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A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC SYSTEMS: MAURYA AND GUPTA EMPIRES IN ANCIENT INDIA

ABSTRACT

The Maurya and Gupta Empires had different economic systems. This study examines the Maurya and Gupta economies and their strengths and drawbacks. Emperor Ashoka centralised agriculture, commerce, and mining under the Maurya Empire. The government prioritised resource allocation, infrastructure, and currency stability. However, minimal private business and considerable bureaucracy plagued this system. The Gupta Empire, the “Golden Age” of ancient India, favoured private entrepreneurship and market forces above state planning. With broad trade channels linking India to the globe, trade and commerce thrived. Gupta monarchs emphasised agriculture, handicraft, and business. This method had downsides, including socioeconomic inequality and sometimes exploitation. This study compares the Maurya and Gupta economic systems to understand their structures, policies, and effects on ancient Indian civilization. It examines how various economic systems affect commerce, agriculture, taxes, and prosperity. It also illustrates economic issues ancient empires faced, including as foreign invasions, regional inequality, and resource management. This research examines the economic systems of the Maurya and Gupta Empires to understand ancient Indian economies, their role in moulding society, and their relevance to modern economics.

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