Reclining Nude (Le Grande Nu). Painting by Amedo Modigalini

Samudragupta shall ever be remembered for his multifaceted personality. He could be compated to Alexander the Great, for his conquests: to Ashoka the Great, for his religious tolerance and empire building. Indeed, he was a brave and talented ruler who carved a high niche in India history as brought about political unity and stability within the country. Because of Samudragupta’s achievements, the Gupta period in Indian history is referred to as the ‘Golden age’.

His father Chadragupta-I was the founder of Gupta dynasty. Samudragupta showed early signs of his talents and lpromise and as such his father nominated him as his successor. He ascended the throne about A.D.335. Many lesser rulers revolted against him but he suppressed their rebellion. He dreamt of making India as a country of united hues of religion, caste and class under his rule. Manyl of his edicts commemorate his victorious campaigns. First of all, he subdued the kingdoms of Doaba (the Ganga-Jamuna region). The prominent kingdoms defeated byl him included those of Mathure, Achhyut and Ganpating across northern India. They were annexed into the Gupta empire. He conquered the 18 principalities of Atviks around Nagpur in the south which boosted his morale. He conquered twelve kingdoms across the south which included Madras, Kanch, Chola, Chera and Pandya. He displayed foresightedness and liberal humanism when he returned the conquered kingdoms to their rulers if they accepted this suzerainty and agreed to pay him annual tribute.

In the third phase of his conquests, the rulers of north-eastern kingdoms accepted him as their suzerain. These kingdoms were of Bengal, Assam, Bepal, Kumaon, Garhwal and Rohikhand.

In the fourth phase of his victorious campaign, he subdued rulers from Delhi to Malwa. The rulers of Malwa, Abhir and Mudrak accepted him as their emperor. In this way, Samudragupta’s domain spread from the Himalayas in the north to the narmada in the south, as well as from the Yamuna in the west ot the Hooghly in the east. The Shaka, Kushan and rulers of Sinhala island wee also his dependants. The kushans and Shakas who had been very good fighters were afraid of lhim. Malaya, Java and Sumatra also accepted his pre-eminence. The ruler of Ceylon, now Sri Lank, sought his permission to establish a monastery at Bodh Gaya.

Samuldragupta orgainsed an ashvamedh yagna to celebrate his vicroty. Brahmins were distributed their share of gold and thousands of cows. A gold coin lwith the inscription of his edicts was struck on lthe occasion. Samudragupta was a liberal and kind-hearted ruler., He worshipped Lord Vishnu and also allowed everyone to worship the Almighty in any manner they liked. He had many Buddihist scholars at his court. Samudragupta was known for his encouragement ot art.

He was not just a good warrior and Emperorm, he was a learned aman and liked scholars. He liked beautiful paintings and statues. He loved music and used to play the veena very well. One of his coins depict him as playing veena. He also wrote many books and poetry. Smith has written, “Samudragupta was a man of extraordinary capabilities. He was a warrior, capable ruler, learned man, poet and musician, all rolled into one”.