Later Guptas

The Later Guptas represent a line of rulers who rose to prominence in Magadha (modern Bihar) during the 6th and 7th centuries CE, following the decline of the Imperial Guptas. Although they claimed descent from the earlier Gupta dynasty, the Later Guptas ruled over a much smaller territory and possessed limited political influence compared to their illustrious predecessors. Their period marks the transitional phase between the classical age of the Guptas and the early medieval period in northern India, characterised by regional fragmentation and the rise of new dynasties such as the Maukharis and the Pushyabhutis.

Background and Emergence

After the fall of the Imperial Gupta Empire in the late 5th century CE, owing to internal weakness and invasions by the Hun chief Toramana and his son Mihirakula, northern India entered a phase of political disunity. Several regional powers emerged in different parts of the subcontinent. In Magadha, a local family claiming Gupta descent established its rule, later known as the Later Guptas of Magadha.
Unlike the earlier Guptas, whose empire extended across much of northern and central India, the Later Guptas exercised authority primarily over Magadha and parts of northern Bengal. Their rule was contemporary with other rising dynasties such as the Maukharis of Kanauj, with whom they frequently clashed for control of the Ganga valley.

Principal Rulers and Political History

The history of the Later Guptas is reconstructed mainly from inscriptions and copper-plate grants, such as those found at Bhagalpur, Nalanda, and Damodarpur. The important rulers of the dynasty include:

• Krishnagupta (c. 510–540 CE) – Regarded as the founder of the Later Gupta dynasty. He probably established his authority in Magadha after the disintegration of Imperial Gupta power.
• Harshagupta (c. 540–560 CE) – Continued his father’s rule and maintained limited influence in the region.
• Jivitagupta I (c. 560–590 CE) – The most notable of the early rulers, known from inscriptions as a capable and powerful monarch. His Bhagalpur copper-plate grant describes him as a devout follower of Vishnu and an able warrior. He extended his control over parts of Bengal and northern Bihar.
• Kumaragupta III (c. 590–605 CE) – Faced continuous conflicts with the Maukharis, a powerful dynasty ruling from Kanauj.
• Madhavagupta (c. 605–630 CE) – Known from inscriptions as an able ruler and devotee of Vishnu. His daughter married Adityasena, the ruler of the contemporary Later Magadha line of kings.
• Jivitagupta II (c. 630–650 CE) – The last prominent ruler of the dynasty. His reign marked the final phase of the Later Gupta political power before they succumbed to the rising influence of the Gauda kings of Bengal and other regional forces.

By the mid-seventh century, the Later Guptas had lost their significance, and their territories were absorbed by expanding neighbours, particularly during the reign of Harshavardhana of Thanesar.

Administration and Political Structure

The Later Guptas inherited many administrative traditions from the earlier Gupta Empire. The king was the central figure of authority, aided by ministers, military commanders, and provincial governors. Their inscriptions mention royal titles such as Parameshvara and Maharajadhiraja, showing that they upheld imperial pretensions even with limited territorial control.
Revenue administration, judicial procedures, and land grants continued along the lines established under the Imperial Guptas. Land grants to Brahmanas, temples, and educational institutions were common, indicating both religious patronage and the continuation of the agrarian expansion process that had characterised the Gupta era.

Relations with Contemporary Powers

The Later Guptas were contemporaries of several important dynasties in northern India, and their history is defined largely by their relations and conflicts with these powers:

• The Maukharis – Based at Kanauj, the Maukharis were the principal rivals of the Later Guptas. The struggle for supremacy over the Ganga–Yamuna–Magadha region continued for several decades. Although Jivitagupta I initially achieved some success against them, the Maukharis ultimately emerged stronger.
• The Gaudas – The Gauda kings of Bengal, especially Shashanka, posed a major challenge to Later Gupta power. Shashanka’s expansion into Magadha weakened the Later Guptas decisively in the early 7th century.
• The Pushyabhutis – The Later Guptas also came into indirect contact with the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar. Harshavardhana’s campaigns in eastern India finally overshadowed the Later Guptas and brought their territories under his influence.

Economy and Society

The Later Guptas governed an agrarian economy typical of early medieval India. Agriculture was the main occupation, and inscriptions mention extensive grants of land, indicating the growing importance of landed intermediaries. Trade and urban centres had declined somewhat compared to the Imperial Gupta period, reflecting the general economic decentralisation of the time.
Religiously, the Later Guptas were staunch Vaishnavas, as evident from their epigraphic titles such as Paramabhagavata and Parama Vaishnava. However, they continued the tradition of religious tolerance, supporting Brahmanical, Buddhist, and Jain establishments alike. The region around Nalanda, a major centre of Buddhist learning, remained under royal protection during their rule.
Socially, the varna system remained prominent, with Brahmanas continuing to receive royal patronage through land endowments. The period also witnessed the steady ruralisation of society, as land grants created new settlements and extended agricultural frontiers.

Art, Culture, and Religion

Although the Later Guptas did not achieve the artistic brilliance of the Imperial Guptas, they sustained many of their cultural traditions. Sculpture, temple architecture, and religious art continued to flourish, particularly in Magadha and Bengal. Some surviving images and inscriptions indicate the persistence of classical Gupta artistic styles, though on a smaller scale.
Brahmanical Hinduism remained dominant, particularly Vaishnavism, while Buddhism also retained a strong presence, especially around Nalanda and Bodh Gaya. Sanskrit remained the language of royal inscriptions, maintaining the literary and cultural continuity of the Gupta age.

Decline and Legacy

The decline of the Later Guptas can be attributed to a combination of internal weakness, constant warfare, and the rise of more powerful regional kingdoms. The repeated conflicts with the Maukharis and the territorial ambitions of Shashanka of Gauda gradually eroded their power base. By the middle of the 7th century, the Later Guptas had been completely overshadowed by the expanding dominions of Harshavardhana.