The Gupta Empire

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The Gupta Empire-About 500 years after the fall of the Mauryan Empire, a new dynasty rose to power

in the Ganga valley- the imperial Guptas. For about two centuries, the Guptas

brought unity to very large portion of India, although they could never control

either the north-west or the far south.

We learn from Fa Hien, a Chinese pilgrim, that the Gupta Empire was well governed

and prosperous. This gave a spur to trade, and the development of commerce in turn

encouraged the growth of knowledge, literature and art. It is because of the many- sided

progress made during this period that some historians call it the 'Golden Age of Indian

History' or the 'Classical Age of Indian Culture'.

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Sources

The pillar inscriptions provide us with valuable information mainly about King Samudragupta's conquests. There are other inscriptions written on different materials like copper, stone and clay tablets.

Coins and literary works also throw light upon the reign of Samudragupta and other rulers of this time.

Accounts of foreign travellers who visited the courts of the Gupta rulers.

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Political History

Chandragupta1

Gupta Dynasty was founded by Chandragupta 1. Belonging to a Vaishya family; he succeeded his father and ruled over a small area in Magadha. He further raised the power and prestige of his family by marrying Kumaradevi, a Lichchavi princess of Vaishali, which helped in extending his influence over the greater part of Bihar, a portion of UP and Bengal.

Chandragupta was known as 'Maharajadhiraja' which meant 'The King of the Kings'. He died in AD 335 and was succeeded by his illustrious son Samudragupta, who is regarded as the greatest ruler of the Gupta Dynasty.

Samudragupta

Samudragupta united his empire politically through direct conquests and annual tributes. We know about his conquests from the Allahabad Pillar inscription which was written by his poet, Harisena.

Chandragupta 2 (Vikramaditya)

Chandragupta succeeded his father Samudragupta to the throne in AD 375. He is also known as Vikramaditya-which means 'as powerful as the sun'.

Kumaragupta and Skandagupta

Chandragupta 2's son Kumaragupta succeeded him. The Gupta Empire had reached its zenith by this time. His son, Skandagupta succeded him