Question

Explain why Chandragupta II is called as Vikramaditya. (50-100 words)

Answer 1

Answer:

Chandragupta continued the expansionist policy of his father Samudragupta: historical evidence suggests that he defeated the Western Kshatrapas, and extended the Gupta empire from the Indus River in the west to the Bengal region in the east, and from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the Narmada River in the south. His daughter Prabhavatigupta was a queen of the southern Vakataka kingdom, and he may have had influence in the Vakataka territory during her regency.

The Gupta empire reached its zenith during the rule of Chandragupta. Chinese pilgrim Faxian, who visited India during his reign, suggests that he ruled over a peaceful and prosperous kingdom. The legendary figure of Vikramaditya is probably based on Chandragupta II (among other kings), and the noted Sanskrit poet Kalidasa may have been his court poet

Answer 2

Chandragupta II, also known by his title Vikramaditya, was one of the most powerful emperors of the Gupta Empire in northern India.

Samudragupta’s son Chandra Gupta II, also known as Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya, proved to be the greatest among the Gupta kings. During his long reign of 40 years India enjoyed the most prosperous period and came to be known as the Golden Age.

He became king of India in about 380 AD and assumed his grandfather’s name and is, therefore, known as Chandra Gupta II. Vikramaditya was his another title which means the “Sun of Prowess.” He further extended the boundaries of his empire and annexed the territories of Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra where ruled Great Satrapa Chieftains.

Till then they had remained outside the boundaries of Samudra Gupta’s kingdom. These regions were exceptionally wealthy and fertile. Consequently under Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya, India became a very rich, powerful and prosperous country.