The Gupta Empire- Samudragupta

Samudragupta

Samudragupta was one of the greatest warriors in Indian history, known as the “Napoleon of India” because of the wars he waged. He was the son of Gupta emperor Chandragupta I and the Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi, and he considerably increased the political authority of his dynasty. His fragmentary Eran stone inscription states that his father selected him as the successor because of his “devotion, righteous conduct, and valor”.

How do we know about Samudragupta?

Both archaeological and literary sources provide information about the Gupta period. We know about Samudragupta thanks to a large inscription written by Harisena, his court poet. This is inscribed on the Ashokan pillar at Allahabad. This inscription is a type known as prashasti, which is a Sanskrit word that means “in praise of.”

Samudragupta Napoleon of India

The Napoleon of India was Samudragupta (335-375 AD), a member of the Gupta dynasty. His enormous military triumphs are described in the ‘Prayag Prashasti’ written by his courtier and poet Harisena, who also describes him as a hero of a hundred fights, according to historian A V Smith.

Samudragupta the musical king

Samudragupta was a skilled ‘Veena’ player who took the name Kaviraj (King of poets). He was a great patron of art and literature as well as a formidable warrior.

Coins of Samudragupta

The following types of Samudragupta’s coins, inscribed with Sanskrit language legends, have been discovered –

Standard coin

On this coin, the Gupta dynasty’s Emperor Samudragupta (335/350 – 370/380 CE) wears a Scythian-style cloak, breeches, and cap, as well as an Indian-style necklace and earrings. He has a halo around his head. The standard of the coin depicts a garuda (an Indian legendary bird) on top, which is the symbol of the Gupta empire.

Samudra is the emperor’s name written vertically beneath his arm. On the obverse side, the inscription Samara-shata-vitata-vijayo jita-aripuranto-divam-jayati appears, which means “The conqueror of his opponents’ unconquered fortresses, whose victory was extended across hundreds of battles, conquers heaven.” The Gupta dynasty was the first to issue this type of coin.

Archer type

Although the Archer type became the most popular Gupta currency type, Samudragupta coins are extremely rare. With a substantial portion of the obverse legend visible, this is a nice example. The obverse legend reads: Apratiratha vijitya kshitim sucharitair (or avnipatir) divam Jayati, and the reverse legend reads: Apratiratha vijitya kshitim sucharitair (or avnipatir) divam Jayati. “Unopposed by enemy chariots, he conquers the earth, and by his good actions, he conquers heaven.”

Battle-axe type

This coin depicts a king standing to the left, wearing a close-fitting cap, tailed coat and trousers, and a sword hanging on his left side; the king holds a Battle Axe (Parashu) in his left hand, right hand resting on waist; dwarf attendant (Vamana) at left, facing right and holding crescent-topped standard; brahmi legend below the left hand of the king “samudra”; 

The legend goes ‘Kritanta-parshur-jayatyajitarajajetaji-tah’ which means ‘Kritanta-parshur-jayatyajitarajajetaji-tah’ means ‘Kritanta-par “The unconquered conqueror of unconquered kings is victorious, wielding the axe of Kritanta (the deity of death)” .

Tiger-slayer

The king is seen wearing a turban and waistcloth and stomping a tiger on this coin.

Vaghra-prakramah is a legend. “Tiger-like prowess” is a phrase that can be translated as “Having the prowess of a tiger”

Lyrist type

Samudragupta is seen wearing a waistcoat and seated cross-legged on a couch, playing the veena on his knees.

The image of King Samudragupta holding such an instrument on his gold coins attests to the instrument’s popularity, as well as the king’s interest in music and the arts.

Kingdoms conquered by Samudragupta – 

In the Vindhya area, Samudragupta conquered the forest kingdoms of Jabalpur, Reva, Nagpur, and Bundelkhand (central India).

Samudragupta nicknames

King of poets

King Samudragupta enjoyed playing the flute and writing poetry. Not only did he write many poems himself, but he also patronized poets. He was dubbed Kaviraj, or King of Poets, as a result of these.

Uprooter of kings

The basis for this claim is an appellation for Kacha in his coins that means “uprooter of all rulers,” which was only used for Samudragupta because no other Gupta emperor had ever accomplished such wide conquests.

Conclusion

Due to events such as severe territory and imperial power losses caused by previous feudatories, as well as the Huna peoples’ (Kidarites and Alcon Huns) invasion from Central Asia, the empire eventually fell apart. When the Gupta Empire fell apart in the sixth century, India was once again ruled by a swarm of provincial kingdoms.