How Saket Became Ayodhya: A Gupta Reinvention

The Ayodhya we know today is a city deeply intertwined with the legend of Lord Rama, but its origins are far more complex than a simple mythological tale. The city's transformation from Saket to Ayodhya is a testament to the political and cultural ambitions of the Gupta Empire.

Founded in 270 CE by Maharaja Sri Gupta, the Empire ushered in a new era of Hindu resurgence in North India. After defeating the Kushans, who had dominated the region for nearly two centuries, the Guptas established their capital in Pataliputra. The Guptas were a Brahmin dynasty and legendary for using Sanskrit, record keeping, and accounting prowess to maintain their vast empire. They also made Sanskrit the national language of court, learning, and religion. However, in around 460 CE, the Gupta King Skandagupta moved the capital from Pataliputra in Magadha to Saket in the middle of Uttar Pradesh and renamed it Ayodhya.

The choice of Ayodhya was not arbitrary. The name was steeped in ancient mythology, associated with the legendary King Ikshvaku, Rama's ancestor. By associating their new capital with this mythical city, the Guptas demonstrated their strategic thinking, seeking to legitimize their rule and position themselves as the rightful heirs to the Ikshvaku dynasty. The renaming of Saket to Ayodhya was a symbolic gesture, a declaration of their ambition to create a new golden age of Hindu rule, a move that still intrigues historians and enthusiasts alike.

The Guptas were not merely political opportunists. They were deeply committed to dharma, righteousness, and Hindu justice ideals and used this to dominate Indian politics for hundreds of years. Kings like Chandragupta II and Samudragupta were praised for their unwavering adherence to these principles, and a flourishing of Hindu culture and scholarship marked their reigns. By associating their capital with Ayodhya, the Guptas physically manifested their commitment to these ideals, inspiring respect and admiration among their subjects and historians alike.

Originally, Saket had been the capital of a Buddhist Kingdom called Kosala. By the time of the Gupta renaming, it had fallen into disrepair despite being at the epicenter of major trade routes. The Gupta Empire's decision to reinvent Saket as Ayodhya was profound and transformative, significantly impacting the city's history and subsequent significance in Hindu culture. The city became a center of pilgrimage and devotion, attracting countless devotees from across India. The legend of Rama, already a powerful force in Hindu mythology, was further amplified by its association with Ayodhya, solidifying the city's status as a sacred site and marking a significant turning point in Indian history.

Today, Ayodhya remains a contentious issue in India. However, the city's history as a Gupta capital and its association with the legend of Rama will continue to shape its identity and significance in the public’s imagination. The current rulers of India are trying to return to a Golden Age that was itself trying to return to another Golden Age. How incredible and ironic history can be.

Raja Choudhury is a National Film Award (India) winning filmmaker (The Quantum Indians 2014 and America's First Guru on PBS (US Television) 2024), Speaker (TED and TEDx) and Radical Spiritual Teacher/Historian