Gupta Dynasty

Chandragupta-
I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta-II, Kumaragupta-I and
Skandagupta.
Gupta Dynasty (320-550 A.D.)
Gupta period is regarded as the golden era in the history of
India. Gupta dynasty existed from 320 to 550 AD and covered
much of the Indian Subcontinent. Gupta dynasty was founded
by Sri Gupta . He was succeeded by his son Ghatotkacha.
Famous rulers of Gupta dynasty were Chandragupta-I,
Samudragupta, Chandragupta-II and Kumaragupta-I . Gupta
dynasty was marked by extensive inventions and discoveries in
science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic,
mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy. The Gupta
period produced great scholars such as Kalidasa, Aryabhatta,
Varahamihira, Vishnu Sharma and Vatsyayana who made great
advancements in many academic fields. Science and political
administration reached new heights during the Gupta era. Later
rulers of Gupta dynasty were ultimately ousted by Vardhana
ruler Harsha Vardhana, who established an empire in the first
half of the 7th century.
Chandragupta I (319-335 A.D.)
1. Chandragupta-I was the son of Ghatotkacha.
2. Chandragupta-I enhanced his power by marrying Kumara
Devi, a Lichchhavi princess—the main power in Magadha.
3. Chandragupta-I was the real founder of Gupta dynasty. He
expanded his kingdom by conquering much of Magadha,
Prayaga and Saketa.
4. He assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja .
5. Patliputra was the capital of Gupta dynasty.
Samudragupta (335-380 A.D.)
1. Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta-I.
2. The Gupta dynasty was enlarged enormously by
Samudragupta.
3. Due to his bravery and generalship, the historian V. A. Smith
quoted him as Napoleon of India.
4. On some coins of Gupta era Samudragupta was shown as
playing the musical instrument Veena.
5. Important scholars in the court of Samudragupta were
Harishena, Vasubandhu and Asanga .
6. The Prayag Prashasti (also known as Allahbad pillar
inscription ) composed in Sanskrit by Harisena gave information
about Samudragupta's achievment.
7. Samudragupta was a great patron of art and music. He
assumed the title of Kaviraja .
8. Samudragupta was a firm believer in Hinduism and is known
to have worshipped Lord Vishnu.
9. Samudragupta allowed Sri Lanka's Buddhist king
Meghavarman to build a monastery at Bodh Gaya.
Chandragupta-II (380-413 A.D.)
1. Chandragupta-II was the son of Samudragupta.
2. After Samudragupta's death, Ramagupta succeeded him but
his elder brother Chandragupta-II killed him and married his
wife Dhruvadevi.
3. Chandragupta-II defeated Rudrasimha III, the Saka king and
annexed his kingdom and assumed the title of Vikramaditya.
4. Chandragupta-II was the first ruler to issue silver coins. He
also issued copper coins.
5. Patliputra continued to be the capital of Gupta dynasty.
Ujjain was made second capital of Gupta dynasty.
6. Court of Chandragupta-II was adorned by nine gems
(navratnas) including Kalidasa, Amarsimha, Varahmihira,
Dhanvantri, etc.
7. Chinese traveller Fa-hein came during the reign of
Chandragupta-II.
Kumaragupta-I (413-455 A.D.)
1. Kumaragupta-I was the son of Chandragupta-II. He
succeeded Chandragupta-II.
2. Kumaragupta-I adopted the title of Mahendraditya .
3. During the later year of his reign the Gupta Empire was
threatened by the rebellion of Pushyamitras of central India and
invasion of the Hunas. However, Kumaragupta-I was successful
in defeating both threats and performed Ashvamedha (horse
sacrifice) to celebrate his victory.
4. Kumaragupta-I issued new coins with images of Lord
Kartikeya.
5. Kumaragupta-I founded the Nalanda university.
6. Kumaragupta-I was followed by his son Skandagupta.
Skandagupta faced the Hunas effectively.
7. The continuous attacks of the Hunas weakened the Gupta
dynasty. Skandagupta died in 467 A.D. After his death, the
Gupta dynasty began to decline.
Objective Questions on Gupta Dynasty and its rulers-
Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta-II, Kumaragupta-I
and Skandagupta.:
1. Who was the founder of Gupta dynasty?
(a) Skandagupta
(b) Chandragupta-II
(c) Sri Gupta
(d) Chandragupta-I
2. Samudragupta ruled for the period?
(a) 335-380 A.D.
(b) 380-413 A.D.
(c) 413-455 A.D.
(d) 319-335 A.D.
3. Ruler of the Gupta dynasty who was shown on some coins
playing the musical instrument 'Veena'?
(a) Chandragupta-I
(b) Skandagupta
(c) Kumaragupta-I
(d) Samudragupta
4. Ruler of the Gupta dynasty who assumed the title of
'Mahendraditya'?
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Kumaragupta-I
(c) Chandragupta-I
(d) Chandragupta-II
5. Who composed Prayag Prashasti also known as Allahbad
pillar inscription?
(a) Ravikirthi
(b) Veerasena
(c) Aswaghosa
(d) Harisena
6. Which of the following was the capital of Gupta dynasty?
(a) Ujjain
(b) Patliputra
(c) Vaishali
(d) Vallabhi
7. Ruler of the Gupta dynasty who founded the Nalanda
university?
(a) Kumaragupta-I
(b) Chandragupta-II
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Chandragupta-I
8. During the reign of which Gupta ruler Ujjain was made the
second capital of Gupta dynasty?
(a) Kumaragupta-I
(b) Chandragupta-II
(c) Chandragupta-I
(d) Skandagupta
9. Ruler of the Gupta dynasty who took the title of 'Kaviraja'?
(a) Skandagupta
(b) Kumaragupta-I
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Chandragupta-II
10. Which ruler of Gupta dynasty was also known as 'Napoleon
of India'?
(a) Chandragupta-II
(b) Kumaragupta-I
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Skandagupta
11. Match the following?
Ruler of Gupta Dynasty
Related details
A. Chandragupta-I
1. Harisena
B. Chandragupta-II
2. Kumara Devi
C. Samudragupta
3. Issued coins with images of Lord Kartikeya
D. Kumaragupta-I
4. Fa-hein
(a) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
(b) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
(c) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
(d) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
Answers - 1(c), 2(a), 3(d), 4(b), 5(d), 6(b), 7(a), 8(b), 9(c), 10(c)
and 11(d).