After the decline of the Kushanas, north India witnessed the rise of the Gupta dynasty. The rulers of this dynasty were able to establish a vast empire that included almost the entire north India. They emerged as a great power and achieved the political unification of a large part of the Indian subcontinent. It featured a strong central government, bringing many kingdoms under its hegemony. Feudalism as an institution began to take root during this period. With an effective guild system and overseas trade, the Gupta economy boomed. Great works in Sanskrit were produced during this period and a high level of cultural maturity in fine arts, sculpture and architecture was achieved.

Sources

There are three types of sources for reconstructing the history of the Gupta period.

Mehrauli Iron Pillar

Literary sources

• Narada, Vishnu, Brihaspati and Katyayana smritis.
• Kamandaka’s Nitisara, a work on polity addressed to the king (400 CE)
• Devichandraguptam and Mudrarakshasam by Vishakadutta provide details about the rise of the Guptas.
• Buddhist and Jaina texts
• Works of Kalidasa
• Accounts of the Chinese traveller Fahien

Epigraphical Sources 

• Mehrauli Iron Pillar inscription – achievements of Chandragupta I. 
• Allahabad Pillar inscription  – describing Samudragupta’s personality and achievements in 33 lines composed by Harisena and engraved in Sanskrit and in Nagari script.  

Numismatic Sources 

• Coins issued by Gupta kings contain legends and figures. These gold coins tell us about the titles the Guptas assumed and the Vedic rituals they performed.