GUPTA EMPIRE

GUPTA EMPIRE

It was stretched across Nothers, Central and parts of Southern India from early 4th CE till 6th CE. The period witnessed a culminantion of earlier style and the beginning of new style and technique in the field of art, architecture, sculpture etc.

The Gupta Empire (4th to 6th century CE) is known for significant advancements in the fields of art, architecture, and sculpture. Below are some of the key developments during this period:

1. Temple Architecture

• Use of Permanent Materials: For the first time, temples were built using permanent materials like brick and stone, instead of wood and bamboo.
• Structural Temples: The construction of structural temples, as opposed to cave temples, became prevalent for idol worship.
• Panchayatana Style Temple: This style of temple architecture evolved from flat-roofed temples to more complex designs with ambulatory paths.

• Texts on Walls: Temples often featured inscriptions or texts on walls as decorative and informative elements.
• Examples:

• Kankali Devi Temple in Tigawa
• Vishnu Varaha Temple in Eran
• Parvati Temple at Nachna Kuthara, Madhya Pradesh
• Dasavatara Temple in Deogarh, U.P.
• Durga Temple at Aihole, Karnataka

2. Cave Architecture and Paintings

• Painted Murals: The interiors of caves and temples were adorned with beautiful murals depicting human figures with a graceful flow.

• Example: The Ajanta Caves are renowned for their paintings, which became more secular in nature during the Gupta period.
  • Subjects: Jataka tales, episodes from the life of Gautama Buddha, and paintings of Bodhisattva Padmapani were commonly featured.
• Examples: The Ajanta, Badami, and Bagh caves are notable for their Gupta-era paintings.

3. Sculptures

• Metallurgy: The Gupta craftsmen were highly skilled in casting metal statues and constructing pillars.
  • Examples:

• Sultanganj Buddha Statue: A massive copper statue of Buddha, about 7.5 feet tall and weighing nearly a ton.
• Sarnath Buddha Statue: A unique Gupta creation.
• Delhi Iron Pillar: Known for its remarkable resistance to rust despite exposure to the elements for centuries.

4. Numismatic Art

• Gold Coins: The Gupta coinage is renowned for its artistic and monetary significance.

• Samudragupta issued eight types of gold coins, showcasing the prosperity and greatness of the empire.
• Chandragupta II and his successors also issued gold, silver, and copper coins in various designs.

• Depicted Beyond Emperors: Unlike previous dynasties, Gupta coins featured not only emperors but also gods and goddesses like Durga, Lakshmi, Ganga, Garuda, and Kartikeya. These coins also depicted rulers in relaxed, non-martial poses, such as playing instruments or involved in royal ceremonies.
• Socio-Political Events: Gupta coins reflected social and political events, such as royal marriages and the Ashvamedha sacrifice.
• Optimum Use of Space: Gupta coinage made effective use of both sides, showing detailed depictions of deities and mythological symbols.
• Post-Gupta Decline: After the Gupta period, the quality of coinage in India declined due to:

• Internal Feuds: Ongoing conflicts weakened treasuries.
• Demonetization: Frequent changes in rulership led to rapid demonetization, with simpler designs on coins.
• Rajput Era: Coin designs were limited to martial symbols like bulls and horsemen.
• South Indian Coins: Focused on dynastic crests (e.g., boar, bull, tiger, bow) with minimal religious or mythological motifs.
• Islamic Influence: Islamic rulers avoided idol imagery on coins, focusing instead on textual elements.
• Debasement in the Mughal Era: Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb debased coins, reducing their content and quality.
• British Period: Coins were monotonous, featuring only dates and rulers’ portraits.
• Post-Independence: Coins featured symbols like the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar and indigenous motifs.

1.  Literary Art

• The Sanskrit literature during the Gupta period flourished under the patronage of the Gupta rulers, leading to the rise of many scholars.

• Famous Scholars: Harisena, Kalidasa, Visakhadatta, and Sudraka contributed significantly to Indian literature.
• Works:
  • Panchatantra stories by Vishnu Sharma
  • The Puranas in their current form were compiled during this period.