hisstor of the Chandragupta I (320 – 330 A.D.)

Chandragupta I (320 – 330 A.D.)

The founder of the Gupta dynasty was Sri Gupta. He was
succeeded by Ghatotkacha. These two were called Maharajas.
Much information was not available about their rule. The next ruler
was Chandragupta I and he was the first to be called
Maharajadhiraja (the great king of kings). This title indicates his
extensive conquests. He strengthened his position by a matrimonial
alliance with the Licchavis. He married Kumaradevi, a princess of
that family. This added to the power and prestige of the Gupta family.
The Meherauli Iron Pillar inscription mentions his extensive
conquests. Chandragupta I is considered to be the founder of the
Gupta era which starts with his accession in A.D. 320.

Samudragupta (330-380 A.D.)

Samudragupta was the greatest of the rulers of the Gupta

dynasty. The Allahabad Pillar inscription provides a detailed account

of his reign. It refers to three stages in his military campaign:1. Against some rulers of North India

2. His famous Dakshinapatha expedition against South Indian

rulers

3. A second campaign against some other rulers of North India.

In the first campaign Samudragupta defeated Achyuta and

Nagasena. Achyuta was probably a Naga ruler. Nagasena belonged

to the Kota family which was ruling over the upper Gangetic valley.

They were defeated and their states were annexed. As a result of

this short campaign, Samudragupta had gained complete mastery

over the upper Gangetic valley.

Then Samudragupta marched against the South Indian

monarchs. The Allahabad Pillar inscription mentions that

Samudragupta defeated twelve rulers in his South Indian Expedition.

They were Mahendra of Kosala, Vyaghraraja of Mahakanthara,

Mantaraja of Kaurala, Mahendragiri of Pishtapura, Swamidatta of

Kottura, Damana of Erandapalla, Vishnugupta of Kanchi, Nilaraja

of Avamukta, Hastivarman of Vengi, Ugrasena of Palakka, Kubera

of Devarashtra and Dhananjaya of Kushtalapura. Samudragupta’s

policy in South India was different. He did not destroy and annex

those kingdoms. Instead, he defeated the rulers but gave them back

their kingdoms. He only insisted on them to acknowledge his

suzerainty.

The third stage of Samudragupta’s campaign was to eliminate

his remaining north Indian rivals. He fought against nine kings,

uprooted them and annexed their territories. They were Rudradeva,

Matila, Nagadatta, Chandravarman, Ganapathinaga, Nagasena,

Achyuta, Nandin and Balavarman. Most of these rulers were

members of the Naga family, then ruling over different parts of north

India.After these military victories,

Samudragupta performed the

asvamedha sacrifice. He issued gold

and silver coins with the legend

‘restorer of the asvamedha’. It is

because of his military achievements

Samudragupta was hailed as ‘Indian Napoleon’.

Extant of Samudragupta’s Empire

After these conquests, Samudragupta’s rule extended over

the upper Gangetic valley, the greater part of modern U.P., a portion

of central India and the southwestern part of Bengal. These territories

were directly administered by him. In the south there were

tributary states. The Saka and Kushana principalities on the west

and northwest were within the sphere of his influence. The kingdoms

on the east coast of the Deccan, as far as the Pallava Kingdom,

acknowledged his suzerainty.

Estimate of Samudragupta

Samudragupta’s military achievements remain remarkable in

the annals of history. He was equally great in his other personal

accomplishments. The Allahabad Pillar inscription speaks of his

magnanimity to his foes, his polished intellect, his poetic skill and

his proficiency in music. It calls him Kaviraja because of his ability

in composing verses. His image depicting him with Veena is found

in the coins issued by him. It is the proof of his proficiency and

interest in music. He was also a patron of many poets and scholars,

one of whom was Harisena. Thus he must be credited with a share

in the promotion of Sanskrit literature and learning, characteristic of

his dynasty. He was an ardent follower of Vaishnavism but was

tolerant of other creeds. He evinced keen interest in Buddhism and

was the patron of the great Buddhist scholar Vasubandu.