Canberra, 18 March 2014 THE CONTEMPORARY DYNASTIES The Imperial Guptas did not rule the entire sub-continent, their empire being fundamentally confined to the north of the Vindhya Mountain ranges. Although Samudra Gupta had gone as far south as the northern reaches of the Chera kingdom of Kerala in a triumphant conquering march, the effect of […]
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INDIAN HISTORY Part 26: THE WHITE HUNS
March 3, 2014 
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Canberra, 3 March 2014 Soon after Pushyamitra’s uprising in Malwa against Kumara Gupta (ruled 415-455) had been put down, the ‘Hunas’ appeared at the border of the Empire. There is scant information available regarding the Pushyamitra rebellion. The only reference to the revolt is an obscure inscription, which states that it ‘ruined the fortunes of […]
Continue readingINDIAN HISTORY Part 25: THE GOLDEN GUPTAS Section V: The Empire and Its Governance
February 27, 2014 1 Comment
Canberra, 27 February 2014 The Guptas followed the traditional concepts of hereditary monarchy and that of primogeniture. The king’s right to rule was considered divinely ordained and was further sanctified by Brahminical ceremonies. However, this divine right was bestowed with the caveat that the king was duty and honour bound to institute righteous policies, follow […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 25 THE GOLDEN GUPTAS Section IV: End of Empire
February 7, 2014 0 Comments
Canberra, 7 February 2014 Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya left the Empire in an exalted state in terms of its national power, prosperity of both the kingdom and the people as well as the stability of governance. The borders were secure, trade with Egypt and even Europe was thriving, and there were no internal revolts or insurgencies […]
Continue readingINDIAN HISTORY Part 25 The Golden Guptas Section III: Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya
January 29, 2014 0 Comments
Canberra, 29 January 2014 Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya (375-415 A.D) At the end of Samudra Gupta’s reign the Gupta Empire was undoubtedly the most powerful and prosperous in the sub-continent. This envious position was achieved through two conscious and concerted activities of the dynasty—first was the minor conquests of Chandra Gupta I, followed by the aggressive […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 25 THE GOLDEN GUPTAS Section II: Samudra Gupta the Great
January 20, 2014 0 Comments
Canberra, 20 January 2014 Samudra Gupta the Great (335-375 A.D.) Samudra Gupta, the fourth king of the Gupta dynasty, ushered in the Golden Age of ancient India and could be considered the greatest amongst the Gupta emperors. [His successor, Chandra Gupta II also known as Vikramaditya, after whom the Indian Navy’s third aircraft carrier is […]
Continue readingIndian History: Part 25 THE GOLDEN GUPTAS Section I: An Empire is Establsihed
January 14, 2014 0 Comments
Canberra, 14 January 2014 The decline and passage into oblivion of the Kushan dynasty marked the beginning of yet another period in Indian history about which little or no verifiable knowledge is available, and even the limited information is often incoherent. There is no fully verifiable information even today regarding the events that took place […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 24: INDIAN CULTURAL INFLUENCE BEYOND THE BORDERS
January 6, 2014 0 Comments
Canberra, 6 January 2014 For medieval Indian kingdoms the sea provided the opportunity for trade, especially in the peninsular kingdoms that were essentially sea-faring nations and straddled the trade route between West Asia and China. Through the ages it is seen as an unbroken tradition that trade invariably led to political and cultural influence, normally […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 23: THE INDIAN APPROACH TO PHILOSOPHY
January 2, 2014 1 Comment
Canberra, 2 January 2014 Indian philosophy has its roots in the Vedic period and was initially an attempt by the great sages of that era to find answers to the fundamental questions of human existence: What is the world? If it is a creation, then who was the creator? What is life? What is ‘truth’? […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 22: Of ANCIENT LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE
December 27, 2013 0 Comments
Canberra, 27 December 2013 Language is a term that conveys a meaning much larger than just grammar or philology because it reflects prevalent social convention and learning. The use of language, the capacity to acquire and effectively employ a sophisticated and complex system of communication, is deeply entrenched in human culture. Language is the testament […]
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Sanu Kainikara 
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