With reference to the administrative system of the Guptas, answer the following questions:

(a) Explain the position and powers of the king during the Gupta Age.

(b) Describe briefly the administration of villages during the Gupta period.

(c) According to the Allahabad Pillar, how many types of rulers existed during Samudragupta's reign? How did Samudragupta deal with them?

(a) During the Gupta period, Monarchy was the prevailing form of government. Theory of the divinity of kings became popular. The Gupta Kings were compared to different Gods such as Yama, Varuna, Indra, Kubera and also Vishnu as they were preservers and protectors of the people. They enjoyed a large number of powers which covered the political, administrative, military and judicial fields. They were the commanders-in-chief of the army. The kings appointed all the governors and important military and civil officers and they all worked under the guidance and control of the king. The king was the source of all honours and titles. All land in the country was the property of the king. He could construct dams, give shelter to foreigners, impose, recover and remit taxes and give justice. All unclaimed property went into the coffers of the king.

(b) The village administration was managed by the village headman. The small towns or villages were called vithis. Leading local elements participated in the administration of the village. No land transaction could be effected without their consent and this may have been also true of other important affairs. Thus, villages in the Gupta period were managed from grassroot level.

(c) The Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta describes four different kinds of rulers and tells us about Samudragupta's policies towards them:

1. The nine rulers of Aryavarta were uprooted and their kingdoms were made a part of Samudragupta's empire.
2. The twelve rulers of Dakshinapatha (South India), who surrendered to Samudragupta after being defeated, were liberated and allowed to rule again over their kingdoms.
3. The inner circle of neighbouring states, including Assam, Coastal Bengal, Nepal and a number of Gana Sanghas in the north west paid tribute, followed his orders and attended his court.
4. The rulers of the outlying areas submitted to him and offered their daughters in marriage.