Gupta Empire: Society's Caste System In Northern India

If the present day mom goes to the nearest grocery store, she might find that every price has a .99 behind it. When she goes home to make dinner, she’ll need to get 1.5 grams of salt for her grandma’s homemade lasagna recipe. But how does 1.5 mean one and a half? Between 320 and 550 CE, the decimal system that everyone worldwide uses today was invented during the Gupta Empire. In Northern India, everyday life was considerably different from then to now. Most citizens worshiped Hinduism which ultimately determined the civilization’s caste system. Artists and performers often experienced a more stable lifestyle than farmers. Wealthy families were able to afford entertainment and avoid heavy taxing. Life in the Gupta Empire was increasingly innovative

and easy going, influenced mostly by their religion, economy, and culture.

During the Gupta Empire, religion influenced many of the people’s daily lives.

The majority of citizens were Hindu leading to the coexisting of Buddhism during the time. In “Gupta Dynasty”, they state that “The characteristic features of Hinduism enabled it to survive whereas the features of Buddhism led to its final decline. The rulers of the Gupta dynasty were all Hindu which is one reason the Buddhists were driven out. They started to persecute the Buddhists which led them to run to the hills and built caves near Ajanta to live, hide, and worship”. In life, it is a natural behavior to feel that one group is better than another. This leads to ‘survival of the fittest’ in which the patronizing group drives the lesser one out, allowing the bigger group to thrive. Hinduism also controlled many aspects of life and choices for all citizens, even for those who were not Hindu. In “The Maurya and Gupta Empires”, Jennifer Hutchinson tells readers that “the class structure known as the caste system controlled many aspects of life, determining such matters as marriage partners, occupations, and diet. At the system's top were the Brahmins, the priestly class”. Although the religions of the Gupta Empire coexisted, Hinduism still defined the major systems of life. The priests of Hinduism held the highest status within the social

system.

The deities, figures of creation or supreme beings, of Hinduism were shaped by artists during the Gupta Empire. They depicted deities for minds that couldn’t understand their abstract form. In “Mind Over Matter” by Benoy Behl, he says that “The noble aim for the artist of the Gupta period was to create a human form that rose above itself”. Certain rulers or villagers of the Gupta time could have been in need at that time period, so artists needed to depict or create a ‘leader’. They could’ve influenced how and who the gods/deities were. For example, also in “Mind Over Matter”, Behl says that “The most magnificent representation at Udaigiri is of the Nar-Varaha avatara of Vishnu, with the body of a man and the head of a boar...this is also the depiction of the saving of mankind from the ocean of ignorance”. People of the Gupta Empire believe that their deities will save them from their ‘human nature’. They make this certain depiction the most magnificent maybe because what they wish for the most is to be freed from their wrongful nature that makes them inferior to their deities. These figures were heavily worshiped, and influenced the citizens in improving their lifestyle or knowledge to please them. In “History of the Gupta Empire”, Mamta Aggarwal takes into account that “The doctrine of bhakti and the growing importance of image worship led to the construction of the free standing temple with its sanctuary (garbha griha), in which the central cult image was placed”. During the Gupta Empire, architecture was mostly waved aside except in the case of religion and its temples. This shows the importance of religion within this civilization and how the people tried to please their deities. Often, Guptas were worshipping their deities in hope of happiness, luck, and wealth.

The economy of the Gupta Empire was relatively stable, but in some cases biased or unbalanced. For instance “Most people in Gupta India lived in small villages and worked as farmers. This large group paid high taxes to the king. Merchants and artisans occupied specially reserved districts in villages, towns, and cities” (Hutchinson). The Gupta Empire had a strict caste and social system. Those who farmed had to pay large taxes, whereas jobs that nowadays may seem unstable were rather profitable in this ancient civilization. Rural villagers, although they may not have had a high income, were the most taxed because the government knew they weren’t able to rebel or didn’t have enough power and resources to do so. Farmers were more dependable of variables of chance, like the weather. However “...economy in the Gupta period was largely based on self-sufficient units of production in villages and towns, and that money economy was gradu­ally becoming weaker at this time” (Aggarwal). People often made a living off of their self produced goods rather than in companies or groups. This may have meant that people were more reliant on themselves than others or the government. “Gupta Dynasty” says that the government gained money mainly through taxing and the government owned mines. They issued these metals as coins for their citizens as stated in “The Maurya and Gupta Empires” as she wrote that “Candra Gupta II issued several types of gold and silver coins...Gupta coins are considered among the finest examples of ancient India's coinage”. Candra Gupta II wanted to make a mark on the history of India, distributing detailed currencies to his citizens that would be long lasting, and help the citizens enjoy their lives and culture.

While Guptas were known for working and discovering new knowledge, their everyday social lives were not often changed by their working hours.

It is said that “Prosperous town dwellers seem to have lived in comfort and ease…Dance performances and music concerts were held mainly in the homes of the wealthy and the discerning” (Aggarwal). It was mostly wealthy Guptas were the most entertained because they could afford performances and music in their own home while others less fortunate could not. They might have more free time than farmers or self income villagers. It was believed than “An important value in this system was the belief that everyone had a duty to fulfill the social role they were born into”(Hutchinson). This was expected of Guptas which meant that your family would determine your entire future and you wouldn’t be able to make too many choices. Nevertheless, many citizens went down a creative or discovering life path, and left footprints in history when they revolutionized the ways we live

today.

Scientists of the Gupta Empire were constantly looking at new theories or ways of thinking. They founded the use of zero as a placeholder and the decimal system (Gupta Dynasty). Guptas discovered something that is fundamental in the present day. They had countless scientific breakthroughs. In spite of this, they still concentrated on other fields. Sanskrit is still considered a very modern language. During the Gupta time period, “Literature developed extensively; Sanskrit writing became a great beneficiary to the empire. The free expression and creativity in the writing was revolutionary.” (Gupta Dynasty). Guptas improved many aspects of life and knowledge. Sanskrit literature is another aspect they revolutionized and are remembered for.

The culture of the Gupta Empire changes how we live today by increasing our knowledge and opens our minds to greater theories. The government and economy set an example for the following empires and let villagers live relatively relaxing and easy going lives while using a long lasting currency that could be passed down through the ages. It was a time of majority and influence for Hindus and allowed them and their religion to prosper and dominate a large area. They started allowing artists think creatively and let in new ideas or ways of thinking. Social standings were determined before one was born, and choices were opportunities presented by the family status. Ultimately, our way of life could have been completely different if the Gupta Empire hadn’t existed.