India Culture, Business, Sports and Food. Get all the buzz in India now

The Gupta kingdom of Magadha came into existence in the beginning of the 4^th century AD and rose into prominence under Samudragupta, the fourth ruler of the line. Of the origin of the Guptas, nothing is known with certainty. It is generally believed that the Guptas belong to the Vaishya caste. Dr. Jayswal suggested that the Guptas were Karkar or Karaskara Jats originally from Punjab. In support of his view it is argued that the early Gupta Kings, have been shown wearing the Kushan dress of long coat and trousers and that early gold coins issued by the Gupta Kings closely resembled those of the latter’s Kushanas not only in design but also in treatment and execution. Hence it can be presumed that the ancestors of the Imperial Guptas originally belonged to the Punjab which remained for a long period the center of Kushan culture. Much stress, however, cannot be laid on this argument.

From the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, we learn that Samudragupta defeated nine Kings of the North (Aryavarta) and eleven kingdoms of the south (Dakshin). He did not annex the kingdoms of Deccan into his empire but reinstated their rulers as his tributaries. The successes of Samudragupta in Northern and Southern India made a deep impression upon the frontier states of his empire and they, whether kingdoms or republics hastened to establish friendly relations with him. They recognized his suzerainty by paying all kinds of taxes, obeying orders and coming to do homage. One of these states was Kartripura which has been identified by Fleet and Allan with modern Kartarpur in Jalandhar district. The republican states on the North West frontier which submitted to him but were allowed to remain as his feudatories were Malavas, Arjunayanas, Yaudheyas and Madarakas.

The Allahabad Pillar Inscription mentions another category of Indian and foreign tribes who were independent or semi independent but submitted to the power of the Guptas. They purchased peace by self surrender and acts of homage such as the bringing of gifts of maidens. The foreign rulers in the North West who thus voluntarily surrendered and made some subordinate alliance with Samudragupta were Daivputra, Shahi and Shahnushahi. This expression denotes not a single Kushan king but three of the small states into which the Kushan Empire was divided after its disintegration. The ruler of each of these states adopted one title for himself according to his status. It has been suggested that Daivputra was probably the King Kidara of the Kidara Kushan dynasty who ruled over the western Punjab and Gandhara. The Shahis and Shahnushahis were the rulers of Afghanistan and adjoining regions. Kidara was originally a feudatory of the Sassanians who were then supreme in Afghanistan and the Indus Valley. He had tried to assert his independence from the Sassanian ruler Shahpur II but failed. Kidara again planned to challenge their power. Realizing his position insecure, he attempted to secure the goodwill of Samudragupta who had by this time extended his influence to the Punjab. Kidara sent him presents and professed allegiance to him. Having secured his position in the east, Kidara delivered his blows against Shahpur II and was successful in his undertaking.

Third Front After the release of exit poll results, Left Front has become more active than the other alliances in wake of the expectations of hung Lock Sabha verdict. Exit poll results have predicted that none of the two main alliances, NDA and UPA will reach near the magic figure of 272 Lok Sabha seats to form a government. In that case they both will have to look out for some new friends to increase their seat numbers to form a government. These predictions have filled Left Front with new enthusiasm and they have stepped up their efforts to unite some more regional small parties with it to make it stronger and increase its power. There are rumors that Third Front will integrate as soon as the poll results are declared and both the national level alliances, UPA and NDA step up their efforts to form the government. There are some reports that say that some of Third front partners are easy preys and can be easily won over by any of the alliance. In that case Third Front will be reduced to shambles.

Left-BSP Alliance In the midst of the news of split, Third Front has stepped up its efforts to form a none-Congress and none-BJP government. And with this aim Lefthas called an important meeting on May 18. BSP has been especially called in this meeting. It must be learnt that Left and BSP had come very close to each other on the issue of Indo-US N-deal. The reason behind it was only it that BSP’s biggest foe SP had changed its side and had supported Congress government in the trust vote motion. Prior to the trust vote motion it was being said that Manmohan Singh led UPA government will fall prematurely without the support of Left parties.  Political scenario of that time had made Mayawati one of the strongest contenders for PM’s chair for the remaining tenure of the present Lok Sabha. But Congress found ‘foe turned friend’ SP as its new ally and it easily won the ‘acid test’. This development had ‘broken Mayawati’s heart’ and she was very frustrated with it. The aim of defeating BSP in UP had united RJD, SP, Congress and LJP together. All these parities are sharing power with Congress in Centre. These events indicate that there are very few chanced that BSP supreme Mayawati will start smiling towards Congress. The bitterness between BSP and SP-Congress alliance is known to everyone. In the past BSP had formed alliances with BJP but they failed every time which increased bitterness between both the parties. All these facts indicate that BSP will prefer to go with Left Front instead of supporting Congress or BJP. Fast changing circumstances have increased Left’s expectations from Mayawati led Bahujan Samaj Party. Prominent Left leader Prakash Karat had met AB Vardhan and their parties have decided to call a meeting on 18^th May. Karat said that BSP’s presence in the meeting will be very important and it will send shocking signals to the other frontrunners for the PM’s chair.

Left- JD(S) It is being said that Third Front will become stronger after the election results. It is being expected that it will win a good number of seats. It will also find some more partners to stake claim for the formation of government in the centre. He also said that Left Front is united and will not be affected by TRS’ decision to go with NDA. He also confirmed that HD Deve Gowda led JD(S) is with the Left. It must be learnt that Deve Gowda had held a meeting with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi which was being taken by the media circles in the other way. Vardhan said that the meeting was held to discuss the Karnataka related issues.

Jayalalitha On the other hand AIADMK supreme Jayalalitha has shocked Left leaders by saying that after the declaration of results all options are open for her party. She has made it clear that after the results her party will discuss on the issue of formation of a government in New Delhi. She also made it clear that she will travel to Delhi only if the poll results are according to the expected lines. Many political parties had contacted her but AIADMK has not taken any decision to support any of them.

All these developments indicate that India will have to face a hung assembly and the key of power will be in the hands of regional parties. Left will play a decisive role in formation of government in the center. In other way no government can be formed without the support of Third Front.