Samudragupta (AD 335-380)

  • Son and successor of Chandragupta I.
  • He was a great conqueror.
  • The long inscription in the pillar of Allahabad ( Prayag Prasati) enumerated by his court poet Harisena information about the; people and the countries that were conquered by Samudragupta. Because of his bravary and generalship, he is called as the Napoleon of India by VA Smith.
  • Virasen was his Commander- in- Chief during Southern campaign. Vasubandhu, a famous Buddhist scholar, was his minister. Samudragupta's arm reached as far as Kanchi, Tamil Nadu, where the Pallavas were compelled to recognize his suzerainty.
  • His authority over Java, Sumatra and Malaya Island proves that he maintained a strong navy.
  • Samudragupta is said to have composed numerous poems of high merits. Some of his coins represent him playing Veena. He performed Aswamedha Sacrifices.
  • Allahabad pillar inscription mention that title Dharma Prachar Bandhu i.e., he was the upholder of Brahmanical religion.
  • According to Chinese sources, Meghavaraman, the ruler of Sri Lanka, sent a missionary to Samudragupta for a permission to built a Buddhist temple at Gaya.
  • He was a Vaishnavite.
Posted on by
Score
Views