The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire . It was founded by “Srigupta”

Srigupta

• Founder of Gupta dynasty
• Gave himself title of “Maharaja”

Ghatotkacha Gupta

• Gave himself title of “Maharaja”

Chandragupta – 1

• He is called “real founder of Gupta dynasty”
• He started gupta era in 319 AD
• His capital was “Patliputra”
• His wife was “Kumara Devi”
• He started king & queen type of gold coins
• He started “Dinar coins” (gold coins)

Samudra Gupta –

• His titles were “Kaviraj”, “Dharnibandha”, “Apratiratha”, “Sarvarajochchetta”, “Ashvamedhaprakram”
• He called himself “Lichchhavi Duhitra”
• His wife was “Dutta Devi”
• He is known as the “Nepolean of India”
• He was the first Gupta ruler who invaded in South India
• He was the first Gupta ruler who performed Ashwamedha Sacrifice
• “Harisena” was his court scholar
• His contemporary was “Megha Varman”, he was king of Cylon (Sri Lanka)

NOTE – “V.A Samith” called him the Napolean of India

NOTE – Harisena was the composer of “Prayaga Prashasti”

NOTE – Megha Varman built the “Monastery in Gaya”

Policies of Samudragupta –

• Foreign policy – “Atmanivedenakanyopayanagarusmandaka”
• North India policy – “Annexation/victory”
• South India policy – “Grahnamokshanugraha”

Dinar coins of Samudragupta –

• Garuna type
• Ahwamedha type
• Veena vandan
• Vyagraha type
• Dhanurdhari

Ram Gupta –

• Also known as “Chandra Gupta II”
• His titles were “Devraj”, “Devgupta” & “Chandra”
• His capital was “Patliputra”
• He started silver coins “Rupyaka”
• His wives were “Dhura Devi” & “Kubernaga”
• He defeated Shaka’s chief “Rudrasen – III” & adopted the title of “Vikramaditya”
• His daughter was “Prabhavati Devi”, she was married to “Rudrasen – II” of Vaktaka dynasty

NOTE – His titles are found in the “Iron pillar” of “Qutub complex” Delhi

NOTE – “Fa – Hien”, from China came into his court

9 jewels of Chandra Gupta – II

1. Kalidas (Shakespeare of India)
2. Dhanvantari
3. Varahmihir
4. Vetalbhatta
5. Vararuchi
6. Amar singh
7. Ghatkarpar
8. Kshaparka
9. Shanku

Books of Kalidas –

1. Abhigyanshkuntalam
2. Malvikagnimitram
3. Vikarmourvashiyam
4. Raghu Vansham
5. Kumar Sambhav
6. Meghadoot
7. Ritusamhar

Other Scholars –

1. Aryabhatta
2. Vishnu Sharma

NOTE – Aryabhatta wrote 2 books “Aryabhattiyam” & “Surya Siddhantikam”

NOTE – Vishnu Sharma wrote “Panchtantra”

Dinar coins of Chandra Gupta – II

• Chakra Vikram type
• Ashvarohi type
• Garuna type
• Chhatrodhary type

Kumar Gupta – I

• His titles were “Mahendraditya”, “Mahendrachandra” & “Ashwamedha Mahendra”
• He was worshiper of “Kartikey”
• He built “Nalnanda university”
• He performed Ashwamedha sacrifice

Dinar coins of Kumar Gupta- I –

1. Khadagdhari type
2. Ashwamedha type
3. Gajarohi type
4. Kartikey type
5. Khang – Nihanta type

Skand Gupta –

• His titles were “Karmaditya” & “Vikramaditya”
• He rebuilted “Sudarshan lake”

NOTE – “Hunas invasion” was during his time

NOTE – “Torman” was leader of Hunas

NOTE – “Kumar Gupta –III”/ “Vishnu Gupta” was last ruler of Gupta dynasty

Facts of Gupta Dynasty –

• 1^st evidence of Sati pratha is found in “Eran inscription (Sagar, MP)
• It is called “Golden age of Art & culture”
• Sanskrit was their official language
• “Dinar” & “Rupyaka” were their currencies
• “Dashavatar temple” (lord Vishnu) in Devgarh Jhansi is considered as their greatest architecture

History Notes For UPSC & Govt. Exams – ReetPrep