Samudragupta, ruler of the Gupta Empire (c.AD 335 – 380), and successor to Chandragupta I, is considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses that India ever produced, thus also known as the 'Napoleon of India'.
Samudragupta, ruler of the Gupta Empire (c.AD 335 - 380), and successor to Chandragupta I, is considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses that India ever produced, thus also known as the 'Napoleon of India'.
The beginning of Samudragupta's reign was marked by the defeat of his immediate neighbours, Achyuta, ruler of Ahichchhatra and Nagasena.
Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta I and though the exact date of his birth is not known, it seems he must have ascended the throne after the death of his father Chandragupta I in AD 335.
Samudragupta's daring adventure was his military expedition to the south along the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
Samudragupta's territories extended from the Himalayas in the north to the river Narbada in the south and from the Brahamaputra river in the east to the Yamuna river in the west.
In fact in one of his inscriptions, his successor Samudragupta proudly refers to himself as Lichchhavidauhitra (this refers to the fact that his mother was a Lichchhavi).
It is significant that Samudragupta would refer to his maternal lineage instead of the more common reference to paternal lineage.
There are also several coins issued by Samudragupta that commemorate the marriage of Chandragupta to Kumardevi, the Lichchhavi princess.
en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Chandragupta_I (195 words)
Samudragupta - Wikpedia(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-22)
Samudragupta is believed to have been his father's chosen successor even though he has several older brothers.
This inscription is also important because of the political geography of India that it indicates by naming the different kings and peoples who populated India in the first half of the fourth century AD The inscription states that its author is Harishena, who was an important officer of Samudragupta's court.
This structure constructed with the permission of Samudragupta was known as Mahabohi Sangharvama.
Samudragupta was succeeded by his elder son Ramagupta who was said to have been murdered by Chandragupta II, who did so owing to his brother Ramaguptas uncouth act of surrendering his queen Dhruvadevi to the Saka ruler who subdued him.
Gupta Empire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-22)
Chandragupta died in 335 and was succeeded by his son Samudragupta, a tireless conqueror.
He was a firm believer in Hinduism and is known to have worshipped Lord Vishnu.
Though no inscriptions or coins explains Ramagupta well, there are materials such as Natyadarpan, and the historical drama "Devichandraguptam" which described Rama Gupta as son and successor of Samudragupta.
Samudragupta enlarged the Gupta Kingdom by winning a series of battles till he was a master of northern India.
Samudragupta was a staunch Hindu and after all his military triumphs, he performed the Ashwamedha Yagna (Horse sacrifice ceremony) which is evident on some of his coins.
Samudragupta's son, Chandragupta II tried to be better than his father, and most historians agree, he was certainly successful.
This event was commemorated by issue of gold coins (Many numismatic scholars believe that the coins were issued by their son Samudragupta) showing the king and the queen, a unique event that was repeated only in the roman imperial coins.
Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta and succeeded him in 335 CE.
But, he was captured in a battle with Shaka Satrap and had to abdicate after his release.
It is certain now that Chandragupta was raised by his Licchavi connection from the rank of local chief to a dignity that justified him to assume the title Maharajadiraja.
