The Gupta Economy
Education
In Ancient India, workers would start as an apprentice, then advance to a student, then an expert and finally a teacher. Since they were just starting out, apprentices always received four times less profit then the teachers.
In Ancient India, workers would start as an apprentice, then advance to a student, then an expert and finally a teacher. Since they were just starting out, apprentices always received four times less profit then the teachers.
Villages
India's economy in the Gupta times was based on Agriculture. They mainly grew rice, wheat and cotton. Both modern and ancient Indian people lived in villages. Villages were very important in India and were the homes of extended families. Each village had micro-societies with its own place of worship and ways of doing things.
India's economy in the Gupta times was based on Agriculture. They mainly grew rice, wheat and cotton. Both modern and ancient Indian people lived in villages. Villages were very important in India and were the homes of extended families. Each village had micro-societies with its own place of worship and ways of doing things.
Trades
The Guptas were traders and explorers, and carried on regular trade with the Romans and Chinese. Indian ships (under the Gupta) sailed far and wide to places like China and Arabia. They traded cotton, cloth and spices like cinnamon and pepper. Indian art from this time period has even been found in Roman ruins such as Pompeii.
The Guptas were traders and explorers, and carried on regular trade with the Romans and Chinese. Indian ships (under the Gupta) sailed far and wide to places like China and Arabia. They traded cotton, cloth and spices like cinnamon and pepper. Indian art from this time period has even been found in Roman ruins such as Pompeii.
Tax
Part of every farmer's income was taxed and sent to the royal treasury. Farmers paid the value of one fifteenth of their cattle and one sixth of their produce to tax collectors. They also paid a special water tax if they irrigated their land. Indian temples and priests were supported by offerings and fees.
Part of every farmer's income was taxed and sent to the royal treasury. Farmers paid the value of one fifteenth of their cattle and one sixth of their produce to tax collectors. They also paid a special water tax if they irrigated their land. Indian temples and priests were supported by offerings and fees.
Artisans (Craftsman)
The artisans in Gupta India were well organized and belonged to specialized guilds known as shreni. They produced cloth, pottery and metal wear. There were also special guilds who made oils exclusively from palms and other plants. Members of each guild combined their resources and shared the profits, and the more experienced members received a larger share. Membership in a shreni is usually hereditary, a trade passed down from father to son, daughters were not allowed to be members in the shrenis.
The artisans in Gupta India were well organized and belonged to specialized guilds known as shreni. They produced cloth, pottery and metal wear. There were also special guilds who made oils exclusively from palms and other plants. Members of each guild combined their resources and shared the profits, and the more experienced members received a larger share. Membership in a shreni is usually hereditary, a trade passed down from father to son, daughters were not allowed to be members in the shrenis.