Samudragupta

Samudragupta (c. 335–380 CE) was a Gupta emperor who expanded the Gupta Empire and established the dynasty’s prominence in classical Indian history. He was the son of Chandragupta I and ruled from the royal capital at Pataliputra (modern Patna). His reign is often regarded as a high point in the political and cultural development of northern and central India during the early centuries of the common era.

Our main sources for his reign come from the Allahabad Pillar inscription, authored under his patronage. The inscription outlines a sequence of military campaigns and diplomatic achievements, describing victories over numerous rival kings and the submission of many rulers who accepted his overlordship. It portrays Samudragupta as a conqueror who maintained order and protection for his subjects, and as a king who supported Brahmins and public rites. The text also hints at his influence extending into various regions beyond the core Gangetic plain.

Administratively, Samudragupta is credited with sustaining a large and organized state apparatus, including a standing army and a system of governance that allowed for the proliferation of trade, urban life, and cultural activity. The era is remembered for its patronage of arts, literature, and religion, and it produced significant coinage and inscriptions that reflect a sophisticated economy and court culture.

Samudragupta was succeeded by his son Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya). His reign is widely seen as a formative period in the Gupta legacy, laying the groundwork for continued cultural and intellectual achievements that flourished under subsequent rulers.