Samudragupta - was one of the greatest emperors of Gupta Empire as well as whole ancient India. The primary, detailed and authentic record of his rule is preserved in the Prayaga Prasasti, also known as the Allahabad Pillar inscripition. It was composed by his court poet and minister of peace and war Harisen partly in verse and partly in prose. The inscription is engraved on the pillor of emperor Ashoka.
Samudragupta was the able son of King Chandragupta. Samudragupta officially ascended the throne in 335 AD (335 – 380 AD). He was great conqueror and military genius. He not only eradicated all threats to his crown but also expanded Gupta empire's boundaries. First of all Samudragupta defeated the rulers's of Gnaga- Yamuna doab, a region largely identical with the Aryavarata of ancient India. He also vanquished the rulers of Bengal. He defeated nine Kings of North India and annexed their territories in Gupta empire. Altogether twelve kings of South were brought under the political control of Samudragupta as per the information of Prasasti.
The notable vanquished rulers included Mahendra of Koshala, Vyaghraja of Mahakantra, Mahendragiri of Pishatpura, Hastivarman of Vengi, Ugrasena of Palakka, Pallava king, etc. In the case of south India campaign, Samudragupta did not annex rheir territory as restored them as Kings as they accepted his authority and suzerainty. Samudragupta also brought the kingdoms between the districts of Ghazipur in modern day of Uttar Pradesh and Jabalpur of Central India under his authority and his control.
In the brief, Samudragupta was great military genius. He assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja, and Vikramanka which shows his unchallenged position an an emperor in India. He was also a good administrator. He appointed many learned men to his court like Harisena, and managed his administration successfully.
Samudragupta established his authority over almost entire India and conquered a large protion in all directions. He remained unbeaten throughout his life.
Dr. V. A. Smith described him as an
Indian Napolean. But in my opinion he was superior to Napolean as Samudragupta never faced defeat in any battle while Napolean did,
Samudragupta also performed
Ashvamedha Yajna (horse- sacrifice ritual) to establish his authority. On this occasion he issued gold coins depicting the sacrificial horse on one side. He was Vaishnavite.
He was good at music also. He has been depicted playing Veena (Lute) in his coins. He is called Kaviraja, (king of poets) in Prayaga Prasasti.
According to Chinese writer Wang-Hiuen-Tse, Sri Lankan King Meghavarna sent embassy to emperor Samudraguptata to build a monastery and a guest house for Buddhist pilgrims at Bodh Gaya.
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