New Empires and Kingdoms: Class 6 History Chapter 10

Prashastis and What They Tell Us

Imagine a king wanting everyone to know how great and powerful he is. How would he do it? One popular way during this period was through prashastis. A prashasti (a Sanskrit word meaning 'in praise of') is a special kind of inscription, usually a long poem, composed by a court poet to glorify the king. They were often engraved on pillars or stone tablets for everyone to see.

A famous example is the prashasti for the Gupta ruler Samudragupta. It was composed by his court poet, Harishena, and inscribed on the Ashokan pillar at Allahabad (Prayag). This prashasti doesn't just praise the king; it gives us valuable historical information. It lists his ancestors, describes him as a warrior who won victories in battle, and even tells us about his policies towards other rulers. It's like a king's official biography, written to showcase his achievements and virtues. By studying prashastis, historians can piece together the history of dynasties, their territories, and their relationships with neighboring kingdoms.

Key Rulers of the Gupta Dynasty

Chandragupta I (c. 319-335 CE)

The first major ruler of the Gupta dynasty. He took the grand title of Maharaj-adhiraja ('great king of kings') and expanded his kingdom through marriage and conquest.

Samudragupta (c. 335-380 CE)

Son of Chandragupta I, he is known for his vast military conquests detailed in the Prayag Prashasti. He was a great warrior, a poet, and a musician, often called the 'Napoleon of India' by historians.

Chandragupta II (c. 380-415 CE)

Samudragupta's son, also known as Vikramaditya. He further expanded the empire to its peak, conquering western India. His court was famous for its learned men, including the poet Kalidasa.

How the Kingdoms were Administered

1. The King as the Center — The king was the most powerful person, but unlike the Mauryas, Gupta kings often allowed defeated rulers to continue ruling their lands as long as they paid tribute and attended the king's court. These subordinate rulers were known as 'samantas'.
2. Hereditary Offices — Important administrative posts, like that of a minister or army general, often became hereditary. This meant a son would succeed his father in the same position. For example, the poet Harishena was a 'maha-danda-nayaka' (chief judicial officer), just like his father.
3. Multiple Roles — A single person could hold multiple important offices. Harishena, for instance, was not only the chief judicial officer but also a minister of war and peace ('sandhi-vigrahika').
4. Local Administration and Assemblies — At the local level, important men had a say in administration. In cities, there were councils which included the chief banker, leader of the merchant caravans, and chief craftsman. In southern kingdoms like the Pallavas', local assemblies like the 'sabha' (of brahmin land owners) and the 'ur' (a village assembly) were very important.

Exam Tips: Prashastis and Genealogies

When answering questions about the Gupta period, remember to always mention the source of information. For Samudragupta, the key source is the Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription) by Harishena. Many questions will test you on this specific detail. Also, be clear about the genealogies (family lines). Prashastis usually mention the king's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. For Samudragupta, this would be Chandragupta I (father), Ghatotkacha (grandfather), and Sri Gupta (great-grandfather). Knowing this order is crucial for scoring full marks.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What is a 'prashasti'? Who composed the famous prashasti for Samudragupta? A: Step 1: Define 'prashasti'. A prashasti is a Sanskrit word that means 'in praise of'. It is a special inscription, often a poem, composed by a court poet to praise and glorify a king. Step 2: Identify the composer for Samudragupta's prashasti. The prashasti for the Gupta emperor Samudragupta was composed by his court poet, Harishena. Final answer: A 'prashasti' is a special poem or inscription written in praise of a king. The famous prashasti for Samudragupta was composed by his court poet, Harishena, and is found on the Allahabad Pillar.
• Q: Who were 'samantas'? What was their role in the kingdom? A: Step 1: Define 'samantas'. 'Samantas' were local or defeated rulers who were allowed to keep their kingdoms by the main emperor. Step 2: Describe their duties and relationship with the emperor. In return for being allowed to rule, samantas had to pay tribute (gifts or money), attend the emperor's court, and provide military support when needed. They were subordinate rulers who acknowledged the emperor's authority. Final answer: 'Samantas' were subordinate rulers who accepted the authority of a more powerful emperor. They were expected to pay tribute, attend the emperor's court, and provide him with troops for battles.
• Q: Name three types of local assemblies mentioned in the chapter, especially in the southern kingdoms. A: Step 1: Recall the assemblies mentioned in the inscriptions of the Pallavas. The chapter discusses several types of local bodies that helped in administration. Step 2: List and briefly describe each. The three main assemblies are: 1. The Sabha: An assembly of brahmin landowners which looked after irrigation, roads, and temples. 2. The Ur: A village assembly found in areas where the landowners were not brahmins. 3. The Nagaram: An organisation of merchants. Final answer: Three types of local assemblies in the southern kingdoms were the Sabha (an assembly of brahmin landowners), the Ur (a general village assembly), and the Nagaram (an organisation of merchants).
• Q: What information does the Prayag Prashasti give about Samudragupta's policies towards rulers of the south? A: Step 1: Recall the different policies of Samudragupta mentioned in his prashasti. The prashasti lists four different kinds of rulers and Samudragupta's policies towards them. Step 2: Focus on the policy for the southern rulers. For the twelve rulers of 'Dakshinapatha' (the southern route), Harishena wrote that Samudragupta first defeated them. Step 3: Explain the second part of the policy. After defeating them, he allowed them to rule again. This showed his power but also gained their loyalty. Final answer: The Prayag Prashasti states that there were twelve rulers in the south (Dakshinapatha). Samudragupta's policy was to defeat them in battle and then graciously allow them to continue ruling their kingdoms, establishing his supremacy over them.

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