Maharajadhiraja of Gupta Empire
Imperial
Imperial flag (Parcham) of 1857
Royal flag of Guptas
Last to reign
Vishnugupta
540 CE – 550 CE
Details
StyleHis Imperial Majesty
First monarchChandragupta I (as the successor to the Emperor of Magadha)
Last monarchVishnugupta
Formation319 CE 1703–1704 years ago
Abolition550 CE 1472–1473 years ago
Residence
AppointerHereditary
Pretender(s)Later Gupta dynasty

The Gupta Empire (c. 319–550 CE) was an classical Indian Hindu empire.[1] The empire was founded by Sri Gupta in late 3rd century CE, but Chandragupta I is credited as real founder of dynasty. The empire was lasted until 550 CE. The factors for the downfall of the empire were Hunnic invasions, dynastic dissensions, taxes, internal rebellions and decentralization.[2]

The Gupta Empire was the pan-Indian empire. It covered most of the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II and Skandagupta were the most powerful emperors of Gupta Empire.[3]

Gupta Empire at its greatest expansion, c. 400 CE

Family tree

List of rulers

RulerReign (CE)Notes
Sri-Gupta Ic. late 3rd century CEFounder of the dynasty.
Ghatotkacha280/290–319 CE
Chandra-Gupta I319–335 CEHis title Maharajadhiraja ("king of great kings") suggests that he was the first emperor of the dynasty. It is not certain how he turned his small ancestral kingdom into an empire, although a widely accepted theory among modern historians is that his marriage to the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi helped him extend his political power.
Samudra-Gupta335–375 CEDefeated 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.
Kachamid 4th century CERival brother/king, possibly an usurper, there are coins who attest him as ruler; possibly identical with Samudra-Gupta.
Rama-Gupta
Chandra-Gupta II Vikramaditya375–415 CEContinued 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.
Kumara-Gupta I415–455 CEHe seems to have maintained control of his inherited territory, which extended from Gujarat in the west to Bengal region in the east.
Skanda-Gupta455–467 CEIt is stated that he restored the fallen fortunes of the Gupta family, which has led to suggestions that during his predecessor's last years, the Empire may have suffered reverses, possibly against the Pushyamitras or the Hunas. He is generally considered the last of the great Gupta Emperors.
Puru-Gupta467–473 CE
Kumara-Gupta II Kramaditya473–476 CE
Buddha-Gupta476–495 CEHe had close ties with the rulers of Kannauj and together they sought to run the Alchon Huns (Hunas) out of the fertile plains of Northern India.
Narasimha-Gupta Baladitya495–530 CE
Kumara-Gupta III530–540 CE
Vishnu-Gupta Candraditya540–550 CE

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jha, D.N. (2002). Ancient India in Historical Outline. Delhi: Manohar Publishers and Distributors. pp. 149–73. ISBN 978-81-7304-285-0.
  2. ↑ Raghu Vamsa v 4.60–75
  3. ↑ N. Jayapalan, History of India, Vol. I, (Atlantic Publishers, 2001), 130.
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