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A notable ruler of the Gupta empire, Samudragupta Maurya ruled ancient India during the Gupta era. Chandragupta I was Samudragupta’s father, and Queen Kumaradevi was his mother. The inscriptions on the Allahabad Pillar describe Samudragupta as a great warrior who substantially enhanced his dynasty’s political authority.
In this blog, we provide you with information about Samudra Gupta (335/336-375 CE) of the Gupta Dynasty which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.
This Blog Includes:
Who is Samudragupta Maurya
The second emperor of the Gupta dynasty was Samudragupta (reigned 350-375). His reign marked the beginning of India’s Golden Age as a kind imperial conqueror and patron of arts and letters.
Why Samudragupta was called Napoleon of India
His conquests earned him the title of “Napoleon of India,” but he was also a man of many talents who laid the groundwork for the empire. The Gupta Empire rose as a result of his military conquests and policies.
If you have wondered how was Samudragupta Maurya a bold and great conqueror, It is important to know that Samudragupta was a bold and great conqueror due to his defeat of all the rulers of his time. He expanded his empire from the Brahmaputra in the east to Yamuna and Chambal in the west to the Himalayas in the north to the Narmada in the south. His bravery and generalship earned him the title ‘Napoleon of India’.
Who wrote Samudragupta’s Prashasti?
Harishena composed Samudragupta’s Prashasti or Allahabad pillar Inscription. During the reign of King Samudragupta, he was a court poet. A few things you should know about Prayag Prashati:
- Asoka erected the Pillar six centuries before Samudragupta.
- The Inscription describes the conquests of Samudra Gupta and the boundaries of the Gupta Empire as part of its eulogy for Samudra Gupta.
- This inscription mentions Samudra Gupta’s victory over nine northern kings and twelve southern kings, resulting in the subjugation of all Atavika states.
Notable Achievements
These Notable Achievements of Samudragupta given in pointers can be helpful in answering questions related to the Gupta Dynasty or Samudragupta in the Ancient History Section of UPSC Exam.
Coins by Samudragupta
Coins by Samudragupta provide a glimpse into his life and works. A total of six different types of gold coins were minted by Samudragupta:
- Dhanurdhar type coins,
- Ashwamedha type coins
- Vyaghranihanta type coins
- Parshuram type coins
- Vinavadan type coins
Political Expansion
- The empire he ruled was vast, and he ruled directly over it. It was a truly magnificent victory for Samudragupta, who was able to achieve complete success.
- The boundaries of his kingdom stretched from the Jamuna and Chambal rivers in the west to the Brahmaputra in Assam in the east and to the Himalayan foothills on the north bank of the Narmada river in the south.
- Even though he was a fervent Brahman, he had an appreciation for other religions. Ceylon’s Buddhist king, Megavarna, built a Buddhist monastery with his approval.
FAQs
His father was Chandragupta I according to the Allahabad Pillar inscription and the Eran stone inscription of Samudragupta state. It was also selected by his father who selected him as the next king.
A ruler of the Gupta Empire, Samudragupta was responsible for incorporating over 20 kingdoms into his realm and expanding the empire from the Himalayas to the Narmada River in central India and from the Brahmaputra River to the Yamuna River.
As the “Indian Napoleon,” Samudragupta is well remembered for his numerous military victories.
That’s all about the Samudragupta! If you want to know more about topics like this, then visit our general knowledge page! Alternatively, you can also read our blog on general knowledge for competitive exams!
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