Home > Indian History > History of India > Economic Life during Gupta Empire
Economic Life during Gupta Empire
Economic life during Gupta Empire was prosperous. India made great progress in the economic sphere during the Gupta age.

Share this Article:

Economic Life during Gupta EmpireThe Guptas had ruled north India for about 200 years. Political unity, economic prosperity and extraordinary progress in every aspect of life under the Guptas were prevalent. The Gupta period had witnessed great prosperity, owing to the flourishing trade, agriculture and industry. Prosperity due to Roman trade, which began in the Kushana period, continued till the early reign of the Guptas. The Saka Satraps of western India continued trade with the west after the fall of the Kushans. Chandragupta II had conquered Malwa and Saurashtra, by overthrowing the Saka rulers had established direct link of the Guptas in India with Roman trade.

Trade and Commerce during Gupta Empire
The peace and prosperity prevailing in the age gave a great impetus to inter-provincial and inter-state trade. To cover them federations of guilds were also organised as evident from the seals found at Basarh, the ancient Vaishali. These guilds sometimes did manage the finances of temples and offered monetary help to the government. Partnership transactions were common. Some of these guilds had their own militia to protect the person, property and merchandise of their members. Varieties of cloth, food-grains, spices, salt, bullion and precious stones were the main articles of trade. The trade was both by land and by river. Principal towns like Ujjain, Prayaga, Banaras, Gaya, Pataliputra and others were connected by roads. Goods were transported by carts and by pack-animals. River Ganga, the Brahmaputra River, the Narmada River, the Godavari River, the Krishna River and the Kaveri River were of great help for smooth trade. Ships were built. Tamralipti the modern Tamlik was a major port of Bengal and carried on an extensive trade with China, Ceylon, Java and Sumatra. The southern ports carried on extensive trade with the Eastern Archipelago, China and Western Asia. The items that were mainly exported were pearls, precious stones, clothes, perfumes, spices, indigo, drugs, coconuts and ivory articles. The main items of imports were gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, silk, camphor, dates and horses. The main items of natural wealth were rice, wheat, sugarcane, jute, oilseeds, cotton, jowar, bajra, spices, betel nuts and medicinal drugs, products of forests and mines of precious stones. Textile industry was the major industry. Then other crafts and industries like sculpture, inlaying, ivory work, painting and ship-building sprang up. Living was thus very cheap in the Gupta period. The Gupta government had laid down various laws and regulations for smooth flow of trade, which also had influenced the economic life of the Guptas. The Smritis or law books had laid down the principle that it was royal duty to encourage trade and arts. the Guptas had also laid down various regulations on trade. It was said that imported commodities should be taxed at the rate of 1/5th of the value as a toll.

Agriculture during Gupta Empire
Agriculture was not at all neglected during the Gupta period in spite of the spread of trade. Agriculture held a significant place in the economic life of the people during the Gupta period. Agriculture was the main occupation of the masses during that time. There was no modern zamindari system like that practiced in Bengal or Uttar Pradesh. The tenants of a landlord not tilling the lands received 33 to 50 percent of the gross produce as their share. Land was regarded as a very valuable piece of property and it could be transferred only with the consent of the fellow-villagers or with the permission of the village or town council. Paddy, wheat, fruits, sugarcane, bamboo was cultivated in the cultivable lands. Land revenue was collected from various categories of land. State also owned fields of cultivable land in various villages which was known as Rajayavastu. The state would take over a land if there is no eligible heir or if the land tax was not paid. The land actually remained as a hereditary to the family of the grantee, though the king had direct control over that land

The economic prosperity reacted in Indian culture and gave the people time and leisure to cultivate the finer arts of life. The Gupta kings also took special care of irrigation purposes for the promotion of agricultural economy in the Gupta kingdom. Thus during the Gupta period, trade and agriculture both had achieved a thriving prosperity, which promoted economic life of the people, thereby attaining material prosperity.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.