Chandragupta II

Chandragupta II, also named Vikramaditya or Chandragupta Vikramaditya, was the son of Samudragupta and Datta Devi. According to the historical records, Chandragupta II was a strong, vigorous ruler and well qualified to govern and extend the Gupta Empire. He ruled the Gupta Empire from 375 to 415 C.E. when the kingdom achieved its zenith, often known as the Golden Age of India. It is believed that Chandragupta II adopted the title ‘Vikramaditya’ based on some coins and a supia pillar inscription. 

Chandragupta II continued the expansion policy framed by his father, and by defeating the Western Kshatrapas, he extended the Gupta Empire from the Indus River in the west to Bengal in the east. In addition to this, the Gupta Empire was extended from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the Narmada River in the south. It was through conquests and marriage alliances that the Gupta dynasty reached its peak by expanding territories during the reign of Vikramaditya. He was married to Kubera Manga, a Naga princess, and they both had a daughter named Prabhavati. His daughter was married to Rudrasena II, a Vakataka prince. It was after the death of her husband that Prabhavati ruled the territory as regent to her minor sons. This helped Chandragupta II indirectly control the Vakataka kingdom.

Apart from military power, he also elevated art, philosophy, culture, religion, mathematics, and astronomy during his rule. Chandragupta II supported and practiced Buddhism.

Military Career of Chandragupta II

• According to the Udayagiri inscription of Virasena, the foreign minister of Vikramaditya, the king had a unique military career
• It states that Chandragupta II ‘bought the earth’ and paid for the same with his prowess, and also reduced the kings of other Empires to the status of enslaved people
• The Gupta Empire extended from the mouth of Indus and northern Pakistan in the west to the Bengal in the east and from the Himalayan terai area in the north to the Narmada River in the south during the reign of Chandragupta II
• According to the historical evidence, Chandragupta II achieved military success against the western Kshatraps who used to rule west-central India
• In addition to this, he defeated the alliance of enemies in the Vanga country and also defeated the Vahikas across the Sindhu river

The Famous Iron Pillar: Mahurali

• Close to the Qutub Minar stands one of the most curious structures of Delhi, an iron pillar, which bears an inscription declaring that the pillar was created by the artisans in the honor of Hindu God Vishnu and the memory of Chandragupta II back in the fourth century C.E
• The Mehrauli Iron pillar was first placed on the hill near Beas, and it was Radhakumud Mookerji, a king of Delhi, the Gupta Empire, who brought it to Delhi

This pillar credits Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) with the following:

• Conquest of the Vanga countries when he fought alone against the alliance of enemies
• Conquest of Valakas in a fight that continued across seven mouths of Sindhu
• Spread the fame of Chandragupta II to the southern seas
• By the prowess of his arms, he attained Ekadhirajjyam (United Kingdom)
• The Mehrauli Iron Pillar was established by him as Vishnupasa in honor of the Hindu God Vishnu

Administration

• A feudatory known from the Udayagiri inscription, Maharaja Sanakanika, records his construction of a Vaishnava temple
• A feudatory known from a Gaya inscription, Maharaja Trikamala engraved on Bodhisattva image

Here mentioned are ministers and officers of Chandragupta II:

• Vira-sena was the foreign minister
• Amrakardava was the military officer
• Shikhara-swami was the minister who authored the political treatise Kamandakiya Niti

9 Gems (Navratnas) of Chandragupta II

It is believed that Chandragupta II was deeply interested in the art and culture and Navratnas that adorned his court. Here is a brief description of 9 gems:

• Amarasimha: He was a Sanskrit lexicographer and a poet
• Dhanvantri: He was believed to be a great Physician who worked in the court of Chandragupta II
• Harisena: He is known to have composed the Allahabad pillar Inscription. In his old age, Harisena was in the court of Chandragupta II and described him as a Nobel king
• Kalidasa: Kalidasa is known to be an immortal poet and playwright of India
• Kahapanka: He was known to be an astrologer working in the court of Chandragupta II
• Sanku: He was in the field of architecture and contributed a lot to the beautiful structures during the Chandragupta II reign
• Varahamihira: he wrote several books, and three of the most important were: Brihat Samhita, Panchasiddhantika, and Brihat Jataka

Conclusion

Chandragupta II, titled Vikramaditya, is believed to be the greatest king of the Gupta Empire. Son of Samudragupta and Datta Devi, he ruled the Gupta Empire from 375 to 415 C.E. He was married to Kubera Manga, a Naga princess, and had a daughter named Prabhavati with her. In addition to the military power, art, philosophy, culture, religion, mathematics, and astronomy were also elevated by him during his rule. If you want to know about Chandragupta II, then consider going through the above-mentioned article, as it provides a detailed guide to the great ruler.

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