• UGI USER
  • Nov 07, 2023
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Q. Describe the system of administration under imperial Guptas.

 

Introduction

  • Introduce with a brief on the Gupta period.

Body

  • Write about the administration under imperial Guptas.

Conclusion

  • Conclude with The Gupta administration persisted as a blueprint for the fundamental administrative framework.

Answer:

The Gupta Empire, renowned as one of the most illustrious periods in Indian history, boasted a well-structured and efficient administrative system. Their administration was marked by decentralization, efficient governance, and remarkable achievements in various spheres. The Gupta administrative setup primarily revolved around a systematic bureaucracy, land revenue system, and the king’s role in governing the vast empire.

Monarchy and the King’s Role

  • The Gupta Empire primarily functioned as a monarchy, with the rulers leading their own councils and holding titles such as maharajadhiraja, parama-bhattaraka, and parameshvara.
  • The king was closely associated with divine status, as evidenced by various epithets, indicating the monarch’s attempt to claim divine authority.

Administrative Divisions

  • The empire was divided into provinces known as ‘bhuktis,’ which were further categorized into ‘Vishayas.‘ Each ‘bhukti’ was governed by an ‘uparika,’ directly appointed by the king, while ‘Vishayapatis’ supervised the ‘Vishayas.’

Local Governance

  • Village administration was under the charge of the village headman. Unlike the Mauryan era, the Gupta period’s administration seemed to operate more from the grassroots level.

Councils and Ministerial Roles

  • The administrative structure involved councils like the Mantri Parishad and various high-ranking officials, including the kumaramatyas, sandhivigrahikas, dandanayakas, and mahadandanayakas, assisting the king.
  • The Sabha, a ministerial assembly, is referenced in inscriptions, emphasizing the administrative and advisory role of these councils.

Division and Governance

  • The provinces were governed by uparikas who, in turn, appointed district administrations and boards, illustrating a tiered structure of power and governance.
  • The vishyapatis were responsible for the districts and were either appointed by the provincial governors or directly by the king.

Administrative Units and Officers

  • Administrative units such as vithi, bhumi, pathaka, and peta operated below the district level, and officials like ayuktakas, gramikas, and gramadhyakshas handled the administration.
  • These local administrative units were managed by a board of eight members and were led by the mahattara, representing village elders or community leaders.

Military and Administrative (Top Layer)

  • The military and administrative top layer included officials such as baladhikrita, ranabhandagar-adhikarana, and senapatis, responsible for the army, district-level policing, and infantry and cavalry commanders, respectively.
  • Various roles like mahapratiara, khadyatapakita, and spies known as dutakas were part of the espionage system and palace administration.

The Gupta monarchs were required to answer to Brahman donees who wielded complete administrative control over the villages they were bestowed. Even though the Gupta kings held significant power, the prevalent institutional mechanisms favoring decentralization greatly outweighed their authority during this era. The Gupta administration persisted as a blueprint for the fundamental administrative framework, both in principle and execution, across the early medieval period.