Question

Gupta Empire greatly expanded during
the reign of Samudragupta. Do you
agree? Give reasons.10 marks​

Answer 1

Answer:

Samudragupta (Gupta script: Gupta ashoka s.svgGupta allahabad mu.jpgGupta allahabad dr.jpgGupta allahabad gu.jpgGupta allahabad pt.jpg Sa-mu-dra-gu-pta, r. c. (350-375 CE) was a ruler of the Gupta Empire of Ancient India. As a son of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta I and the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, he greatly expanded his dynasty's political power.

Coin of Samudragupta, with Garuda pillar, emblem of Gupta Empire. The name Gupta ashoka s.svgGupta ashoka mu.jpgGupta ashoka ddrr.jpg Sa-mu-dra in an early version of the Gupta Brahmi script, appears vertically under the left arm of the king.[1]

Gupta Emperor

Reign

c.350-375 CE

Predecessor

Chandragupta I, possibly Kacha

Successor

Chandragupta II, or possibly Ramagupta

Born

335 CE , Indraprastha

Died

375 CE (aged 40), Pataliputra

Spouse

Dattadevi

Issue

Chandragupta II, and possibly Ramagupta

House

Gupta dynasty

Father

Chandragupta I

Mother

Kumaradevi

Inscription Gupta allahabad m.svgGupta allahabad haa.jpgGupta allahabad raa.jpgGupta allahabad j.svgGupta allahabad dhi.jpgGupta allahabad raa.jpgGupta allahabad j.svgGupta allahabad shrii.jpgGupta ashoka s.svgGupta allahabad mu.jpgGupta allahabad dr.jpgGupta allahabad gu.jpgGupta allahabad pt.jpg Mahārājadhirāja Shrī Samudragupta ("Great King of Kings, Lord Samudragupta") in the Gupta script, on the Allahabad pillar Samudragupta inscription.[2]

The Allahabad Pillar inscription, a prashasti (eulogy) composed by his courtier Harishena, credits him with extensive military conquests. It suggests that he defeated several kings of northern India, and annexed their territories to his empire. He also marched along the south-eastern coast of India, advancing as far as the Pallava kingdom. In addition, he subjugated several frontier kingdoms and tribal oligarchies. His empire extended from Ravi River in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east, and from the Himalayan foothills in the north to central India in the south-west; several rulers along the south-eastern coast were his tributaries.

Samudragupta performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice to prove his imperial sovereignty, and according to his coins, remained undefeated. His gold coins and inscriptions suggest that he was an accomplished poet, and also played music. His expansionist policy was continued by his son Chandragupta II.