Gupta Period – Socio-Cultural Life

Gupta period Society discussed by Harsh

Guptas were an important power in north India in the time period of c. 300 AD to c. 600 AD but it was not a pan-India empire as there were some powerful and independent empires in other parts of India. For example, Vakatakas were the major power in Deccan India. Apart from Vakatakas, there were some other empires in Peninsular India. During this time new social and philosophical and religious elements were evolved in India.

Also Read: Gupta Period – Military Campaigns, Rama Gupta and War with Hunas

Vakatakas and Other Dynasties of Peninsular India (c. 300 AD – c. 600 AD)

Gupta Age – Nature and Character of Administration

Economic Life of Mauryan Age

Socio-Cultural Life of Peoples During Gupta Period

The socio-cultural life of this age was characterized by elements of continuity and changes. While some of essential institutions and practices were continued from the previous ages, but at the same time new elements started to emerged in the society. The Varnashrama system was still followed by the peoples but it was merely a theoretic concept because nobody was following this system rigidly.

As per this system, Brahmans were supposed to be indulged in work of learning and religion but contemporary evidences suggested that they were also indulged in the activities of trade and commerce. Charudatta, the lover of Mrichhakatikam was a Brahman but he was also a well-known trader of Gupta age. According to Dharmashastra, trade and commerce was an Aapdharma (emergency vocation for Brahmans).

According to Brihaspati Smriti, trade and commerce was a normal profession for Shudras. According to Mrichhakatikam, there were Shudra officials in Ujjain. Kayathas emerged as a new social / caste group whose emergence was an outcome of practice of land grants as they used to work for keeping land record. New forms of social differentiation were emerged on the basis of size of houses.

According to Brihaspati Smriti of Varahmihir, the house of Brahman was to have five rooms, for Kshatriyas four rooms, for Vaishyas 3 rooms and Shudras to have only two rooms in their houses. The status Shudras was improved significantly as they were indulged in agricultural, art and culture, and trade and commerce as well. Same references founded in Brihaspati Smriti.

Shudras were employed under the state as well and they were allowed to hear the epics and Puranas. The institution of marriage was same as before but new elements added to it. According to Brihaspati Smriti, widow remarriage was not allowed but Narada Smriti allows widow remarriage. Child marriage was absent but the normal age of girls was 12-13 years. The status of women was quite good but many of negative practices associated with women were commenced during Gupta period.

According to Brihaspati, Upananya ceremony (initiation ceremony) was not allowed for women. Devadasi system was commenced during this age. According to Kalidasa, a large number of Devadasis were maintained in the Mahakal temple of Ujjain for the entertainment of temple deity with music and dance. The practice of veiling also started during this age as the women form high status families used to cover their faces while going in public.

Practice of Sati was also prevalent in the society as evidences founded from Eran inscription of c. 510 AD and these were the first written evidence of Sati. The women enjoyed right to Stridhana as well as share in the movable property of father. Narada allows only the right of Stridhana to women. But Katyayana allowed women to have share in both movable and immovable property of father.

Slavery was also prevalent in the society as Narada Smriti mentioned 15 types of slavery. Untouchability was also prevalent. In fact, this practice had expanded when compared to previous period. Untouchables were classified in two categories; Niruasita (excluded) and Aniruasita (non-excluded). Niruasitas were involved in unclean professions such as lifting of dead animals and cleaning of drainage. They used to live outside the village or town.

Fa-Hien wrote that Chandalas used to live on the outskirts of city. They used to make sound by hitting a log of wood on ground to warn others to get aside to avoid pollution. Nalanda university was founded by king Kumara Gupta. It was a world-famous centre of Buddhist learning. Taxila was sill flourishing. Banaras was emerged as a famous centre of medical science.

Sushruta was a famous teacher at Banaras and he also wrote Sushruta Samhita. The institution of Guilds was still an important institution. In education system, the Gurukuls and Guru-Shishya system still followed.

Thus, the Gupta period saw various changes in socio-cultural elements while some were continued from earlier ages and many of new negative and positive elements added during Gupta age.