for students of BA I Sem BHU

1. BA I Sem
BHU
Gupta Dynasty
By
Prachi Virag Sontakke

3. Introduction
• After the decline of Kusana power, a period of political disintegration.
• Many small powers ruling parts of northern India.
• Number of small kingdoms & autonomous tribal states
• Gupta dynasty had its humble beginnings in such an environment.
• Gradually Guptas rose to prominence during 4th cent CE and became
the most powerful dynasty in north India.
• Their rule was remarkable for establishing political unity and cultural
prosperity: The Golden age of Indian history?

4. Literature Inscriptions Coins Monuments Excavated
sites
Devichandraguptam
by Vishakhdutta
Samudragupta: Prayag
Prashasti, Eran inscription
Gold
coins:
Dinaar
Shiva temple at
Bhumara, M.P.
Rajghat
Mrichchhakatikam by
Shudrak
Kaumudimahotsava,
Chandragupta II: Udayagiri
inscription, Mathura pillar
inscription, Mehrauli pillar
inscription
Silver
coins:
Rupak
Temple no. 17
Sanchi,
Bhitargaon
temple, Kanpur
Vaishali
Works of Kalidasa,
Harshcharita by Bana,
Aryamanjushrimulka
—lpa etc
Kumargupta: Damodarpur
copper plate, Mandsore
inscription,Bhilsad
inscription
Copper
coins:
Mashak
Nachana Kuthar
temple, M.P.
Patiliputra
Accounts of Faxian,
Xuan Zang, It-sing
Etc
Skandagupta: Bhitari
inscription, Junagarh
inscription
Bayana
coin
hoard
Dashavatar
temple,
Devagarh. Etc
Bhitari
Etc

5. Origin & Early History
• Shrouded in obscurity.
• Gupta sir name known in Satavahana & Sunga history.
• But if related with this particular Gupta family: not clear.
• Early rulers feudatories: subordinate to some paramount lord.
• Question of their caste & original homeland?

6. Origin of Guptas: Theory 1
• Caste : Shudra caste/lower caste
• View propounded by : K.P.Jayaswal
• Basis: 1. Kaumudimahotsava
2. Poona copper plate mentions Gupta gotra as Dharana.
• Analysis : Evidence itself is dubious and corelations are far fetched
• Conclusion: Unacceptable view.

7. Origin of Guptas: Theory 2
• Caste : Vaishya
• View propounded by : Allan, A.S. Altekar, Romila Thapar, R.S.Sharma & others
• Basis: 1. Vishnupurana sholka= Brahmans will use suffix Sharma, Kshatriyas
will use Varma, Vaishyas will use suffix Gupta & Shudras will use Daasa in their
names.
• Analysis : King Ghatotkacha didn’t use this suffix.
Kautilya’s name was Vishnugupta but he was a Brahman.

8. Origin of Guptas: Theory 3
• Caste : Kshatriya
• View propounded by : S.Chattopadhyaya, R.C.Majumdar, G.S.Ojha etc.
• Basis: 1. Lichchhavis married into Gupta family. Lichchhavis were Kshatriyas.
2. Text from Java: A Kshatriya king calls himself descendant of Samudragupta
3. Panchobh inscription: A Gupta family claiming to be descendants of Arjuna.
4. Sirpur inscription: A King Chandragupta called Chandravamsi Kshatriya.
• Analysis : Evidence is subjected to various interpretations.

9. Origin of Guptas: Theory 4
• Caste : Brahmana
• View propounded by : Dashrath Sharma
• Basis: 1. Agnipurana + Skandapurana: 24 gotras of Brahman-Dharana
one of them
2. Matrimonial relations with Brahman families Vakatakas &
Kadambas.
• Analysis : multiple interpretations

10. Origin of Guptas: Final conclusion
• Multiple interpretations of evidence.
• Evidence is not sufficient to reach any definite conclusion.
• But were not Shudras for sure.

11. Original homeland: Theory 1
• Region: Bengal
• View propounded by : R. C. Majumdar, Allan, Ganguli.
• Basis: Accounts of It-sing
• Analysis: rendering of only those parts which suited to support this
hypothesis

12. Original homeland: Theory 2
• Region: Magadh
• View propounded by : V.C.Pandey
• Basis: 1. Vishnupurana- अनुगङ्गा प्रयागं मागधा: गुप्ताश्च भोक्षयात त
2. Vayupurana- Prayag, Saket, Magadh ruled by Guptas.
3. Prayag Prasasti

13. Original homeland: Theory 3
• Region: Eastern U.P.
• View propounded by : S.R.Goyal
• Basis: 1. Early Gupta coins recovered from eastern Uttar Pradesh.
2. Early Gupta inscriptions recovered from eastern Uttar Pradesh.

14. Original homeland: Inference
• Scrutiny of evidence indicates that the original homeland of Gupta
rulers was in Magadh.

15. Gupta dynasty: Early rulers
• Gupta inscriptions: Srigupta was
the founder of this dynasty
• Ruling in : c.275 CE
• Title: Maharaja
• No coins /inscriptions of his
own.
• But mentioned in inscriptions of
his successors.
• 2 seals bearing the legend ‘श्री
गुप्तस्य’
• Ruled in and around Magadh
• Ghatotkach
• Probably S/O Srigupta
• Title: Maharaja
• Poona copper plate : called
founder of Gupta dynasty?
• No coins or inscriptions issued
by him known
• Mentioned in inscriptions of
his successors.
• Ruled in and around Magadh

16. Chandragupta I: 320-349CE
• Sources: Chandragupta-Kumaradevi type coin & inscriptions of his
successors
• Extension of empire: Matrimonial alliance
Married Lichchhavi princess Kumardevi
Lichchhavis were ruling in Vaishali.
• Extent of empire: Magadh & area of influence in Vaishali.
• Achievements & Contributions:
1.First independent king.
2. First Gupta king to take the title ‘Maharajadhiraj’
3.Started Gupta era in 320 CE.

17. Observations
1.Matrimonial alliance with Lichchhavis gave him a
political standing.
2. He propagandised this alliance by issuing
Chandragupta-Kumaradevi type coins.
3. He inscribed the name of his queen on the coins.
4. He is addressed as ‘Lichchhavi Dauhitra’ (Lichchhavi
Daughter’s son) in inscriptions of his successors.
5. Was able to provide the jump start needed for the
establishment of Gupta power by his son & successor
Samudragupta.

18. Question type

19. Samudragupta: 350-375 CE
• Kachagupta?
• S/O Chandragupta I & Kumaradevi.
• Chandragupta I publicly announced him as heir-apparent.
• Well educated, talented & ambitious king.
• Inherited a kingdom centred around Magadha and turned it into a
mighty empire.
• Left behind details of his career in his Prayag Prashasti written by
Harishena, his court poet.

20. Sources
Coins, Prayag Prashasti, Eran inscription, Inscriptions
of his successors

21. Imperialistic conquests
Early conquests
Conquest of Aryavarta
Conquest of Dakshinapath
Conquests of tribal kingdoms
Conquest of frontier kingdoms & republics

22. Details of imperialistic conquests from Prayag Prashasti

23. Early victories
Prayag Prashasti: Samudragupta defeated following kings-
1. Achyut: King of Panchala
2.Nagasena & Ganapati naga: Kings of Naga dynasty ruling in Mathura &
Padmavati.
3.Kotkulaj : King of Patiliputra/ Kosal??
• Policy: complete annihilation of victorious kingdoms
Naga kings were a great threat during the times of Samudragupta & so it was
important for him to end their threat.

24. Conquest of Aryavarta
Prayag Prashasti: Defeated following kings
1. Rudradeva: Vakataka king (K.P.Jayaswal)/Western Kshatrap king (D.C.Sircar),
Kausambi king (S.Chattopadhyaya) ???
2. Matila: ruled Bulandshahar (J.Fleet)/ Naga king (K.P.Jayaswal) ??
3. Nagadutta: Naga king (K.P.jayaswal)
4. Chandravarman: ruled eastern Punjab (K.P.Jayaswal)/ Bengal (V.A.Smith) ??
5. Nandi: A Naga king
6. Balvarman: Maukhari king of Magadh (U.N.Rai)/ king of Assam (Dandekar) ??
7. Achyut : King of Panchala.
8. Nagasena : King of Padmavati & Mathura
9. Ganpati naga: A Naga king
Policy: Asur vijay= complete annihilation & annexing of kingdoms.

25. Conquest of
Dakshinapath
KINGS IDENTIFICATION
Mahendra of Kosala Raipur, Bilaspur, Sambhalpur
Vyaghraraj of Mahakantara Orissa
Mantraja of Kurala Probably Korad in south India
Mahendragiri of Pishthpura Pishthapuram im Godavari
district, T.N.
Swamidutta of Kottur Ganjam in Orissa
Daman of Erandpalla Vishakhapatnam in A.P.
Vishnugopa of Kanchi Madras
Neelraj of Avmukta Probably near Kanchi
Hastivarman of Vengi Nellore in A.P.
Ugrasena of Palak Guntur in A.P.
Kuber of Devarashtra Vishakhapatnam in A.P.
Dhananjaya of Kusthalpur Northern Arcot district in
Karnataka
Policy:
• ग्रहणमोक्षानुग्रह
• Defeated but
kingdoms not
attached.
• Kalidasa’s Dharma
vijay

26. Conquest of tribal kingdoms
• H. C. Raichaudhary + J. Fleet: Attavika rajya = Gazipur-Jabalpur
• Location of these kingdoms: between route from north to south
• Aim: Probably to gain control over this strategically important area.
• Policy: Samudragupta made the kings of these kingdoms, his servants.

27. Aatvika kingdoms

28. Conquest of frontier regions
Kingdoms Identification
Samtata West Bengal
Davaka Assam
Kamrupa Assam
Kruttapura Jalandhar
Nepal Nepal
Policy: Defeated kings paid taxes, obeyed orders, rendered obedience in person to the
Gupta king
Republics Identification
Malava Rajputana/M.P.
Arjunayana Agra-Jaipur
Yaudheya Near Sutlej river
Madraka Between Ravi & Chenab
Aabhir Central India
Prarjuna M.P.
Sankaanika Bhilsa, M.P.
Kaaka M.P.
kharparika Damoh, M.P.

29. Relations with Foreign powers:
Names Identification
Devaputrashahnushahi Kusanas in western Punjab
Sakas Western Malva, Gujrat
Murundas
• Whether defeated or themselves accepted the Gupta sovereignty ?
• Policy of subservience: these kings sought to win favour of Gupta monarch by regular
attendance in his court, offering their daughters in marriage, seeking permission to
use imperial coins

30. Diplomatic alliance
• Contemporary Sri Lankan king was Meghavarna
• He sent a delegation of messengers with gifts to court of
Samudragupta seeking his permission to construct a monastery for
Buddhist Bhikkus from Sri Lanka.

31. Extent of empire
• N- Himalayas
• S- Vindhyas
• E-Bengal
• W-Malwa
• Area under influence greater
• Performed Asvamedha yajna
after his victories.
• Capital: Patiliputra

32. Achievements
• Poona copper plate: Performed many
asvamedha yajnas.
• Eran inscription: He was a great doner.
• A benevolent and just king.
• Brilliant general & statesman.
• Unique blend of vision & practicality.
• A wise learner and patron of knowledge.
• A great musician & poet.
• Issued 6 types of coins.
• Titles: Maharajadhiraja, Lichchhavi
dauhitra, Sarvarajyochhetta,
Anekasvamedhayajina

33. Overview of Samudragupta’s reign
• Reign important for political as well as cultural achievements.
• Aggressive imperialistic conquests: a brave general
• Long list of kingdoms brought under various forms of subjugation.
• V.A.Smith: He was the Napoleon of India.

34. Ramgupta
• It was long held belief that Samudragupta was succeeded by Chandragupta II.
• Discovery of copper coins from Eran & Bhilsa with legend Ramgupta + Durjanpur Jain sculpture
inscription bearing name ‘Maharajadhiraja Ramgupta’
• R.D.Benerjee: Samudragupta had 2 sons- Ramgupta & Chandragupta II
• Devichandraguptam : Ramgupta defeated by Saka king. Agreed to send his queen Dhruvaswamini
to the chambers of Saka king. Ramgupta’s brother went to the enemy camp in guise of queen &
killed Saka king.
• Harshacharit, Kavyamimansa refer to this anecdote.
• Sanjan, Kambe , Sangali copper plates of Rashtrakutas indirectly mention this act.
• S.R.Goyal: Ramgupta was governor of Malva during Samudragupta’s reign. He fell prey to political
diplomacy of Chandragupta II.

35. Chandragupta II (c.375-415 CE)
• S/O Samudragupta & Duttadevi.
• He was one of the most powerful Gupta monarchs
• Inherited a mighty empire built by his father.
• Further extended the boundaries of Gupta empire.
• His long reign of 40 years was notable for political &
cultural accomplishments.
• Sources: Works of Kalidasa, accounts of Faxian,
Mathura pillar inscription, Mehrauli pillar inscription,
Udaygiri inscription, his coins etc

36. Mehrauli Pillar inscription

37. Extension of empire: Matrimonial alliances
Vakatakas
Kadambas
Nagas

38. Matrimonial alliance: Naga family
• Poona Copper plate : Chandragupta II married Kubernaga of Naga
Dynasty.
• H.C. Rai Chaudhary + Majumdar: Probably marriage happened during
the time of Samudragupta.
• Daughter Prabhavati Gupta was born out of this union.

39. Matrimonial alliance: Kadamba family
• Kadambas were ruling in Kuntal (Northern
Karnataka).
• Talgunda inscription : Kadamba king
Kakusthavarman married his daughter into Gupta
family.
• D.C. Sircar : Probably married his daughter with
either son/grandson of Chandragupta II.
• Text Kshringarprakash by Bhoja : Kuntal king
immersed himself in materialistic comforts of life
after resting burden of his kingdom onto the
shoulders of Chandragupta II.

40. Matrimonial/ Diplomatic alliance: Vakatakas
• Poona copper plate of Prabhavati Gupta: Chandragupta II
married his daughter Prabhavati Gupta with Vakataka king
Rudrasena II.
• V.A. Smith: It was a diplomatic move on part of
Chandragupta as the Vakatakas occupied such a
geographical position which could be helpful in his campaign
against Sakas.
• Rudrasena II ruled for only 5 years and died.
• Prabhavatigupta became the Queen regent on behalf of her
minor children.
• Issued inscriptions giving genealogy of her father’s side
rather than husbands.
• Took the gotra of her father rather than husband.
• Used Gupta brahmi script in her Poona copper plate instead
of Vakataka box headed brahmi.

42. Extension of empire: Imperialistic policy
• Mehrauli pillar inscription: Chandragupta II defeated a federation of kings
of Samtata, Davaka & Kamrupa who were stationed at Bengal.
• Mehrauli pillar inscription: Chandra defeated Vahalikas after crossing the
seven tributaries of Sindhu.
• D.R.Bhandarkar + R.G. Basak : Vahalika = Punjab
• Mehrauli pillar inscription: Chandra’s fame spread in south India too.

43. Imperialistic conquests: Saka victory
• Udayagiri inscription of commander in chief of army Veershaiva +
Udayagiri inscription of Samant Sankanika + Sanchi inscription of
soldier Amrakardava: Stationing of Gupta armies in Malwa enroute
for Saka campaign of Chandragupta II.
• Saka king = Rudrasimha II.
• Chandragupta II defeated & probably killed him.
• A very significant victory=ended the dynasty of western Kshatrapas
which ruled for over 300 years.
• Annexed Gujarat & Kathiawad.
• Issued Gupta silver coins in imitation of silver Saka coins.
• Lion slayer type gold coins of Chandragupta II= Victory over Sakas?
• Economic gain?
• Probably took the title of ‘Vikramaditya’ after this victory.

44. Numismatic
evidence

45. Extent of empire
• North – Himalayas
• South – Narmada
• East – Bengal
• West – Saurashtra
• Area of influence: Vakataka &
Kadamba kingdom
• Titles: Maharajadhiraja,
Vikramaditya, Shri Vikram, Shri
Chandra, Vikramanka,
Parambhagvata.

46. Achievements & Contributions
• Not only a great victor but also an able administrator.
• Faxian: showered high praise for his administration.
• His 40 years of rule was marked by peace, prosperity & religious
tolerance.
• Himself a scholar & also a patron of scholars: Ujjaini & Patiliputra
became centres of learning during his reign.
• Issued a variety of gold coinage.
• First time started gupta silver coinage.

47. Chandragupta II: Concluding remarks
• A multifaceted personality.
• A great general, diplomat, administrator & scholar.
• He aptly utilized the foundations laid by his father Samudragupta in
establishing Gupta supremacy.
• Guptas under his capable leadership attained political-social-economic
stability.

48. Kumargupta I (415-455CE)
• S/O Chandragupta II & Dhruvaswamini.
• Received a mighty empire from his father.
• Was able to successfully safeguard the
Gupta dominion for 40 years.
• His reign was notable for peace &
prosperity.

49. Sources
• His 18 inscriptions: Bilsad inscription,
Mandsore inscription, Karamdanda
inscription, Udaygiri inscription,
Mankuwar inscription, Damodarpur
copper plate, Begram copper plate etc.
• Bhitari inscription
• Coins: Gold, silver, Copper, Lead. Bayana
hoard
• Account of Xuan Zuang : ‘Shakraditya’

50. Gold coins
of
Kumargupta I

51. Silver & lead coins of Kumargupta I

52. Extension of Empire
• His coins &inscriptions do not tell us about his imperialistic conquests.
• R.D.Benerjee: He was a weak ruler.
• H.C.Rai Chaudhary : Probably Kumargupta I crossed Narmada & tried to
acquire areas with lions.
• Basis : His Lion slayer coins + His 1395 coins from Satara, Maharashtra
+13 coins from Barar.
• Analysis: Unacceptable view.
• R.K. Mookherji: Kumargupta I conquered Assam
• Basis : Rhinoceros slayer coins of Kumargupta I.
• Analysis : Unacceptable view.

53. Attack of Pushyamitras
• Inscriptions: His early years were quite peaceful.
• During last years of his reign, He faced attack of Pushyamitra tribe.
• Bhitari Inscription : Pushyamitras had a great army & possessed great
wealth. As a result of this attack, the Rajlaxmi of Guptas became disturbed.
• Divekar: Name of the attacking army not given.
• R.D.Banerjee: Pushyamitras = Hunas.
• Smith: A Tribe of western India.
• K.P.Jayasawal: Pushmitras resided in western Malwa.
• Vayu Purana + Jain Kalpasutra : Pushyamitra tribe was ruling near Narmada
banks.

54. Extent of empire
• Uttar Pradesh: Gadhwa & Mankuwar inscription,
Karamdanda inscription.
• Bengal: Damodarpur copper plate, Begram
copper plate etc.
• Malwa: Tummain inscription, Mandsore
inscription.
• Madhya Pradesh: Silver coins from M.P.
• Saurashtra: Coins from Vallabhi, Junagarh etc
• Mandsore inscription: Kumargupta will rule the
whole earth surrounded by 4 seas.
• V.C.Pandey: His empire extended from Himalayas
to Malwa and from Saurashtra to Bengal.
• Titles: श्रीमहे र , अश्वमेधमहे र , स ंहमहे र ,
गुप्तक
ु लामलचंर , गुप्तक
ु लव्योमशशी इत्यादि

55. Skandagupta (c. 455-467 CE)
• S/O Kumargupta I.
• Successfully helped his father during the attack of Pushyamitras.
• Some scholars believe that Skandagupta had to fight his right to
throne.
• The period when Skandagupta ascended the throne witnessed
important political happenings.

56. Sources
• Bhitari Inscription.
• Junagarh inscription
• Gadhwa inscription.
• Kahom inscription etc.
• Coins: Au,Ag,Pb.
• Kathasaritsagara

57. Junagarh inscription

58. Kahom Inscription

59. Bhitari Pillar Inscription

60. Huna attack
• Probably faced some struggles in the early years of his reign.
• Bhitari Inscription: Skandagupta fought a frightful battle with Huna invaders.
He was successful in defending his empire.
• Junagarh inscription: ‘Malechchhas’ (= Hunas) after being defeated by
Skandagupta, started singing praises of him
• Kathasaritsagar of Somadeva: Vikramaditya, S/O of king Mahendraditya of
Ujjaini was victorious against Malechchhas.
• B.P. Sinha: This battle was fought somewhere in Ganga valley?
• Upendra Thakur: Battle with Hunas was fought in plains of western India.
• Probably this battle occurred before 460 CE because Kahom inscription of the
same year does not mention it while Junagarh inscription of 455CE mentions
it.

61. Extension of Empire: Imperialism
• More in defensive mode that attacking mode
• Junagarh inscription: Subdued kings who like nagas kepts their serpent head high with
proud.
• Fleet : Naga = Naga kings. Some scholars : Naga = Hunas
• Balaghat inscription (Vakatakas) : Kosal, Mekal, Malwa ruled by Vakataka king Narendrasena.
• It appears that taking opportunity during the early struggle of Skandagupta with
Pushyamitras & Hunas, Vakatakas snatched away some parts of Gupta empire.
• But Skandagupta soon took back these lost areas from Vakatakas.

62. Extent of empire
• North – Himalayas
• South – Narmada
• East – Bengal
• West – Saurashtra
• Titles: Kramaditya,
Parambhagwata, Vikramaditya,
Kshitipsatapatih etc.

63. Achievements & Contributions
• Safeguarded Gupta empire from Huna attack.
• Very concerned about the welfare of his subjects.
• Junagarh inscription: In his reign, not a single subject was exploited.
• Junagarh inscription: His governor of Saurashtra, repaired Sudarshan
Jheel
• Himself a Parambhagvata but tolerant of other religions.
• Aryamanjushrimulakalpa: A supreme, intelligent and religiously just
king.

64. Skandagupta: Overview
• An able administrator & general.
• Was capable enough to secure the empire he received from his father.
• Credited with destruction of Hunas.
• He thus safeguarded the glory of Guptas.
• Last of the great Gupta rulers.
• Succeeded by weak successors.

65. Successors: 467-550 CE
• Purugupta
• Kumargupta II
• Buddhagupta
• Narsimhagupta baladiyta
• Bhanugupta
• Vainyagupta
• Kumargupta III
• Last Gupta ruler = Vishnugupta

66. Hunas & fall of Gupta empire
• Growing power of Hunas = a cause of great concern.
• Even though Skandagupta defeated them once but he did not take proper measures
to safeguard Gupta empire against future Huna threat.
• Not far sighted enough to completely eradicate Huna presence in North western
India or probably he didn’t have that much power.
• He just postponed the inevitability of future Huna attacks.
• His successors also did not formulate a definite strategy to tackle the Huna threat
• Eran inscription: Huna king Tormana won Eran and Gupta samanta of Eran now
accepted the sovereignty of Tormana.
• Tormana’s son Mihirkula attacked during the time of Narsimhagupta baladitya.
• Xuan Zang: Mihirkula was defeated but even then Narsimhagupta freed him.
• Such grave lack of foresight on part of Gupta king ultimately led to the fall of
Guptas at the hands of Hunas.
• Eran inscription of Bhanugupta: Goparaja met his end fighting Hunas for
Bhanugupta.

67. Decline of Gupta empire
Weak &
incompet
ent
successors
Internal
rebellions
Powerful
contempo
raries:
Hereditar
y
successio
n of posts
Weak
economy
Feudalism
Huna
attack
Not one single cause: Various factors at play

68. Gupta dynasty : An Over view
• Less in extent than Mauryas but more enduring.
• Sway over whole of northern India.
• Imperial writ was obeyed from bay of Bengal to Arabian sea.
• Produced succession of able monarchs who were capable
administrators & successful generals.
• Identified as Golden age of Indian history on account of all round
development and prosperity.
• Significant advances in field of temple architecture, paintings, art,
Sanskrit literature, language, coins, Maths, Astronomy, Medicine