Gupta Land Grants in Bengal: Administration, Economy, and Society (5th–6th Century CE)
Author - Biswarup Chatterjee . Introduction: Why Gupta Land Grants Matter for Bengal History The reconstruction of early Bengal’s history, particularly during the 5th–6th century CE , relies heavily on epigraphic evidence . Among these, Gupta copper plate inscriptions stand out as the most reliable and detailed sources. Unlike literary texts, which often reflect ideological or religious bias, inscriptions were legal documents that recorded real transactions, administrative decisions, and socio-economic structures . During the Gupta period, a significant portion of Bengal came under imperial control. This phase marks a crucial transition where administrative organization, agrarian expansion , and religious patronage became deeply interconnected. Land grant charters, therefore, are not merely records of donation—they are documents of governance, economy, and social negotiation. This article critically examines the administrative system and land transaction pro...