New Empires and Kingdoms - Long Answer Questions
A Sanskrit word meaning 'in praise of'. These are long inscriptions composed by poets in praise of kings. Example: The Allahabad Pillar inscription praising Samudragupta.
A famous ruler of the Gupta dynasty. His court poet Harishena wrote about his conquests. He was described as a warrior, a poet, and equal to the gods.
1. Aryavarta (North): 9 rulers uprooted, kingdoms made part of empire. 2. Dakshinapatha (South): 12 rulers surrendered and were allowed to rule again. 3. Inner Circle (Assam, Nepal): Paid tribute. 4. Outlying areas (Kushanas/Shakas): Offered daughters in marriage.
Chandragupta II, son of Samudragupta. He conquered the Shakas in the west. His court was full of learned people like Kalidasa and Aryabhata.
He ruled nearly 1400 years ago. His biography 'Harshacharita' was written by his court poet Banabhatta in Sanskrit. Xuan Zang also visited his court.
He ruled from Thanesar but later took over Kannauj. He tried to cross the Narmada to march into the Deccan but was stopped by Pulakeshin II (Chalukya).
Resulting in Kanchipuram. Their kingdom spread from Kanchipuram to the Kaveri delta.
Centred around the Raichur Doab (between rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra). Their capital was Aihole (a trading and religious centre).
The most famous Chalukya ruler. His prashasti was written by Ravikirti. It tells how he checked Harsha (Harsha means happiness, but the poet says 'Harsha was no longer Harsha').
Kings adopted steps to win support of powerful men. Posts became hereditary (Harishena was a Maha-danda-nayaka like his father). One person held many offices. Local administration had assemblies.
Chief banker or merchant of the city.
Leader of the merchant caravans.
Chief craftsman.
Sabha (Assembly of Brahmin landowners), Ur (Village assembly of non-brahmins), Nagaram (Organization of merchants).
A great poet and playwright. Famous for 'Abhijnana Shakuntalam', the story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala.
Kings and Brahmins speak Sanskrit, while women and men other than the king speak Prakrit.
He noticed the plight of the untouchables. They had to live outside the city and strike a piece of wood when entering so people could avoid touching them.
The king had a well-organized army (elephants, chariots, cavalry, foot soldiers). There were also military leaders (Samantas) who provided troops when needed. They were not paid salaries but given land grants.
They eventually gave way to new rulers belonging to the Rashtrakuta and Chola dynasties.
Lists of ancestors. Samudragupta's great grandfather and grandfather were 'Maharajas', his father was 'Maharajadhiraja'.
New Empires and Kingdoms - Important Facts
Gupta dynasty rose to power about 1700 years ago.
Samudragupta played the Veena.
Allahabad Pillar inscription is a Prashasti.
Harishena was the court poet of Samudragupta.
Chandragupta I was the first 'Maharajadhiraja' of Guptas.
Samudragupta's mother was Kumara Devi (Lichchhavi gana).
Dakshinapatha rulers surrendered to Samudragupta.
Vikram Samvat era (58 BC) is associated with Chandragupta II.
Harshavardhana ruled 1400 years ago.
Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita.
Xuan Zang spent time at Harsha's court.
Harsha stopped by Pulakeshin II at Narmada.
Pallava capital: Kanchipuram.
Chalukya capital: Aihole.
Aihole has many temples.
Ravikirti was Pulakeshin II's court poet.
Samantas were military leaders.
Samantas collected revenue from land grants.
Sabha functioned through sub-committees.
Ur was a village assembly.
Nagaram was a merchant assembly.
Kalidasa wrote Abhijnana Shakuntalam.
The play features a fisherman finding a ring.
The ring was royal and found in a fish.
Chinese pilgrims documented the life of commoners.
Bedouins are Arab pastoral tribes.
Islam was introduced by Prophet Muhammad 1400 years ago.
Arabs conquered Sind 1300 years ago.
Administration was becoming decentralized.
Important men influenced local administration.
Sarthavaha led caravans.
Kayasthas were scribes.
Kings maintained grand armies.
Villagers had to feed the army on the move.
The army left a trail of destruction (dust/elephants).
Banabhatta describes the army march.
Harsha was not the eldest son but became king.
Harsha's brother-in-law ruled Kannauj.
Harsha took over Kannauj after his brother-in-law died.
Harsha was a Buddhist.
Nalanda university flourished under Harsha.
Pulakeshin II raided Pallava territory.
Pallava king took shelter behind Kanchipuram walls.
Assemblies were controlled by rich merchants/landowners.
Local assemblies continued for centuries.
Ordinary people's lives are known from plays/accounts.
Untouchability was practiced.
Fa Xian wrote about untouchables.
Samudragupta's coins show him playing Veena.
New Empires and Kingdoms - Important Dates
Gupta Dynasty / Samudragupta
Harshavardhana
Xuan Zang in India