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Samudragupta facts for kids

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Samudragupta
Maharajadhiraja
SamudraguptaCoin.jpg
Coin of Samudragupta, with Garuda pillar, emblem of Gupta Empire. The name Gupta ashoka s.svgGupta ashoka mu.jpgGupta ashoka ddrr.jpg Sa-mu-dra in an early version of the Gupta Brahmi script, appears vertically under the left arm of the king.
Gupta Emperor
Reign c.335-375 CE
Predecessor Chandragupta I, possibly Kacha
Successor Chandragupta II, or possibly Ramagupta Pataliputra
Spouse Dattadevi
Issue Chandragupta II, and possibly Ramagupta
House Gupta dynasty
Father Chandragupta I
Mother Kumaradevi
Maharajadhiraja Sri Samudragupta inscription on the Allahabad pillar Samudragupta inscription
Inscription Gupta allahabad m.svgGupta allahabad haa.jpgGupta allahabad raa.jpgGupta allahabad j.svgGupta allahabad dhi.jpgGupta allahabad raa.jpgGupta allahabad j.svgGupta allahabad shrii.jpgGupta ashoka s.svgGupta allahabad mu.jpgGupta allahabad dr.jpgGupta allahabad gu.jpgGupta allahabad pt.jpg Mahārājadhirāja Shrī Samudragupta ("Great King of Kings, Lord Samudragupta") in the Gupta script, on the Allahabad pillar Samudragupta inscription.

Samudragupta (Gupta script: Gupta ashoka s.svgGupta allahabad mu.jpgGupta allahabad dr.jpgGupta allahabad gu.jpgGupta allahabad pt.jpg Sa-mu-dra-gu-pta, r. c. (350-375 CE) was a ruler of the Gupta Empire of Ancient India. As a son of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta I and the Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi, he greatly expanded his dynasty's political power.

The Allahabad Pillar inscription, a prashasti (eulogy) composed by his courtier Harishena, credits him with extensive military conquests. It suggests that he defeated several kings of northern India, and annexed their territories to his empire. He also marched along the south-eastern coast of India, advancing as far as the Pallava kingdom. In addition, he subjugated several frontier kingdoms and tribal oligarchies. His empire extended from Ravi River in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east, and from the Himalayan foothills in the north to central India in the south-west; several rulers along the south-eastern coast were his tributaries.

Samudragupta performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice to prove his imperial sovereignty, and according to his coins, remained undefeated. His gold coins and inscriptions suggest that he was an accomplished poet, and also played music. His expansionist policy was continued by his son Chandragupta II.

Images for kids

  • Allahabad stone pillar inscription of Samudragupta

    Text of the Allahabad stone pillar inscription of Samudragupta, in the Brahmi script.

  • Allahabad inscription of Samudragupta

    Translation of the Allahabad inscription of Samudragupta

  • Ashoka Pillar, Allahabad, 1870

    Samudragupta inscriptions on Allahabad pillar.

  • Eran inscription of Samudragupta

    Eran inscription of Samudragupta.

  • Samudragupta circa 335-380 CE

    A gold coin of Samudragupta

  • Chandragupta I or Samudragupta. Circa 320-335 or 335-380 AD

    Commemorative type of Chandragupta I: this coin is in the name of Chandragupta I, but since no other coin types of Chandragupta are known, this is thought to be a commemorative issue minted by his son Samudragupta.

  • Samudragupta circa 335-380 CE Ashvameda type

    Ashvamedha type coin

  • Samudragupta Circa 335-380 CE Lyrist type

    Lyrist type coin

See also

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