Podcast
Questions and Answers
Chandragupta I was succeeded by his son ______.
Chandragupta I was succeeded by his son ______.
Samudragupta
The Allahabad pillar inscription was written by Samudragupta's court poet ______.
The Allahabad pillar inscription was written by Samudragupta's court poet ______.
Harisena
Samudragupta was referred to as the '______ of India' due to his military conquests.
Samudragupta was referred to as the '______ of India' due to his military conquests.
Napoleon
In Phase I, Samudragupta defeated the rulers of ______ doab and annexed their kingdoms.
In Phase I, Samudragupta defeated the rulers of ______ doab and annexed their kingdoms.
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Samudragupta brought the forest kingdoms known as ______ rajyas under the control of the Guptas.
Samudragupta brought the forest kingdoms known as ______ rajyas under the control of the Guptas.
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Samudragupta's army reached as far as ______ (Tamil Nadu), where the Pallavas were forced to acknowledge his suzerainty.
Samudragupta's army reached as far as ______ (Tamil Nadu), where the Pallavas were forced to acknowledge his suzerainty.
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Inscriptions and coins are the main ______ sources to know about the Guptas.
Inscriptions and coins are the main ______ sources to know about the Guptas.
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Chandragupta I was the first powerful ruler of the ______ dynasty.
Chandragupta I was the first powerful ruler of the ______ dynasty.
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______ and Uttarakhand were among the regions ruled by the Guptas initially.
______ and Uttarakhand were among the regions ruled by the Guptas initially.
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We get information from the coins of ______ I, his queen Kumaradevi, and others.
We get information from the coins of ______ I, his queen Kumaradevi, and others.
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The ______ pillar inscription is one of the main inscriptions that provide valuable information.
The ______ pillar inscription is one of the main inscriptions that provide valuable information.
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The Chinese traveler ______ visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II.
The Chinese traveler ______ visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II.
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The ______ literature of Kalidasa throw light on the society and policy of the Gupta Empire.
The ______ literature of Kalidasa throw light on the society and policy of the Gupta Empire.
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Chandragupta I was described in the inscriptions with the title of ______.
Chandragupta I was described in the inscriptions with the title of ______.
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Study Notes
Sources of Information about the Guptas
- Inscriptions and coins are the primary archeological sources to know about the Guptas
- Many gold and silver coins have been found in the regions of present-day Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand, bearing the names of kings and deities on the reverse
- Inscriptions are mainly in the form of prashastis (praise of kings), including the Allahabad pillar inscription, Udaygiri cave inscription, Mathura stone inscription, Bhitari pillar inscription, and Sanchi inscription
- Monuments provide information about the different forms of art and architecture during the reign of the Guptas
- Chinese traveler Fahien's account provides valuable information on various aspects of Indian society under the Gupta rulers
- Sanskrit literature of Kalidasa, the epics, and Puranas throw light on the society and policy of the Gupta Empire
Rulers of the Gupta Empire
Chandragupta I (c. 320 – c. 335 CE)
- First powerful ruler of the Gupta dynasty
- Son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of Sri Gupta
- Described in inscriptions with the title of Maharajadhiraja (the great king of all kings)
- Considered the founder of the Gupta Empire
- Expanded his territory through marriage alliances with the Licchavis (Nepal) and conquests
- Married Kumaradevi, a Lichchavi princess from Vaishali, enhancing his power and prestige
- Gold coins of Chandragupta I show the image of Kumaradevi on them
- Extended his kingdom through conquests, becoming the ruler of Prayaga (Allahabad), Saket (Ayodhya), and Magadha (South Bihar)
- Laid the foundation for the empire's future prosperity
- Succeeded by his son Samudragupta
Samudragupta I (c. 335 – c. 375 CE)
- Son of Chandragupta I and regarded as one of the finest and most significant rulers of the Gupta dynasty
- The Allahabad pillar inscription (Allahabad Prashasti) is the most authentic source of information about his conquest
- Great warrior and conqueror, referred to as the "Napoleon of India" due to his military conquests
- Followed a policy of conquest and expansion, with his conquests divided into five phases:
- Defeated rulers of Ganga-Yamuna doab and annexed their kingdoms
- Included rulers of eastern Himalayan regions of Nepal, Assam, Bengal, etc. who surrendered to his might
- Brought the forest kingdoms known as Atavika rajyas situated in the Vindhya region (central India) under the control of the Guptas
- Defeated twelve rulers of eastern Deccan and south India, liberating them and receiving tributes and presents from the Pallavas of Kanchi (Tamil Nadu)
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Description
Learn about the sources of information on the Gupta Empire, including archaeological and literary sources, inscriptions, coins, and more. Discover how these sources provide insight into the history of the Gupta Empire.
