ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE GUPTAS:
a). Introduction:
The Gupta rulers not only carved Empire but also provided an efficient system of Administration which earned peace and prosperity to the people. The Gupta administration was not only imposing because of the vastness of its structure but also benevolent. Because it was not a crude autocracy wherein the king was the only and absolute Dictator it had constitutional checks in the form of Council of Ministers and the higher officials of the states....but more than these; the whole administration was often guided by judiciously interpreted freedom of constitutional uses surviving in the form of precedents which had almost received the sanction of unwritten law.
The Gupta rulers not only carved Empire but also provided an efficient system of Administration which earned peace and prosperity to the people. The Gupta administration was not only imposing because of the vastness of its structure but also benevolent. Because it was not a crude autocracy wherein the king was the only and absolute Dictator it had constitutional checks in the form of Council of Ministers and the higher officials of the states....but more than these; the whole administration was often guided by judiciously interpreted freedom of constitutional uses surviving in the form of precedents which had almost received the sanction of unwritten law.
b). Monarchy:- The monarchy was the prevailing form of Government during the Gupta period though certain republics also existed in Punjab and Rajputana. The kingship was generally hereditary and the king was generally succeeded by his eldest son. And other notable feature of monarchy during the Gupta period was that the theory of divine origin of the kings gained prominence. The assumption of title like Parmeshwar, paramdevta, Prithvi Pal, etc., further confirms that an element of divinity was attached to the king. Kings were bound by the religious customs, social conventions and consideration of public welfare. Kings generally behave with paternal of action towards their subjects and were always willing to sacrifice everything for the happiness of the people.
c). Council of Ministers:
There also exist Council of Ministers which performed advisory functions. This Council comprised of Princess, high officials and trusted persons of king. The council rendered advice to the king on all important matters. one of the important duty of the Council was to approve approve or disapprove a successor to throne. How the advice of the Council was not binding on the king usually he did not turn it down until there were valid reason for doing so.
There also exist Council of Ministers which performed advisory functions. This Council comprised of Princess, high officials and trusted persons of king. The council rendered advice to the king on all important matters. one of the important duty of the Council was to approve approve or disapprove a successor to throne. How the advice of the Council was not binding on the king usually he did not turn it down until there were valid reason for doing so.
d). Revenue administration:
The Gupta rulers paid great attention to the revenue administration. We learn from the various inscriptions that 18 different types of taxes were levied during the Gupta period. Land revenue was the most important source of state revenue the land revenue varied from one sixth to one fourth of the produce according to the fertility of the land. Terminal tax was another important source of state revenue. The Terminal taxes were charged when the things were taken to the city markets for sale. The peasants were also required to supply animals, food grains, furniture etc., For the maintenance of Royal officer on duty in the rural areas in certain parts of the Empire the Villaagers were also forced to render free liver called vishti.
The Gupta rulers paid great attention to the revenue administration. We learn from the various inscriptions that 18 different types of taxes were levied during the Gupta period. Land revenue was the most important source of state revenue the land revenue varied from one sixth to one fourth of the produce according to the fertility of the land. Terminal tax was another important source of state revenue. The Terminal taxes were charged when the things were taken to the city markets for sale. The peasants were also required to supply animals, food grains, furniture etc., For the maintenance of Royal officer on duty in the rural areas in certain parts of the Empire the Villaagers were also forced to render free liver called vishti.
d). Judicial Administration:
The judicial administration under the Guptas was far more developed than in early times. A number of law books were for the first time compiled during this period. And the Civil and criminal laws were clearly defined. King was the supreme judicial authority in the state and decide also the disputes. His decisions was final but the judicial administration of such a vast Empire could not be carried on by the king alone. He was therefore assisted by a number of judges in the discharge of his judicial duties. The punishment during the Gupta period was rather mild. Punishments like capital punishment and amputation of limbs were rarely awarded. However, some Scholars have expressed the view that punishments during the Gupta period was very severe. They refer to the Mudrarakshasa of Vaishakhadutta which gives the impression that atrocious punishments were awarded during the Gupta period. This included taking of the eyes.
The judicial administration under the Guptas was far more developed than in early times. A number of law books were for the first time compiled during this period. And the Civil and criminal laws were clearly defined. King was the supreme judicial authority in the state and decide also the disputes. His decisions was final but the judicial administration of such a vast Empire could not be carried on by the king alone. He was therefore assisted by a number of judges in the discharge of his judicial duties. The punishment during the Gupta period was rather mild. Punishments like capital punishment and amputation of limbs were rarely awarded. However, some Scholars have expressed the view that punishments during the Gupta period was very severe. They refer to the Mudrarakshasa of Vaishakhadutta which gives the impression that atrocious punishments were awarded during the Gupta period. This included taking of the eyes.
e). Provincial administration:
As the Gupta Empire was quite extensive and could not be conveniently administered from a single Centre. It was divided into several divisions known as bhuktis or provinces. Each Bhukti or province was under the charge of a Bhogpati or Uparika who were generally related to the royal family. the bhukti was appointed by the king and enjoyed considerable autonomy in the matter of administration of the province
District administration
The province or Bhukti was further subdivided into number of Visyas or districts. The visya was placed under the care of the visyapati or Uparika who was assessed by a number of other administrative officials. It may be observed that the organisation below the provincial level differed in south and north. In the south the province was divided into Mandalas which were further subdivided into Kohmas. However, both in North and South the village was the lowest unit of Administration. At the village level the Gramika was the most important official. He carried on the administration with the help of a body which correspondent with the modern Panchayat.
As the Gupta Empire was quite extensive and could not be conveniently administered from a single Centre. It was divided into several divisions known as bhuktis or provinces. Each Bhukti or province was under the charge of a Bhogpati or Uparika who were generally related to the royal family. the bhukti was appointed by the king and enjoyed considerable autonomy in the matter of administration of the province
District administration
The province or Bhukti was further subdivided into number of Visyas or districts. The visya was placed under the care of the visyapati or Uparika who was assessed by a number of other administrative officials. It may be observed that the organisation below the provincial level differed in south and north. In the south the province was divided into Mandalas which were further subdivided into Kohmas. However, both in North and South the village was the lowest unit of Administration. At the village level the Gramika was the most important official. He carried on the administration with the help of a body which correspondent with the modern Panchayat.
Military organisation:
Efficiency of the Gupta army is evident from the fact that the Gupta rulers never lost any war. However, the numerical strength of the Gupta army is not known. Obviously the king maintained a standing army which was supplemented by the force, supplied by the feudatories. The Gupta military consisted of elephants, cavalry as well as infantry. The Gupta rulers paid special attention to the appointment of officials like Senapati, Mahasenapati, Baladhikrita, Mahabaladhikrita,etc. They also attached great importance to discipline and equipment of the army. System of Administration established by the Guptas exercised profound influence on the administration of several other dynasties in the later years. This is evident from the fact that some of them adopted the titles of their officials from the Guptas. Several other dynasties also adopted titles of Gupta rulers. In the light of the above, we can say that Gupta administration left a deep impact on the administrative system of several dynasties in the later years.
Efficiency of the Gupta army is evident from the fact that the Gupta rulers never lost any war. However, the numerical strength of the Gupta army is not known. Obviously the king maintained a standing army which was supplemented by the force, supplied by the feudatories. The Gupta military consisted of elephants, cavalry as well as infantry. The Gupta rulers paid special attention to the appointment of officials like Senapati, Mahasenapati, Baladhikrita, Mahabaladhikrita,etc. They also attached great importance to discipline and equipment of the army. System of Administration established by the Guptas exercised profound influence on the administration of several other dynasties in the later years. This is evident from the fact that some of them adopted the titles of their officials from the Guptas. Several other dynasties also adopted titles of Gupta rulers. In the light of the above, we can say that Gupta administration left a deep impact on the administrative system of several dynasties in the later years.
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