Question

Describe the role of Prabhavati Gupta in administering land grants recorded in the ancient inscriptions.

Hint:

Prabhavati Gupta's inscriptions are a rare window into the political life of Vakataka rulers. Most land grants were issued to religious figures or scholars to gain spiritual merit and political support.

Answer 1

Concept:

• Prabhavati Gupta, daughter of Chandragupta II, is an exceptional example of a woman exercising sovereign authority in ancient India.
• Inscriptions serve as the primary legal evidence for land grants and the royal power associated with them.

Step 1: Exercising royal authority
Prabhavati Gupta was the queen of the Vakataka dynasty. Her inscriptions explicitly record that she made land grants to Brahmanas in her own capacity, demonstrating her direct involvement in administration.

Step 2: Challenging historical norms
Her records challenge the conventional view that women in ancient India lacked property and administrative rights as defined by the Dharmashastras.

Step 3: Managing royal resources
The detailed documentation of the grants, including rights given to beneficiaries, indicates that she acted as a ruler who controlled agricultural resources and enforced state policies.