Question

With reference to the sources of information about the Gupta Age, write short notes on the following:
Accounts of Fa-Hien

Answer 1

Fa-Hien, in his book Fo-Kwo- Ki (The Travels of Fa-Hien) mentioned about the life of the people and religious conditions that prevailed in the early years. According to Fa-Hien, Magadha was a prosperous country with large towns, teeming with a wealthy population. Pataliputra was a flourishing city with numerous charitable institutions, including a hospital endowed by benevolent citizens. According to Fa-Hien, although the people were wealthy, they led simple lives, generally observing the Buddhist rules of conduct. Fa-Hien has mentioned that Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and even Buddhism and Jainism existed in society. People, however, had no ill-will towards other sects. Fa-Hien said that Hindu gods and goddesses were depicted on coins and also in sculptures and paintings. Fa-Hien was pleased with the mildness of the administration. According to him, the penal code was mild and the offenses were ordinarily punished by fines only. From his accounts, it can be inferred that the Gupta Empire was prosperous and governed on enlightened principles.