Gupta Period – The 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
Sri Gupta
- Founder of Gupta Dynasty.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Buddhagupta (467 – 476 CE)
- Followed Skandagupta, but internal revolts and external pressures undermined the Gupta Empire even more.
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.
