Gupta Period: Udranga Explained
The Gupta period (roughly 320 to 550 CE) was a significant time in ancient Indian history, known for its advancements in arts, sciences, and administration. The empire's revenue system was crucial for its functioning. The term Udranga, prevalent during this era, specifically referred to a type of land tax.
This tax was a fundamental part of the state's income, derived from the agricultural produce or land ownership. It represented a regular and assessed levy on land, forming a significant portion of the economic resources managed by the Gupta rulers.
Understanding Revenue Terms in the Gupta Era
The Gupta administration employed various terms to categorize taxes and revenues. Understanding these terms helps in comprehending the economic structure of the period:
- Udranga was the primary or fixed land tax.
- Sometimes, an additional tax known as Uparika was collected, which might have been an occasional or supplementary levy related to land.
- Other forms of revenue existed, collected from trade, forests, mines, and judicial fines, but Udranga was distinctly associated with land.
Analyzing the Given Options
Let's examine the provided options to confirm the meaning of Udranga:
- tax on trade goods: This type of tax was known by different names, such as 'shulka', and was related to commerce, not directly to land.
- toll tax on rivers: Tolls were collected for the use of ferries or river routes, a different category of revenue.
- land tax: This aligns perfectly with the historical understanding of the term Udranga as a regular assessment on land.
- royal donation to temples: These were generally grants or endowments made by the royalty or wealthy patrons to religious institutions, distinct from mandatory taxes.
Based on historical evidence and administrative terminology from the Gupta period, Udranga is understood to be a form of land tax.
Important Questions from Gupta Age
From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?
1. The Guptas of Magadha
2. The Paramaras Malwa
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
5. The Yaduvas of Devagiri
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Identify the person from the following description :
a. Founder of a great empire.
b. Cultured, scholar and a poet.
c. The famous poet Harisena was his court poet and Buddhist scholar Vasubandhu was in his court.
d. Vincent Smith praises him as the 'Indian Napoleon'.
The campaigns of which of the following Gupta ruler are described in the ‘Prayagprasasti’ ?
Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
Assertion (A): The Gupta period saw the ascendency of Hinduism, especially Bhagavatism or vaishnavism
Reason (R): Fahsien given the impression that Buddhism was flourishing during this period. It may be said first that four Buddha images were added at the four entrances of the great stupa of Sanchi. Nalanda also became a centre of Buddhist education during this period.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
The Gupta empire had a very elaborate administrative system at the village level. Which of the bodies below are mentioned in the inscription of that period.
(A) Ghatika
(B) Pancha-mandli
(C) Ashtakula-adhikarana
(D) Sabhamandala
(E) Tri-mandli
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
