ASSESSMENT OF THE GUPTA ECONOMY

           

AGRICULTURE

The Gupta Period was marked by advancement in agriculture. Forest land were cleared and brought under cultivation. Land was of three kinds, waste, crowland and privately owned. The waste land was generally donated in lieu of salary. The crowland was owned by the state that can also be donated. The last category of land was held by private owners. Land prices depended on the fertility of the land. There seems to be no change in the agricultural implements and the lines of agriculture operation in this period. Rice was the main crops cultivated. Irrigational facilities was improved. Water wheels were used for irrigation of lands.

INDUSTRY

Textile:

There was a great amount of industrial activity under the Gupta's. The textile industry was one of the important industry during the period. There was not only a vast domestic market for the textile but also a great demand for them outside India. All kinds of textile were made.

Metal:

Metal works was another important industry especially on Copper, Iron, Leadiron and bronze etc. The iron pillar near the Qutub Minar is considered a marked of the Gupta's metallurgic skill because till today, it has not corroded or rusted. Iron of high quality was also exported. The art of jewellery was well developed. Gold and Silver were mainly used for making jewels. Irony work was in a flourishing condition, sculpture, stone-cutting and curving also prospered during this period. Pearl fishery flourished in western India. Another important industry was pottery.

TRADE

Both inland and foreign trade were quite active during the Gupta period. Pack animals and ox-drawn carts were used for Transportation. The Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna and the Kaveri/Cauvery served as the chief water ways.

The conquest of western India by Chandragupta II brought the Gangtic provinces into direct communication with the western parts, especially those of Gujarat and through Gujarat with Alexandria and Europe. Land route through Persia continues to be used for purposes of trade. During this age, the Indian meritime trade in the eastern seas extended as far as China. The chief articles of export were spices, pepper, sandalwood, pearls, precious stones, perfumes, indigo and medicinal herbs. Th chief imports were silk from China, horses from Arabia, Iran. Ivory from Ethiopia. Earlier Indian coins were all influence by foreign model. But the Gupta coins become truly Indian, with Indian motifs, design and language. The Gupta coins served as model for the coins of many later dynasty of Indian rulers.

GUILDS

Guilds (society, trade union) continue to play a major role in the manufacture of goods as well as in commerce. They were practically independent in their internal organisation . They had their own laws which the government respected. Guilds had their own seals and military arrangements for protecting their merchant ties.

OTHERS

Along with the traditional domestic system, capitalistic method of production and distribution seems to be prevalent in the Gupta period. Hired labour was used for agriculture, rearing of animals, industry and domestic service. Lending money and collecting interest for the money lent were prevalent.


                 The economic condition of the Gupta empire was good and prospered. People led a prosperous life and were ever able to spent money for building places of public utility like hospitals, dharamshalas, temples etc.