Question

Explain the sources of history of the gupta period

Answer 1

Literary Sources: Of all the literary sources, the Puranas occupy an important place. ... These Puranas were compiled and brought out in written form during this age. Based on the Puranic evidence it is believed that the founder of the Gupta lineage ruled over Prayaga, Saketa and Magadha.

Answer 2

All we know about History comes from the sources that were either created or written during the contemporary time or some years after it. Sources of Gupta Period can be divided in five types.

Literary sources-

Puranas- Some Puranas are historic as well as religious. The Puranas that mention Guptas are.

(i) Vayu Purana,

(ii)Brahmanda Purana,

(iii) Matsya Purana,

(iv) Bhagvata Saketa.

2. Dharamsasastras of Narad and Brihaspati

3. Smriti of Vyas, Harita, Pitamah and Pulastya.

4. Kamandaka Nitisara written by Sikhara, Prime Minister of CHandragupta II.

5. Kavya-Nataka Literature-

Setubandhakavya/ Setukavya by Pravarsena.

Kaumudi Mahotsav by Kisorika or Vijjika.

Devichandraguptam by Vishakhadatta. (Full text not available, mentioned in many works)

Mudarakshas by Vishakhadatta.

Travel account of Fa-Hein.

Inscriptions-

Udayagiri Cave Inscriptions

Mathura stone Inscriptions

Sanchi Stone Inscriptions

Gadhwa Stone Inscriptions

Bilsad Stone Pillar Inscription

Mankuwar Stone Image Inscription

Bilhar stone Pillar Inscription

Bhitari stone Pillar Inscription

Junagadh Rock Inscription

kahaum Stone Pillar Inscription

Indore Copper plate Inscription

Seals-

Seal of Dhruvaswamini, queen of Chandragupta II.

Seal of other officials.

Monument-

Vishnu temple at Tigawa

Siva Temple at BHumara

Parvati Temple at Nachna-Kuthara

Buddhist shrines at Sanchi and Bodhgaya

Dasvatara Temple at Deogarh, etc.

Coins- Every ruler mint there own coins and so it is with their own preferences. Some of them style themselves on these coins but most of them are different types. For example, Tiger type, Lyrist type, Asvamedha type, Archer type, Chhatra type, Lion-slayer type,etc.

Guptas have left many resources yet still there is much obscurity around them There are many sources taht are to be translated and many to be found.