THE GUPTAS

THE AGE OF THE GUPTAS

• The fall of the Kushana empire towards the middle of AD 3rd century led to the establishment of the Empire of Guptas.
• Their period is generally regarded as the Golden Age Of Hinduism. Guptas belong to the Vaishya caste.
• Sri Gupta was the founder of the Gupta dynasty. Sri Gupta was followed by his son Ghatotkacha, who was followed by his son Chandragupta. Both use the simple title of Maharaja.

CHANDRAGUPTA 1(AD 319-335)

             CHANDRAGUPTA 1

• His matrimonial alliances and conquests greatly raised his dynasty's power and prestige.
• He married the Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi and issued Chandragupta 1st Kumara Devi type gold coins (Dinaras).
• Chandragupta 1 is also said to have started a new era-Gupta Era which began on 26th February AD 320, the coronation date of Chandragupta 1.

SAMUDRAGUPTA (AD 335-380)

           SAMUDRAGUPTA

• Son and Successor of Chandragupta 1.
• The long inscription in the pillar of Allahabad enumerated by his court poet Harisena informs about the people and the countries that were conquered by Samudragupta.

Virasen Was his  Commander-in-chief during the Southern campaign.  Vasubandhu, A famous Buddhist scholar, was his minister.  

CHANDRAGUPTA 2

                  CHANDRAGUPTA 2

• He killed the Saka ruler and his coward brother Ramgupta and married his wife, Dhruva Devi.
• He issued Silver coins and adopted the title Vikramaditya and Shakari in memory of his victory.
• The Court of  Chandragupta 2 at Ujjain was adorned by 9 scholars known as Navaratna, including Kalidasa and Amar Singh. Ujjain was made the second capital by Chandragupta 2.

 KUMAR GUPTA (AD 415-455)

               KUMAR GUPTA

• He is the founder of Nalanda University.
• He was the worshipper of Lord Kartikeya. In the last year of his reign, the empire was invaded by the Hunas. During the war with the Hunas, Kumaraguta died.

SKANDAGUPTA (AD 455-467)

                    

                      SKANDAGUPTA

• He repulsed the ferocious Hunas' attack twice. The heroic feat entitled him the title Vikramaditya Stone.
• The continuous attack of the Hunas weakened the Gupta economy and the empire's decline began soon after the death of Skandaguta.

Later Guptas (AD 467-540)

• Purugupta, Kumargupta 2, Buddhagupta, Narasimhagupta, and Kumargupta 3.