1 of 11

CHAPTER 11�

​

NEW EMPIRES AND KINGDOMS

​

Teacher Name :- Sushma Devi

TGT S.SC JNV Kathua (J&K)

2 of 11

� New Empire and Kingdom �Period-I �Prashastis

  • Special kind os inscriptions were found during this time period, known as prashastis.Prashasti is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘in praise of’. Prashastis were composed for some rulers of ancient India.Inscrptions, coins,biographies and account of foreign travllers are the sources of new empires and kingdoms.

​

  • The Inscriptions coins biographies are the sources to know the Gupta empire.

3 of 11

Allahabad Prashasti by poet Harishena

4 of 11

Gupta Empire Golden age of India / Genealogy (App. 319 to 467 CE)

  • Founder of Gupta dynasty was Srigupta, He adopted the title of Maharaja.
  • Capital of this empire was Patliputra.
  • First powerful ruler was Chandragupta-I, who adopted the title of Maharaja adhiraja.
  • Samudragupta was most powerful ruler and also known as Indian Napoleon.
  • Last powerful ruler was Chandragupta-II. His court was full of learned people including Kalidasa the poet who had written his most famous play Abhignana, Shakuntalam and Aryabhata the astronomer who had invented a zero.
  • He led an expedition to western India and defeated last ruler of shakas.

5 of 11

Policies of Samudragupta

  • The rulers of Aryavarta, nine rulers who were uprooted, and their kingdoms were made a part of Samudragupta’s empire.
  • The rulers of Dakshinapatha. there were twelve rulers, They surrendered to Samudragupta after being defeated and he then allowed them to rule again.
  • The inner circle of neighbouring states, including Assam, coastal Bengal, Nepal, and a number of gana sanghas, They brought tribute, followed his orders, and attended his court.
  • The rulers of the outlying areas, the descendants of the Kushanas and Shakas, and the ruler of Sri Lanka, who submitted to him and offered daughters in marriage.

​

6 of 11

Samudragupta playing veena

7 of 11

Area under Samudragupta’s empire

8 of 11

Administration of the Gupta Empire

  • Land revenue was the main source of income.
  • Maha-danda-nayaka was chief judicial officer, sandhi-vigrahika was minister of war and peace.
  • One person held many posts
  • Some posts were made hereditary.
  • The Poit Harishena was a Maha’Danda’Nayaka or chief Judicial officer like his father.

​

9 of 11

Important terms used in the administration

  • Maha-danda-nayaka Chief Judicial officer
  • Kumar Amatya Important officer
  • Sandhi –vigrahika Minister of war and peace
  • Nagara sheshthi Chief banker or merchant
  • Prathama-kulika Chief craftsman
  • Kayasthas Scribes.

10 of 11

Questions

  • Answer the Following in 80 to 120 Words :-
  • Describe the policies adopted by Samudragupta?
  • Define the meaning of Prashastis? Write about Allahbad Prashasti.
  • Answer the following in 60 to 80 words :-
  • Which ruler is known as Indian Napoleon and why?
  • Which are the main sources to know the Gupta empire?
  • Short answer type questions :-
  • Who was the founder of Gupta empire?
  • Which ruler of this dynasty was famous for expedition to western India?
  • Locate the following on the outline of Indian Political map

1. Patliputr 2. Ujjain 3. Prayaga 4. Mathura

​

11 of 11

THANK YOU