Chapter 9: New Empires and Kingdoms

Following the downfall of the Mauryas, the Gupta dynasty emerged, marking the Gupta Age. After the Gupta dynasty’s decline, numerous small kingdoms arose, including the Vardhana dynasty in Thaneshwara, with Harshavardhana as its greatest ruler. In South India, the decline of the Satavahanas paved the way for the rise of the Chalukyas and Pallavas, known for their well-administered kingdoms and frequent assemblies. Chapter 10 of the Class 6 History textbook provides an in-depth look at these new empires and kingdoms.

Prashastis and What They Tell Us

Samudragupta’s Prashasti

The famous ruler Samudragupta of the Gupta dynasty is known through a long inscription on the Ashokan pillar at Allahabad, composed by his court poet Harishena. This inscription, known as a prashasti, praises Samudragupta as a warrior, learned king, and poet, even equating him to the gods. It describes four kinds of rulers and Samudragupta’s policies towards them:

• Rulers of Aryavarta: Nine rulers were uprooted, and their kingdoms annexed.
• Rulers of Dakshinapatha: Twelve rulers surrendered and were allowed to rule again.
• Neighbouring States: States like Assam, coastal Bengal, and Nepal brought tribute and attended his court.
• Outlying Areas: Rulers, including descendants of the Kushanas and Shakas, and the ruler of Sri Lanka, submitted to him.

Genealogies

Samudragupta’s prashastis mentioned his ancestors, including his great grandfather, grandfather, father, and mother. His mother, Kumara Devi, belonged to the Lichchhavi gana, and his father, Chandragupta, was the first Gupta ruler to adopt the grand title of maharaj-adhiraja. Samudragupta’s son, Chandragupta II, continued his legacy, known for his expeditions and patronage of scholars like Kalidasa and Aryabhata.

Harshavardhana and the Harshacharita

Harshavardhana ruled nearly 1400 years ago, with his biography, Harshacharita, written by his court poet Banabhatta. Initially ruling Thanesar, Harsha became king after the deaths of his father and elder brother. He expanded his territory by taking over Kanauj and leading an army against the ruler of Bengal. He successfully conquered Magadha and Bengal but was stopped by the Chalukya ruler Pulakeshin II when he tried to invade the Deccan.

The Pallavas, Chalukyas, and Pulakeshin’s Prashasti

During this period, the Pallavas and Chalukyas were prominent in South India. The Pallavas ruled from Kanchipuram to the Kaveri delta, while the Chalukyas ruled the Raichur Doab. Aihole, the Chalukya capital, was an important religious and trading center. Pulakeshin II, the most notable Chalukya ruler, had his prashasti composed by his court poet Ravikirti, detailing his ancestors and his military expeditions, including his successful defense against Harsha.

Administration of Kingdoms

Land Revenue and Administration

Land revenue was crucial, with the village as the basic administrative unit. Kings sought support from powerful men by:

• Appointing hereditary administrative posts.
• Allowing individuals to hold multiple offices.
• Involving influential men in local administration.

A New Kind of Army

Kings maintained well-organized armies with elephants, chariots, cavalry, and foot soldiers. Military leaders, known as samantas, provided troops and maintained soldiers with land revenue instead of regular salaries.

Assemblies in Southern Kingdoms

The Pallavas’ inscriptions mention various local assemblies, such as the sabha for brahmin landowners, village assemblies for non-brahmin landowners, and the nagaram, an organization of merchants. These assemblies managed irrigation, agriculture, road construction, and local temples.

Ordinary People in the Kingdoms

Kalidasa, a renowned poet, depicted court life in his plays. His famous play, Abhijnana Shakuntalam, tells the love story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala. The use of Sanskrit by kings and brahmins and Prakrit by others highlights the linguistic diversity of the time.