Gupta Period : Important Rulers

Gupta Period (Golden Age)

• The Gupta Empire was one of the most influential empires in ancient India, and it played a crucial role in shaping the country’s history. The Gupta rulers, who are often referred to as the Gupta dynasty, ruled from around 240 to 550 CE.

Gupta Rulers

1. Sri Gupta
2. • Founder of Gupta Dynasty.
3. Chandragupta I (319 – 350 CE)
   • Chandragupta I is considered the actual founder of the Gupta Dynasty.
   • He assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja’.
   • He married Kumaradevi, a Lichchhavi princess, which helped in establishing a matrimonial alliance between the Guptas and the Lichchhavis.
4. Samudragupta (335-375 CE)
   • Samudragupta is often regarded as one of the greatest Gupta rulers.
   • He built the empire by military conquests and is remembered for his many military expeditions.
   • He acquired the moniker “Kaviraja” (King of Poets) in recognition of his support for education and the arts.
5. Chandragupta II (375 and 415 CE)
   • Also known as Chandragupta Vikramaditya, he built on his father Samudragupta’s military victories.
   • His reign is commonly referred to as the “Golden Age of the Gupta Empire.”
   • He is renowned for promoting art, literature, and science, and his court was graced by scholars such as Kalidasa.
6. Kumaragupta I (415 and 455 CE)
   • Kumaragupta I, the son of Chandragupta II, endured external invasions as well as domestic turmoil during his reign.
   • Despite these hurdles, he was able to maintain the Gupta Empire’s territorial integrity.
7. Skandagupta (455 – 467 CE)
   • Skandagupta, Kumaragupta I’s son, was subjected to Hun invasions during his reign.
   • He successfully repulsed Hun attacks although the empire began to dwindle under his reign.
8. Buddhagupta (467 – 476 CE)
   • Followed Skandagupta, but internal revolts and external pressures undermined the Gupta Empire even more.
9. Vishnugupta (476-495 CE)
   • Vishnugupta, the final known emperor of the Gupta dynasty, battled to keep the empire together.
   • His reign heralded the end of Gupta might, and the Gupta Empire progressively crumbled afterward.