3.+Socio-Political+Structure

**__ 3. Socio-Political Structure: __**
 -military chieftains emerged as regional kings, imperial administrative control subdued  -served as a model for later British rule by keeping kingdoms separate and not merging them all into a single administrative unit. -Guptas drew upon many concepts and ideas of kingship that are stated in great epics, the //Rmyana// and the //Mahbhrata// -king associated with a god (according to the inscriptions and on coins from the Gupta period) claiming that their authority to rule the land came to them from their god. They had to carry out this act in order to serve their god (Vishnu) -To express allegiance to their god, they would actively invest their time or posessions, such as aiding the poor  -people enjoyed peace and freedom (according to Fa-hsien, Chinese Buddhist pilgrim who visited India in the time of Chandragupta II) -the main link between imperial government and local powers was tribute -There were no major taxes or punishments, as the government was lenient and relaxed -People had freedom of religion -Free medical care -Criminals fined instead of death sentenced -Financial rewards given to intellectuals, artists, etc. to encourage advances in those areas (this was very successful and saw many beneficial outsomes) -Had many well-known universities but most people were uneducated -Jobs included work on roads and other community amenities. People were paid for their work. -Some older children went to ashram (school) where they lived and studied Math, engineering, art, literature, science, music, and religion in a strict environment. -Three types of marriage existed: 1.Swayamvara, when one bride selected a groom from the many assembled at her house; this was the most common 2.Gandharva Vivaha, marriage by love and 3. Asura Viviha, marriage by abduction. -Southern Shaivite Indian women were dressed from neck to toe and men wore only a loin cloth. They had very few valuabes and didnt wear jewelry -Northern Vaishnav Indians wore dhotis (cloth draped around the legs and tied at the abdomen) Women wore bright colours while men wore white or dark colors. Valuables often consisted of jewelry, worn by the men and women (indicator of class) -large trade industry shaped the dominant Indian culture around the Bay of Bengal, greatly influencing that of Burma, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka  -caste system was very complex; castes and regulations governed the use of food and drink and social interaction 