Discuss the socio economic condition of india during the rule of imperial guptas
Answers
During the Gupta period society was divided into four castes –brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and sudra. Each one of these comprised a major caste or varna and had specific duties assigned to them. Fa-hien’s account about the plight of sudras proves the prevalence of caste system and caste prejudices in the Indian society during the Gupta period. The reference to the people of various castes in the epigraphs and literary works also point towards the existence of caste system during this period.
The brahmanas were primarily concerned with the study and teachings of Vedas and other scriptures as also the performance of sacrifices and other religious practices. The kshatriyas came next to brahmanas in status and position in the society. Khatriyas, being the ruling class, enjoyed a very high status in the society. The khsatriyas as well as the vaishyas enjoyed with the brahmanas the status of Dvijati or twice born. The Vaisyas because of their immense wealth were also shown due regard. Sudras formed the lower rank of the cast system. They were forced to serve the other three classes.
Besides the division of the society into four major castes, the contemporary inscriptions and literature bear ample testimony to the existence of sub castes. However, there were no rigid rules in respect of either inter-caste marriage or inter-dining of the professions.