Experts have designed these Class 7 SST Notes Chapter 7 The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity Class 7 Notes for effective learning.
Class 7 The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity Notes
Class 7 SST Chapter 7 The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity Notes
Class 7 SST Chapter 7 Notes – The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity Notes Class 7
→ Emerged: To come into view or become known.
→ Prominence: Become well-known.
→ Established: Started or created something that lasted a long time.
→ Renowned: Known and admired by many people.
→ Inscription: Words or symbols that are written, carved, or engraved on a stone or metal (copper plate or on wood).
→ Minted: Created or made (coins).
→ Tributary: A payment made to show loyalty or submission.
→ Manuscripts: Original handwritten works before they are printed.
→ Travelogue: A story or report about travel.
→ Outcastes: People who are excluded from a society or a group.
→ Perspectives: Different ways of analysing or interpreting a situation.
→ Regent ruler: A person who rules temporarily for a monarch.
→ Provinces: Major administrative regions within a country.
→ Strategically: In a way that is planned purposefully.
→ Prolonged: Lasting longer than usual.
→ Flourished: Grew well or became successful.
→ Metallurgy: The study and use of metals.
→ Codified: Written down in a systematically organised way.
→ Deities: Gods or divine entities.
→ Aesthetics: Refers to the concept of beauty and artistic style of something.
→ Patrons: Supporters or sponsors of something.
→ Prosperous: Successful and wealthy.
The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity Class 7th Notes
A NEW POWER EMERGES
- By the 3rd century CE, the Kushana Empire in the north and northwest of the subcontinent started to weaken.
- The Gupta Empire was founded by Chandragupta I around 320 CE in the region of present-day Uttar Pradesh and became powerful under Chandragupta II.
- The empire reached its peak under Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) in the fields of art, architecture, literature, and science.
- The inscription on the Iron Pillar in Delhi mentions a king named “Chandra”, identified as Chandragupta II, also known as ‘Vikramaditya’.
THE WARRIOR KING
- Harisena was the court poet and minister of Samudragupta (Father of Chandragupta II).
- He composed a famous inscription called the Prayag Prashasti on a pillar in Prayagraj.
- The inscription is written in Sanskrit and uses the Brahmi script.
- It reveals that Samudragupta’s ambition was to be ‘dharani-bandha’ meaning to ‘unite the earth’.
- It honours Samudragupta for his bravery, military victories, and personal qualities.
- It describes how he defeated many rulers in both northern and southern India.
- Some kings were defeated in battle, others surrendered, and some paid tribute.
- The inscription shows that Samudragupta was also a patron of art, music, and learning.
- It is an important source for understanding the extent and power of the Gupta Empire.
- Inscriptions on coins were used by rulers to highlight their achievements, with religious symbols and beliefs often depicted on them.
- Literaiy sources, such as Vishnu Purana, provide detailed information about rulers, kingdoms and people.
- The Ashvamedha yajna (a Vedic ritual performed by kings by releasing a horse with warriors to roam free and demonstrate their right to rule on that land) was also minted on coins to emphasise the power and legacy of the empire.
A TRAVELLER’S ACCOUNT OF INDIAN SOCIETY IN THE GUPTA AGE
- Faxian was a Chinese Buddhist monk and traveller who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II, around early 5th century BCE.
- He came to India to collect Buddhist scriptures and study Buddhism at its place of origin.
- He travelled across northern India, visiting places like Pataliputra, Kausambi, and Bodh Gaya.
- Faxian praised the peaceful and prosperous conditions during the Gupta rule.
- He observed that the people lived happily, and charitable institutions like hospitals and rest houses were available for the poor and travellers by the Vaishya families (traders or merchants).
- His writings provide valuable first-hand information about the social, religious, and economic life during the Gupta period.
- Faxian’s travelogue is considered an important historical source for understanding life in India under the Gupta rule.
- Faxian also mentions the mistreatment of the chandalas, who were considered outcasts and lived beyond the city limits.
GLIMPSES OF THE GUPTA EMPIRE
Governance and administration
- Kautilya suggested that rulers make alliances (mitra) as part of the saptanga.
- They used titles such as ‘Maharajadhiraja’, ‘samrat’, and ‘chakravartin’ to show their power.
- They used military conquests, diplomacy, and alliances to grow and strengthen their empire.
- Prabhavati Gupta, daughter of Chandragupta II, was married to a prince of the Vakataka kingdom – the Guptas’ neighbours to the south. Unfortunately he died at young age, making her the regent ruler (A temporary Ruler).
- She built seven temples dedicated to Vishnu and his various forms.
- The Gupta empire was divided into provinces and granted land to local rulers, priests and chieftains.
- This system helped ensure proper tax collection and allowed the Gupta rulers to govern efficiently.
THRIVING TRADE
- Land tax was the primary source of revenue for the Guptas, fines, taxes on mines, irrigation, trade and crafts were other sources of revenue.
- This revenue funded administration, the army, temple and infrastructure construction, and support for scholars and artists.
- The Gupta Empire promoted trade. During this period, India traded textiles, ivory, spices, and gemstones with Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and China.
- The Indian Ocean trade network linked Indian ports to foreign markets, with Socotra Island as a key stop, where Indian, Egyptian, Arabian, Roman, and Greek traders exchanged goods and culture.
- Many archaeological evidences were found at the Socotra island, like inscriptions in Brahmi script, pottery and Buddhist stupas.
NEW IDEAS AND WONDERS: THE CLASSICAL AGE
- Though the Gupta rulers were devoted to Vishnu, they also supported other religions and Buddhist institutions like Nalanda University, showing an open minded approach.
- The peace and stability of the Gupta era led to advancements in literature, science, and the arts, making it known as the ‘classical age’ of India.
- Scholars like Aryabhata and Vahmihira made major advances in mathematics, astronomy, and other sciences, while Kalidasa greatly enriched Sanskrit literature with his refined poetry.
- Medical texts with theories and practices were also recorded at that time.
- The Gupta Empire’s prosperity advanced metallurgy, like rust free iron pillar and helped Chandragupta II support scholars, scientists, poets and artists.
THE QUEST FOR BEAUTY
- ‘Gupta art’ sets high standards of aesthetics and beauty that left a lasting impact.
- Creativity and craftsmanship were encouraged, as seen in the sculptures of the Buddha, the paintings of the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, and the rock-cut caves and detailed carvings of deities at Udayagiri in Madhya Pradesh.
THE DECLINE OF THE GUPTAS
• By the 6th century CE, the Gupta Empire declined due to repeated attacks by the Hunas and rising internal conflicts with regional rulers.
MEANWHILE IN THE SOUTH AND NORTHEAST
- The Pallavas ruled the South (Present day state of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) and encouraged art and architecture.
- Kanchipuram (in Tamil Nadu), the capital of the Pallavas, was known as the ‘City of a Thousand Temples’.
- During the reign of Satavhanas, ghatikas were the major centres of learning which created an environment for education and intellectual growth.
- In northeastern region, present-day Assam, West Bengal and Bangladesh, the Kamarupa kingdom was ruled by the Varman dynasty.
- Pragjyotisha is the ancient name of the Brahmaputra valley in Assam, which is mentioned in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
- Samudragupta defeated a Pallava ruler and the ruler of Kamarupa but did not take their territory.
- The legacy of Gupta dynasty rulers is still alive in India’s culture and traditions.