Who succeeded Chandragupta I as the ruler of the Gupta Empire?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-I Official Paper (Held On: 05 Jun, 2025 Shift 3)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Samudragupta.

Key Points

Samudragupta succeeded Chandragupta I as the ruler of the Gupta Empire, marking the beginning of the golden age of Gupta rule.
He was renowned for his military conquests and is often referred to as the "Napoleon of India" due to his strategic and successful campaigns.
Samudragupta was a patron of art and culture, and his reign saw significant advancements in literature, science, and architecture.
His achievements are documented in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, written by his court poet Harisena.
Under his rule, the Gupta Empire expanded significantly, covering vast territories across northern and central India.

Additional Information

Gupta Empire:
- The Gupta Empire (circa 320-550 CE) is considered a classical era in Indian history, known for its advancements in art, science, and political administration.
- Key rulers of the Gupta dynasty include Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, and Kumaragupta.
- The empire's administration emphasized decentralization, with efficient governance at the local level.
Allahabad Pillar Inscription:
- It is one of the primary sources of information about Samudragupta's reign.
- Written in Sanskrit, it highlights his conquests, administrative policies, and patronage of arts.
- The inscription was composed by Harisena, his court poet and minister.
Golden Age of India:
- The Gupta period is often referred to as the "Golden Age of India" due to its significant contributions to culture, education, and science.
- Achievements include developments in astronomy, mathematics (introduction of the decimal system), and medicine.
- Key literary works like Kalidasa's "Shakuntala" and Aryabhata's mathematical treatises emerged during this period.
Military Conquests:
- Samudragupta conducted campaigns in both northern and southern India, defeating numerous rulers and expanding the empire.
- He adopted a policy of "Dharmavijaya" in southern India, where defeated rulers were allowed to retain their territories after acknowledging Gupta suzerainty.