Question

Give the reasons for declining of Gupta Empire.

Answer 1

Explanation:

The Huna People, also known as Huns, invaded Gupta territory and caused significant damage to the empire. The Gupta Empire ended in 550 CE, when it disintegrated into regional kingdoms after a series of weak rulers and invasions from the east, west, and north.

Answer 2

Decline of the Gupta Empire :-

• The Gupta decline started during the reign of Skandagupta, the grandson of Chandragupta II. He was successful in retaliating against the Huns and the Pushyamitras, but his empire was drained of finances and resources because of this.

• The last recognised king of the Gupta line was Vishnugupta who reigned from 540 to 550 AD.

• internal fighting and dissensions among the royal family led to its weakening.

• During the reign of a Gupta king, Budhagupta, the Vakata ruler Narendrasena of western Deccan attacked Malwa, Mekala and kosala. Later on, another Vakataka king Harishena conquered Malwa and Gujarat from the Guptas.

• During Skandagupta's reign, the Huns invaded northwest India but were restricted. But in sixth century, they occupied Malwa, Gujarat, Punjab and Gandhara. The Hun invasion weakened the Gupta hold in the country.

• Independent rulers emerged all over the north like Yashodharman of Malwa, the Maukharis of U.P., the Maitrakas in Saurashtra, and others in Bengal. The Gupta Empire was restricted to Magadha only.

• The later Gupta's following of Buddhism rather than Hinduism unlike their ancestors also weakened the empire. They did not focus on empire-building and military conquests.

• So weak rulers along with incessant invasions from foreign as well as native rulers caused the decline of the Gupta Empire.

• By the beginning of the sixth century,the empire had disintegrated and was ruled by many regional chieftains.