6. GUPTA DYNASTY :
TheGupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire
which existed from the early 4th century CE to
late 6th centuryCE. ChandraGupta established
Indiaâs second empire .At its top from
approximately 319 to 467 CE. It covered much of
the Indian subcontinent.
7. Rulers of the Gupta empire
Chandra Gupta I :The king of India
(reigned 320 CE to 330 CE) and founder
of the Gupta empire. He was the
grandson of Sri Gupta, the first known
ruler of the Gupta line. Chandra
Gupta I, whose early life is unknown,
became a local chief in the kingdom
of Magadha (parts of
modern Bihar state).
8.
9. Rulers of the Gupta empire
Chandragupta II: Also known by his title Vikramaditya, as
well as Chandragupta Vikramaditya, was the third ruler of
the Gupta Empire in India, and was one of the most powerful
emperors of the Gupta dynasty. Chandragupta II had the title
of Vikramaditya. He is often characterized as an ideal king
because of his generosity, courage, and patronage of
scholars. Gupta developed the religion hinduism through the
different belief systems that citizens believed in. When these
beliefs combined Hinduism was formed. Gupta had
developed inadvancements of Science, Engineering, art,
dialectics, laterature, logic, mathematics, astronomy,
religion, and philosophy .
10. ⢠The Huna People, also
known as Huns, invaded
Gupta territory and
caused significant damage
to the empire. The Gupta
Empire ended in 550 CE,
when it disintegrated into
regional kingdoms after a
series of weak rulers and
invasions from the east,
west, and north.
12. Contribution of Gupta Dynasty
Mathematics
⢠One of the important developments was the decimal system notation.The place-value
system achieved its final stage during this time. During the Gupta period, there was no
symbol for denoting âzeroâ. The mathematician Aryabhatta used the powers of ten with
null co-efficients to indicate âzeroâ. TheGuptaâs used alphabetical letters to represent
numbers. Aryabhattaâs technique was used to calculate the precise diameter of a
surface.
⢠Another important concept developed during this time wasTrigonometry. Calculations
for the area of a triangle were described. Concepts like âsineâ were also known to the
Gupta. New techniques also evolved during this period to solve problems based on
Diophantine equations or Aryabhatta algorithm, algebra and geometry.
13. Contribution of Gupta Dynasty
Astronomy
⢠One of the important developments was Aryabhattaâs theory that the earth
is round in shape and not flat. The theory of gravity was promulgated by the
astronomers of the Gupta period. Aryabhatta also proved that the earth
revolves around its own axis every day. He was of the opinion that the motion
of stars was a result of the motion caused by the rotation of the earth.
⢠This theory of Aryabhatta contradicts the previously believed notion that it is
the sky that rotates and not the stars. He believed that the Earthâs orbit is
elliptical and not circular. He scientifically elucidated the reasons for the
occurrence of the solar and lunar eclipse. Aryabhatta stated that the lunar
eclipse occurs when the moon enters into the shadow of the Earth. He also
calculated that it takes around 365 days for the earth to complete one
revolution around the sun.
14. Contribution of Gupta Dynasty
Medicine
During the Gupta period there was usage of mercuryand iron in medicine.The use of these
materials indicates the fact that the people belonging to the Gupta era had the knowledge of
chemistry and they even practiced it. Doctors during that time were aware of operations and
also knew how to conduct one when required.
Literature
Literature reached its pinnacle during the Gupta Dynasty. The primary themes of literature
were poetry and romantic comedies.The literature work of the Gupta period related to
human behavior more than the religious ideas. Sanskrit literature was very popular and was
sponsored by manyGupta empire rulers.Chandragupta II had nine poets in his court.The
supreme poet among these nine was Kalidasa.The Prakrit literature was also very popular
during the Gupta rule.One of the best illustrations of Prakrit literature was the
Paumacariyam.It was in the Gupta period that theVedic Puranas achieved their final form.
The Markandeya purana was popular during the Gupta era as it was believed that goddess
Durga was worshiped during this period
20. Contribution of Gupta Dynasty
Education
Education played an important role in the Gupta period. Primary education could be
procured by the people. Formal and higher education was procured by staying in agraharas
or monasteries. Women could obtain education, unlike in other parts of the world. There
were manyeducational institutions and universities set up in major cities.
Nalanda University was established by Kumaragupta I in the 5th century. The university was
an important learning center and was one of the first universities which provided hostels for
the students. The Takshila University was one of the first centers in the world which offered
higher education. The university was established before the Gupta Empire came into
existence, somewhere around 700 BCE. The standard of education of both the universities
was so high that it attracted students from as far as China and Persia.
21. Contribution of Gupta Dynasty
Art & Architecture
The Gupta period is generally regarded as a classic peak of North Indian art for
all the major religious groups. Although painting was evidently widespread, the
surviving works are almost all religious sculpture. The period saw the emergence
of the iconic carved stone deity in Hindu art, as well as the Buddha figure and
Jain tirthankara figures, the latter often on a very large scale.
The period of Gupta rule between 300 and 600 CE has been called the Golden
Age of India for its advances in science and emphasis on classical Indian art
and literature. Gupta rulers acquired much of the land previously held by the
Mauryan Empire, and peace and trade flourished under their rule.
22. Some important facts about Gupta Empire :
⢠1. Religion:The Gupta period also saw the worship of Kartikeya as the God of War.The Guptas,
being brave fighters, paid much devotion to this God for their victory in battles. The worship of
Surya also came into prominence. Many gods and goddesses came to be worshipped by the
people all over the land.The number of Hindu deities was innumerable. Because of such
developments, the Gupta Age is described by some historians as an age of Brahmanical revival.
Though the Puranic Hinduism was thus in its high tide, the Gupta Age also saw Buddhism and
Jainism growing in their own way according to the needs of the time. The Buddhist and Jaina
faiths had their many powerful exponents during this period. Great literary works on these
religions appeared from the pen of famous philosophers which enhanced the prestige of those
faiths.
The Mahayana Buddhism advocated the worship of the image of the Buddha and of the
Bodhisattvas. This brought it nearer to Hindu idol worship. Most interestingly, the Gupta period
saw the emergence of the image of the Buddha as Bhagavan.
23. Some important facts about Gupta Empire :
⢠2. Literature:
⢠The Gupta Age is regarded as the golden age of the Sanskrit literature. Sanskrit was both the state
language of the time as well as the language of religion and culture. Being the Lingua franca of India,
Sanskrit received utmost attention of the rulers and the educated, of religious and secular writers, and
of the preachers of various faiths.
⢠Great sages like Panini, Vararuchi, and Patanjali gave toSanskrit its required character as an attractive
medium of thought and expression, Brahmins, Buddhists, and Jainas equally favoured this language as
the sacred language of their religions. The imperial Guptas became the great patrons of Sanskrit. As a
result, the Sanskrit literature reached its lofty height during the Gupta Age.
24. Some important facts about Gupta Empire :
⢠3. Kalidasa:
⢠Kalidasawho is honoured as one of the greatest poets of the world, and is describedas the Shakespeareof
India, belongedto the Gupta period.An inscription,discoveredmost recently,in 1964, establisheshis birth
inUjjayiniand shows him as a contemporaryof KingVikramaditya,who was obviouslyChandragupta II
Vikramaditya.
⢠4.Sudraka:
⢠Sudraka, another famous Sanskrit author of the Gupta Age, wrote his wonderful socialdrama known as
Mrichchhakatikaor the âLittleClayCartâ. It containsmanyinterestingfeatures, such as, scenesof refined
humour, and of deep pathos.
⢠5.Visakhadatta:
⢠The celebrated author of the famous drama, Mudra-Rakshasawas Visakhadatta.This drama dealswith a
theme describingthe heroicdeeds of Chandragupta Maurya in comingto the throne of Magadha.Being a
politicaldrama,it containedexcitingscenes, full of suspense and interests
â˘
25. Some important facts about Gupta Empire :
⢠6.Vishnu Sharma:
⢠One of the most renowned literary works of the Gupta Age was the Panchatantra, composed by Vishnu Sharma. This has come to be regarded as a
notable contribution to the world literature. Its impact on theWestern world is most impressive.
⢠7.Philosophy:
⢠During the Gupta golden age, the Indian philosophy, like the Indian literature, passed through a vigorous phase of its development. The famous
Smritis ofYajnavalkya, Narada, Katyayana and Brihaspati were composed during this period. Early in the period, Sabarasvamin wrote his famous
Bhashya on the Mimamsa Sutras, making Mimamsa a complete system of philosophy.
⢠8.Architecture:
⢠The Gupta Age, being an age of intense religious interests, saw the construction of countless temples and other religious monuments. Majestic
temples for various Hindu gods such as Vishnu, Siva, Surya and Kartikeya, as well as splendid shrines for the Buddha, and the Jaina Tirthankaras were
erected in many parts of the country.
⢠9.Sculpture:
⢠The Gupta period saw the classic phase of Indian sculpture. Through centuries of evolution, this art of sculpture-making reached a stage of perfection.
The sculptors were matured enough to transform stone into images of superb beauty. They were under no external influence. Their technique of art
was at its best. In perfect precision and masterly skill, they could shape the stone into any object of attraction. They also set pattern to their art which
became an ideal model for the future. Their works became the model for the coming ages.
â˘
26. Some important facts about Gupta Empire :
⢠10.Art of Painting:
⢠The excellence of the art of painting was yet another glory of the GuptaAge. The fresco-paintings on
the walls and ceilings of the world famous Ajanta caves are the brightest examples of that refined art.
For millions of art-lovers from all parts of the world, Ajanta is like a place of pilgrimage. Much of the
Ajanta paintings did not survive the centuries of time. Of the 29 caves, the paintings of 16 caves
continued to exist till last century. But most of those precious art also got damaged or destroyed. Yet,
whatever of that artistic wealth could survive till now, are considered as wonders of world art heritage.
For all these above mentioned reasons, the culture of the Gupta Age went by its unique value and
excellence. Many features of that culture left the legacies for the future.
31. PAL DYNASTY:
pala dynasty, ruling dynasty in Bihar and Bengal, India, from the 8th to the 12th
century. Its founder,Gopala, was a local chieftain who rose to power in the mid-8th
century during a periodof anarchy His successor, Dharmapala(reigned c. 770â810),
greatly expanded the kingdomand for a while was in control of Kannauj. Pala
powerwas maintained under Devapala (reigned c. 810â850), who carried out raids
in the north, the Deccan, and the peninsula; but thereafter the dynasty declined in
power, and Mahendrapala,theGurjara-Pratiharaemperor of Kannauj in the late
9th and early 10th centuries, penetrated as far as northern Bengal. Pala strength
was restoredby Mahipala I (reigned c. 988â1038), whose influence reached as far
asVaranasi, but on his death the kingdom again weakened.
Ramapala(reigned c. 1077â1120),the last important Pala king, did much to
strengthen the dynasty in Bengal and expanded its power in Assam and Orissa. He
is the hero of a Sanskrit historical poem, the Ramacarita of Sandhyakara.
32. PAL DYNASTY:
The Palas were supporters of Buddhism, and it was through
missionaries from their kingdomthat Buddhism was finally
established inTibet. Under Pala patronage a distinctive school of
art arose, of whichmany noteworthysculptures in stone and metal
survive.
33. PAL DYNASTY:
Devapala(9thcentury) was the most powerful ruler of the Pala
Empire of Bengal region in the IndianSubcontinent.He was the
third king in the line, and had succeeded his father Dharamapala.
Devapala expanded the frontiers of the empire by conqueringthe
present-dayAssam andOrissa.
The Pala dynasty ruled the regions of Bengal and Bihar for about
400 years, from the 8th century until the end of the 11th century,
with about 20 leaders on the throne during the period.
34. PAL DYNASTY:
To begin to understand the Pala Dynasty, it's useful to look at
the state of affairs when the first ruler took power.The region that
is now north-eastern India and Bangladesh had been in a state
of anarchy for about a century followingthe fall of the Post
Gupta dynasty. Feudal lords had found themselves in a cycle of
petty conflict with no obvious path to resolution.
It wasn't until one feudal lord namedGopala managedto gain
the support of other leaders that stability started to emerge.
Through a democratic process, he took control of the region
calledVarendra, made up of north-western Bangladesh,West
Bengal, and the Indianarea of Bihar. He would be the founder and
first ruler of the Pala Empire.
35. PAL DYNASTY:
It was the dynasty's second ruler, the son ofGopala,
who would have the biggest impact, though. His name was
King Dharma Pala Deva (also knownas Dharmapala)and he
greatly expanded the territory of the empire, spreading across
northern India. He is regarded as an efficientadministrator and,
during this period, the region flourished economically
The Pala dynasty created
the environmentfor Buddhist monasteries to thrive and discuss
philosophies without prejudice. But ,importantly,it also facilitated
the spread of these ideas around the world, leaving a legacy that
we can still see today.
Rulers of Pala Empire
37. Legacy of the Pala Dynasty
⢠The Pala Empire was dethroned by the Hindu Sena dynasty in the
12th century.
⢠The Pala period is also known as a âGolden Eraâ in Bengalihistory.
⢠They built magnificentmonasteries and temples: Somapura
Mahavihara (in Bangladesh),Odantapuri Monastery.
⢠They also patronised Buddhist centres of learning like Nalanda
University and theVikramshilaUniversity.
⢠During this time, the Bengali language developed.The first Bengali
literary workCharyapada is attributed to this period. It was written
in anAbahatta (the commonancestor of Bengali,Assamese, Odia
and Maithili.
38. Legacy of the Pala Dynasty
⢠Balaputradeva, the Sailendra king of Java sent an ambassador to
Devapala.
⢠Buddhist poet Vajradatta who composed Lokesvarashataka was
in Devapalaâs court.
⢠Many Buddhist teachers from the Pala kingdom travelled to
Southeast Asia to spread the faith. Atisha preached in Sumatra
andTibet.
⢠Sanskrit scholars were also patronised by the Pala kings.
Gaudapada composed Agama Shastra during the time of the
Palas.
⢠The Pala art (art seen in Bengal and Bihar during the Pala regime)
influence is seen in the art of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma and Java.
39. Legacy of the Pala Dynasty
Devapala (9th century) was the most powerful ruler of the Pala
Empire of Bengal region in the Indian Subcontinent. He was the
third king in the line, and had succeeded his father Dharamapala.
Devapala expanded the frontiers of the empire by conquering the
present-day Assam and Orissa.
The Pala period is also known as a 'Golden Era' in Bengali history.
They built magnificent monasteries and temples: Somapura
Mahavihara (in Bangladesh), Odantapuri Monastery.They also
patronised Buddhist centres of learning like Nalanda University
and the Vikramshila University.
40.
41. SEN DYNASTY
Before the Sena Empireâs rise to
power, it was the Pala Dynasty
that exercised overlordship
over Bengal. Following the
death of Sansaka and vicious
civil strife, a confederation of
Indian kings electedGopala as
ruler in 750, the first of the Pala
Dynasty.
42. SEN DYNASTY
The first Sena to appear in recorded history was a man named Samantasena,
who had established a power base in western Bengal as a vassal lord pledging
fealty to the Pala after the plundering of the treasures of Karnata, a
civilization identified as the Cholas, between 1070 and 1095. As he grew older
however, Samantasenaâs taste for rulership lessened, and he decided to hand
over the reigns of power to his son Hermantasena in 1095 before settling down
on the banks of the Ganges River. Hermantasena, an obstinate warlord, further
developed the nucleus of power established by his father, taking advantage of
an internal Pala revolt by conquering large swathes of territory in Bengal to
create a principality in Radha. It was during the 64-year reign of Vijayasena,
starting in 1096, that power finally started to slip away from the Pala Dynasty.
Vijayasena, unhappy at the junior status of his newly inherited realm, which
only included a portion of south-west Bengal called Rahra, defeated one of the
last Pala emperors, Mandanapala, in 1152 or 1153, reducing his rivalâs power to
almost nothing and establishing a hereditary capital at Vikramapura in
modern-day Bangladesh.
43. SEN DYNASTY
In the years leading up to his victory,Vijayasena had made some
astute politicalmoves, establishing independenceover his
dominionas a reward for helping Ramapala defeat the
Kaivartas and further reinforcing his position by marrying
Vilasadevi, a princess of the Shura Dynasty who ruled southern
Radha, which enabled him to exercise control over the entire
region.
44. Decline of the Sena Empire
⢠King Laksmanasena
When Laksmanasena came to power in 1178 he was 50 years old,
which was considered extremely old for the time, yet the martial
achievementsof his youth proved he was just as strong and
capable as his predecessors. Inscriptions attest to his military
forays against the King ofGauda andVaransi and his invasions of
Kamarupa and Kalinga, conquests whichhe probably undertook
with his father and grandfather.
45. The Legacy of Sena Empire
After the fall of their empire in Bengal, Suryasena, the ousted
son ofVishvarupasena, moved to the Himalayas in 1220 and
established the kingdoms of Suket, Mandi, Keonthal, and
Kashtwar, allowingSena power to once again flourish, this time
in the areas around Nepal up until the 18th century, when they
were supplanted by theGorkhalis Dynasty.
46. The Legacy of Sena Empire
Hemantasena :The founder of Sen Dynasty,was originally a
tributary of the Pala dynasty. In the mid-11th century he
declared his independence and set himself up as king.
He had five Sanskrit scholars in his court called
Pancharatnas.Bakhtiyar Khilji, the militarygeneral of Ghurid
dynasty, entered Bengal in 1203 AD and defeated Lakshmana
Sena.
47. The Legacy of Sena Empire
LakshmanaSena was the last sophisticated ruler of
the Sena Dynasty,and his reign lasted nearly 20 years. During
this period, the Sena dynasty experienced significantexpansion
in Bihar andOdishaThe Sena Empire,a Hindu dynasty,
ruled Bengal from the 11th to 12th century AD.The
BengalSena Dynasty belonged to the Karnata Brahmana-
Kshatriya clan in South India.Senas succeeded the Palas as
Bengal's ruler.
48. The Senas - Background
⢠The Sena Dynasty ruled Bengal from approximately 1097 to 1225 CE.
⢠The Sena dynasty ruled the majority of the Indian subcontinent's
northeast. Previously, the Pala dynasty ruled over both Bihar and
Bengal.
⢠The Sena rulers were devout Hindus, as opposed to the Palas, who were
Buddhists.They originated in the south Indian region of Karnataka,
according to the Deopara inscription.
⢠The inscription mentions Samantha Sen, one of the southern founders,
whose successor was Hemanta Sen, the first of the family to be given
royal epithets in the family records, and who seized power from the
Palas and styled himself king in around 1095 CE.
⢠His successor, Vijaya Sena, was instrumental in laying the groundwork
for the dynasty.
49. Importance of the Senas
⢠The credit of safeguarding Bengal from anarchy after the fall of the Pala
Dynasty goes to the Senas.
⢠The Senas believed in Hinduism.They contributed towards the revival of
Hinduism and Sanskrit literature in Bengal.
⢠Ballal Sena and Lakshmana Sena were great intellectuals and both
patronized scholars and education.
⢠Jayadeva, the writer of Halayudha and Gita Govinda, was patronized by
them.
The Sena rulers merged the caste framework in Bengal. Albeit Bengal
acquired from the standing arrangement of Mithila, position was not all
that solid in Bengal as in Mithila.
50. ⢠The Sena administrationis acclaimed for building Hindu
temples and religious communities, whichincorporate the
prestigious DhakeshwariTemple in what is presently Dhaka,
Bangladesh. In Kashmir, the line additionallylikely fabricated a
temple, whichis credited to a Gaureshwara or BallalaSena.
⢠The Sena rulers were additionallyextraordinary benefactors of
writing.Amid the Pala administrationand theSena line, real
developmentin Bengali was seen. Some Bengali creators trust
that Jayadeva, the acclaimedSanskrit writer and writer ofGita
Govinda, was one of the Pancharatnas(five gems) in the court
of LakshmanSen.
51. Conclusion
TheCopper Plates have confirmed the majority of the Sena
Kings' history.They fought with Palas andGauda, and their
battles were confined to Bengal,Assam, and parts of Orissa.
A Deva dynasty conquered their territories in the 12th
century.The Deva dynasty was eventually swept away by
Bakhtiyar Khilji's invasion, and we later find the Mamluk
Dynasty of the Slave Kingdoms as rulers of Bengal and
Bihar.
