10 Questions
What was unique about the Guptas' attitude towards other religions?
They were tolerant towards other religions
What was the administration of the Gupta period characterized by?
A decentralized system with weak central authority
What was unique about the Gupta period in terms of art?
It was rich in aspects of art but deficient in architectural aspects
What was the role of the gramadhyaksha in the Gupta administration?
He was the Village headman
What was a unique feature of the Ajanta Paintings?
They were a depiction of the cultural richness of the Gupta period
What was the significance of the bronze image of Buddha recovered from Sultanganj?
It was a testament to the tolerance of the Guptas towards other religions
What was the role of the king in the Gupta administration?
He was in charge of ensuring the security of the countrymen
What was the hierarchical structure of the Gupta administration?
King -> Uparika -> Vishyapati -> Gramadhyaksha
What was the significance of the Gupta period in Indian history?
It was hailed as the period of 'Efflorescence' or the 'Classical age'
What was unique about the Gupta period in terms of metal casting?
The art of casting metal images reached its climax
Study Notes
The Gupta Period
- Known as the period of 'Efflorescence' or the 'Classical age' or the 'Golden age'
- Characterized by the presence of idols of Lord Vishnu, Shiva, and other Hindu Gods
- Tolerant towards other religions, as evident from the 25-meter bronze image of Buddha recovered from Sultanganj, Bhagalpur
- The Ajanta Paintings, which largely belong to this period, showcase the cultural richness of the time
Art and Architecture
- Reached its climax in metal image casting during this period
- Deficient in architectural aspects, with only a few brick temples made of brick from Uttar Pradesh and a stone temple recovered
- Important brick temples include Bhitargaon in Kanpur, Bhitari in Ghazipur, and Deogarh in Jhansi
Administration
- Decentralized in nature, with the king as the central figure
- Kings adopted pompous titles such as maharajadhiraja, parama bhattaraka, parameshvara, etc. to exalt their status
- The post of king was hereditary, but the practice of primogeniture was not followed
- The king was responsible for ensuring the security of the countrymen from foreign invasions and leading the army in case of conflicts
- Kings were assisted by princes, ministers, and advisors
Provincial Administration
- Empire divided into Provinces referred to as desha, rashtra, or bhukti, headed by an uparika
- Provinces further subdivided into districts called Vishayas, led by a Vishyapati
- Vishayas further divided into Villages, led by a Village headman called gramadhyaksha or gramika, who played a major role in village affairs
Quiz about the Gupta Period, known as the 'Golden Age' of India, characterized by cultural and artistic developments.
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