Mandara during the churning of the ocean for nectar.

3. Varaha Avatar – Vishnu took the form of a boar to slay the demon Hiranyaksha and rescue the Earth.

4. Narasimha Avatar – Vishnu appeared as half-man, half-lion to kill the demon Hiranyakashipu.

5. Vamana Avatar – Vishnu, as a dwarf, pushed King Bali to the underworld. (Malayalis celebrate Onam in memory of Bali).

6. Parashurama Avatar – Vishnu incarnated as axe-wielding Rama to destroy Kshatriyas and kill King Kartavirya Arjuna.

7. Rama Avatar – Vishnu incarnated as bow-wielding Rama to kill Ravana, the king of Lanka.

8. Krishna Avatar – Vishnu incarnated as Krishna to kill the tyrant king Kamsa of Mathura.

9. Buddha Avatar – According to Puranas, Vishnu incarnated as Buddha to preach Ahimsa and social equality.

10. Kalki Avatar – It is believed Vishnu will incarnate as Kalki at the end of Kali Yuga.

Shaivism

Shaivism was another major sect within Hinduism, with many sub-sects emerging in ancient times.

1. Pashupata Shaivism – The extremist sect of Shaivism founded in the 2nd century CE in Gujarat by Lakulisa, who authored the text Panchartha Vidya.

2. Kapalika and Kalamukha – Two sub-sects of Pashupata Shaivism that emerged during the 4th–5th centuries CE.

3. Aghora Shaivism – Founded by Aghora Shivacharya in the 12th century CE, still found in Kashi. They are said to consume excreta and even human flesh.

4. Moderate Shaiva Sub-sects – Alongside extremist sects, moderate Shaiva traditions also developed.

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Fine Arts

Historians traditionally describe the Gupta period as the Golden Age of India, due to extraordinary progress in fine arts and literature. However, modern historians disagree, arguing that a true “Golden Age” must show overall progress in all aspects of life, not just in arts and literature. Still, since architecture, sculpture, painting, and literature reached great heights, the Gupta age is rightly called the Classical Age of Indian culture.

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Architecture

Both Buddhist and Hindu architecture flourished during the Gupta period. Although the Guptas were Vaishnavas, they supported all religions, reflecting secular ideals.

Buddhist Architecture

• A new style of Buddhist sculpture called the Sarnath School emerged. Centered around Sarnath near Kashi, its famous sculptures depict Buddha in the Dharmachakra Pravartana Mudra (teaching gesture).

• The 7.5-foot copper Buddha statue found at Sultan Ganj (Bihar), now preserved in the Birmingham Museum (UK), belongs to this period.

• The Guptas built many Buddhist cave monasteries and chaityas, including several in Ajanta and Bagh (Madhya Pradesh).

Hindu Architecture

The Guptas were the first to build enduring Hindu temples in India. They built both cave temples and structural temples.

• At Udayagiri (Madhya Pradesh), they built 20 cave temples, the earliest Hindu cave temples in India, dedicated to Shaiva and Vaishnava deities.

• The most famous sculpture here is the Varaha panel, depicting Vishnu in his boar form lifting the Earth.

• Structural temples built by the Guptas, mostly in Madhya Pradesh, were constructed in the Shikhara/Nagara style, which continues in North India today.

Note: In Hindu temples, the tower above the sanctum is called the Vimana, while the entrance gateway is the Gopuram. The shape of the Vimana differs across Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara styles.

Important Gupta Temples:

1. Kankali Devi Temple – Tigawa (Madhya Pradesh)

2. Vishnu and Varaha Temples – Eran (Madhya Pradesh); famous for the standing Harihara sculpture

3. Parvati Temple & Chaumukh Nath (Mahadev) Temple – Nachna Kuthara (Madhya Pradesh)

4. Shiva Temple – Bhitargaon (Madhya Pradesh); noted for Mahishasuramardini sculpture

5. Dashavatara Temple – Deogarh (Uttar Pradesh); famous for Anantashayana Vishnu and Gajendra Moksha panels

6. Bhitargaon Temple – Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh); considered the oldest surviving structural Hindu temple in India, though in ruins.

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Ajanta Sculptures & Paintings

Ajanta is located in Aurangabad district (Maharashtra), in the Sahyadri mountain ranges. It is a magnificent collection of Buddhist architecture, sculpture, and paintings, and was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized in India.

• Ajanta has 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves, including monasteries (Viharas) and prayer halls (Chaityas).

• Inscriptions suggest construction occurred between the 2nd century BCE and 8th century CE, supported by dynasties like the Satavahanas, Abhiras, Vakatakas, Guptas, and Badami Chalukyas.

• The walls and ceilings were decorated with paintings based on Jataka tales, depicting the life of Buddha and Bodhisattvas like Padmapani and Vajrapani.

• The famous sculpture here is the Mahaparinirvana Buddha (the dying Buddha).

• Ajanta was abandoned with the decline of Buddhism around the 8th century CE and rediscovered in 1819 by a British officer named John Smith.

The Gupta age was truly a turning point in Indian civilization. While modern historians debate whether it was a “Golden Age” in every aspect, there is no doubt that the Guptas laid the foundation of India’s classical culture. Their contributions to religion, temple architecture, sculpture, and painting gave India its distinct cultural identity, which continues to inspire even today. Thus, the Gupta period can rightly be regarded as the “Classical Age of Indian History,” reflecting a perfect blend of political stability and cultural brilliance.