Gupta Empire

In Ancient India, the Gupta Dynasty ruled the mid-to-late 3rd century (approximately) to 543 AD. Founded by Sri Gupta, the dynasty rose to fame with rulers like Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta, etc.

Origin of Gupta Empire

Gupta Empire - NCERT Notes on Gupta Empire| Gupta Empire's Territorial Extent

The decline of the Mauryan empire resulted in the rise of two major political powers – the Kushanas and the Satavahanas in the north and south respectively. Both these empires brought political unity and economic growth in their respective areas. The Kushan reign in north India came to an end around c.230 CE and then a good part of central India came under the domain of the Murundas (possible kinsmen of the Kushanas).

The Murundas ruled for only 25 – 30 years. Around the last decade of the 3rd century CE (about  275 CE), the dynasty of the Guptas came to power. The Gupta empire established its control over a good part of the former dominions of both the Kushanas and the Satavahanas. The Guptas (possibly Vaishyas) kept northern India politically united for more than a century (335 CE- 455 CE).

  • The Guptas are believed to have been feudatories of the Kushanas.
  • The original kingdom of the Guptas comprised Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with their centre of power at Prayag (U.P).
  • The Guptas set up their rule over the fertile plains of the Madhyadesha, also known as Anuganga (the middle Gangetic basin), Saketa (U.P Ayodhya), Prayag (U.P) and Magadha (mostly Bihar).
  • The Guptas made good use of the iron ore reserves in central India and south Bihar and also took advantage of their proximity to the areas in north India which carried on silk trade with the Byzantine empire (eastern Roman empire).
  • The Gupta period in ancient India is referred to as the “Golden Age” because of the numerous achievements in the field of arts, literature, science and technology. It also brought about the political unification of the subcontinent.

Gupta Dynasty Kings : Facts about Gupta Kings

Sri Gupta

  • Founder of Gupta Dynasty
  • Reign from 240 CE to 280 CE
  • Used the title of ‘Maharaja‘

Ghatotkacha

  • Son of Sri Gupta
  • Took the title of ‘Maharaja‘

Chandragupta I

  • Reigned from 319 CE to 335/336 CE
  • Started the Gupta Era
  • He assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja‘
  • Married Lichchavi princess Kumaradevi

Samudragupta

  • Reigned from 335/336 CE to 375 CE
  • Called ‘Napolean of India’ by V.A. Smith (Irish Indologist and Art Historian)
  • His campaigns are mentioned in the Eran inscription (Madhya Pradesh)

Chandragupta II

  • Reigned from 376-413/415 CE
  • Navratnas (9 Gems in his Court)
  • Took the title ‘Vikramaditya’

Kumaragupta I

  • Reigned from 415 CE to 455 CE
  • Founded Nalanda University
  • He was also called Shakraditya

Skandagupta

  • Reigned from 455 AD – 467 AD
  • Was a ‘Vaishnavite‘
  • Son of Kumaragupta
  • Repulsed an attack by the Hunas but this strained his empire’s coffers

Vishnugupta

  • Last known ruler of the Gupta Dynasty (540 AD – 550 AD)