The Gupta Polity is a companion volume to the author’s The Mauryan Polity. Divided into seven sections it presents a comprehensive history of the Gupta dynasty. The Gupta period is known for its golden age of literary compositions and the author begins with a literary history of the period. The administrative structure within the political sphere including the central powers the provincial government frontier region policy and various other administrative systems are covered next. Furthermore the establishment of military forces officials councils offices and ethical practices of the army as well as economic practices and the legal system are discussed. There is discussion on religious history which is the most important aspect as it talks about the popularity of sects within Hinduism like Vaishnavism Shaivism Shakti and Surya cults and the accounts of Buddhism and Jainism during the Gupta period. About the Author Vishnampet R. Ramachandra Dikshitar (1896-1953) was a historian and Indologist from Tamil Nadu. He was a professor of history and archaeology in the University of Madras.
