GK SERIES FOR SSC, IAS, PCS, HAS, HCS
AND OTHER COMPETITIVE EXAMS
(HISTORY-5)
THE GUPTA DYNASTY
GOLDEN AGE OF INDIA
On the ruins of the
Kushan empire arose a new empire, which established its way over a good part of
the former dominions of both Kushans and Satavahanas. The first two kings of
the dynasty were Srigupta and Ghatotkacha.
CHANDRAGUPTA I (AD 319 – 335):
- First important king of Gupta
Dynasty.
- Started the Gupta era in
319-320 AD.
- He enhanced his power &
prestige by marrying Kumara Devi, princes of the Lichchavi clan of Nepal.
- He acquired the title of MahaRajaAdhi
Raja.
- Struck coins in the joint names
of himself, his queen and the Lachchavi nation, thereby acknowledging his
marriage alliance.
- First Gupta ruler to introduce silver coinage.
- Also started a new era calendar famously known as ‘Gupta
Samvat’(started in 320 AD).
SAMUDRAGUPTA (AD 335 – 375):
- The Gupta kingdom was enlarged enormously by
Chandragupta’s son & successor Samudragupta.
- His court poet Harisena wrote a glowing account of the
military exploits of his patron. In a long inscription at the Prayag
Prashasti pillar (at Allahabad), the poet enumerated the people &
countries that were conquered by Samudragupta.
- Samudragupta believed in the policy of war and conquest
and because of his bravery and generalship he is called the ‘Napoleon’ of
India (by the historian V.A. Smith).
- In the region called
AryaVrata he defeated nine rulers and Nagasena was one of them.
- Samudragupta is said to have composed numerous poems of
high merit. Some of his coins represent him playing vina. He also
performed Asvamedha sacrifice.
- He assumed the titles of Kaviraj.
- SamudraGupta
patronized Buddhist monk Vasubandhu and has been titled as DharamPrachar
Bandhu in the Allahabad inscription.
- Though a follower of the brahmanical religion, he was
tolerant of other faiths.
- Received a missionary from Meghavarman, the ruler of
SriLanka, seeking his permission to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya, which
he granted.
CHANDRAGUPTA – II (AD 380 – 413):
- Samudragupta was succeeded by Ramgupta but Chandragupta
II killed him and married his queen Dhruvadevi.
- He entered into matrimonial alliance with the Nagas (of
upper and the Central Provinces) by marrying princess Kubernaga whose
daughter Prabhavati was married to Rudrasena-II of the Vakataka family.
- Took the title of Vikramaditya by defeating Rudrasimha
III, a Kshatrap king of Ujjain. He also took the title of Simhavikrama.
- He issued copper coins.
- The iron pillar inscription, fixed near Qutabminar in
Delhi mentions a king Chandra (considered by many as Chandragupta II
only).
- During his period
Ujjain and Pataliputra became important learning centers.
- His court was adorned by celebrated nine gems
(navratnas) - Ghatakarpara,
Vraharuchi, Shanku, Amarsimha, VetalBhatta (equivalent to Birbal),
Varahmira, Kshpanaka, Dhanvantri, Kalidasa
- Chinese pilgrim Fahien visited India at this time.
KUMARAGUPTA – I (AD 413 – 455):
- He adopted the title of Mahendraditya.
- Founded Nalanda University (a renowned university of
ancient India).
- He was the worshipper of Lord Kartikeya (son of Lord
Shiva).
- Kumaragupta is famous
for maximum number of inscriptions during Gupta period. Best source of
information about his rule is Bhilsada Inscription.
- In the last years of his reign, the peace and
prosperity of the empire was disturbed due to the invasion of Turko-Mongol
tribe, Hunas. During the war with the Hunas, Kumaragupta died.
SKANDAGUPTA (AD 455 – 467):
- Kumaragupta-I was followed by Skandagupta. He faced
Hunas effectively.
- Restored Sudarshana Lake in Girnar region of Gujarat.
- He shifted his capital
to Ayodhya.
- After his death, the great days of the Guptas were
over. The empire continued but central control weakened, and local
governors became feudatory kings with hereditary rights.