Samudragupta (Gupta script: 
Sa-mu-dra-gu-pta, r. c. (350-375 CE)[13] was a ruler of the Gupta Empire of Ancient India. He was a son of the emperor Chandragupta I and the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi. He greatly expanded his dynasty's political power.
| Samudragupta | |
|---|---|
| Achintya-purusha[1] Apratirathah[2] Aprativaryaviryah[3] Asvamedha-parakramah[4] Conqueror of the Four Oceans Devaraja Kritantaparasuh[5] Mahārājādhirāja Parakrama[6] Raja[7] Rajadhirajah[8] Sarvvarajochchetta[9] Sri Vikramah[10] Vyaghra-parakramah[11] | |
 Coin of Samudragupta, with Garuda pillar, emblem of Gupta Empire | |
| Gupta emperor | |
| Reign | c.335–375 CE |
| Predecessor | Chandragupta I, possibly Kacha |
| Successor | Chandragupta II, or possibly Ramagupta |
| Born | c. 318 CE Gupta Empire |
| Died | c. 380 CE Gupta Empire |
| Spouse | Dattadevi |
| Issue | Chandragupta II, and possibly Ramagupta |
| House | Gupta |
| Father | Chandragupta I |
| Mother | Kumaradevi |
| Religion | Brahminism[12] |
The Allahabad Pillar inscription, written by his courtier Harishena. It mentioned his many military conquests. It suggests that he defeated several kings of northern India. Also, that he added their territories to his empire. He also marched along the south-eastern coast of India. He advanced to move as far as the Pallava kingdom. In addition, he subjugated several frontier kingdoms and tribal states.
Samudragupta performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice to prove his imperial sovereignty. His gold coins and inscriptions suggest that he was a skilled poet and musician. His expansionist policy was continued by his son Chandragupta II.The primary source for the military campaigns of Samudragupta is the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, which was inscribed during his reign and provides a general overview of his military conquests. Other historical sources, such as the Puranas and the works of Chinese and Greek historians, also provide some information about Samudragupta's reign, but do not provide a comprehensive list of all his military campaigns.
Extent of the empire
change
Samudragupta's empire included a core territory in northern India. It was directly controlled by the emperor. Besides, it included some monarchical and tribal tributary states.[14] Historian R. C. Majumdar states that Samudragupta directly controlled an area extending from the Ravi River (Punjab) in the west to the Brahmaputra River (Bengal and Assam) in the east, and from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the Vindhya hills in the south. The south-western boundary of his territory roughly followed a line drawn from present-day Karnal to Bhilsa.[15] In the south, Samudragupta's empire included Eran in present-day Madhya Pradesh, evident from his inscription found there.[16] The Allahabad Pillar inscription suggests that he reached up to Kanchipuram in the south.[17]
Personality
change
Samudragupta's coins show him as a tall, strong man.[18] The Allahabad Pillar inscription presents him as a Merciful ruler. It was stated that his "mind was engaged in providing relief to the low, the poor, the helpless, and the afflicted".[19] It also stated that he revived many royal families which had lost their kingdoms, including the kings defeated by him.[20] At the same time, it states that he maintained strict administration ("Prachanda shasana").[21] The inscription states that Samudragupta became famous among the learned people because of his poetical works. He earned the byname "king of poets".[20] This suggests that he composed some poetical works. But none of these works now survive.[20] The inscription also says that Samudragupta embarrassed the heavenly musician Tumburu and Narada by his lovely performances of music. [21] Samudragupta's musical talents are also confirmed by his gold coins which depict him playing a veena. [20] The inscription praises Samudragupta's wisdom and intelligence.[20] It was stated that he was smarter than the instructor of the Lord of the Gods (that is, Brihaspati).[21]
References
change- ↑ Thaplyal, K.K. (2012), The Imperial Guptas, Aryan Books International, p. 127, ISBN 9788173054327
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Kumar, Sanjeev (2024), Treasures of the Gupta Empire, Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, p. 35.e2, ISBN 9781803277967
- ↑ Darshini, Priya (2005). "Religion and Policy of Toleration in the Gupta Period: Numismatic and Epigraphical Facts". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 66: 168. ISSN 2249-1937.
Thus in his religious beliefs and practices, ideals and models, symbols and attributes, Samudragupta personally belonged to the Brahmanaical fold.
- ↑ Harrington, John W.; Bora, Samudragupta (2018), "Autism Spectrum Disorder", Integrative Medicine, Elsevier, pp. 64–73.e4, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-35868-2.00008-6, ISBN 978-0-323-35868-2, retrieved 2023-03-23
- ↑ R. C. Majumdar 1981, p. 22.
- ↑ R. C. Majumdar 1981, p. 23, 27.
- ↑ R. C. Majumdar 1981, p. 23.
- ↑ Ashvini Agrawal 1989, p. 112.
- ↑ Tej Ram Sharma 1989, p. 95.
- ↑ Tej Ram Sharma 1989, p. 91, 94.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 R. C. Majumdar 1981, p. 31.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Tej Ram Sharma 1989, p. 94.
Bibliography
change- Ajay Mitra Shastri (1995). Inscriptions of the Śarabhapurīyas, Pāṇḍuvaṁśins and Somavaṁśins. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0637-5.
- Ashvini Agrawal (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0592-7.
- Dilip Kumar Ganguly (1987). The Imperial Guptas and Their Times. Abhinav. ISBN 978-81-7017-222-2.
- K. Chakrabarti (1996). "Origin and political history of the Guptas". In Ahmad Hasan Dani; B. A. Litvinsky (eds.). History of Civilizations of Central Asia: The crossroads of civilizations, A.D. 250 to 750. UNESCO. ISBN 978-92-3-103211-0.
- Lallanji Gopal (1969). Samudragupta. National Book Trust. OCLC 583078075.
- R. C. Majumdar (1981). A Comprehensive History of India. Vol. 3, Part I: A.D. 300-985. Indian History Congress / People's Publishing House. OCLC 34008529.
- Shankar Goyal (2001). Problems of Ancient Indian History: New Perspectives and Perceptions. Book Enclave. ISBN 978-81-87036-66-1.
- Upinder Singh (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Education India. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0.
- Tej Ram Sharma (1978). Personal and Geographical Names in the Gupta Inscriptions. Concept. p. 258. OCLC 249004782.
- Tej Ram Sharma (1989). A Political History of the Imperial Guptas: From Gupta to Skandagupta. Concept. ISBN 978-81-7022-251-4.
- Upinder Singh (2017). Political Violence in Ancient India. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-98128-7.