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The Gupta Dynasty covered almost all of India during the years 319 to 467 CE, which is seen as a perfect time in Indian history, often called the “golden age.” People know only a little about the first two Gupta rulers, Sri Gupta and Ghatotkacha. They think Chandragupta I founded the Gupta dynasty. Some experts believe the Guptas might be Vaishyas because of the title ‘Gupta,’ linked to the Vaishyas group. This article will provide you with complete details about the Gupta Dynasty, the Gupta Dynasty Family Tree, etc.
Gupta Dynasty Founder
Gupta started the Gupta Empire between 240 and 280 CE. After him, his son Ghatotkacha ruled from 280-319 CE, and then Ghatotkacha’s son Chandragupta I took over from 319-335 CE. A Chinese Buddhist monk named Yijing, who lived in the 7th century, talked about a king named “Che-li-ki-to,” which is probably “Shri-Gupta,” with “Shri” as a respectful word.
Yijing said this king built a temple for Chinese Buddhist travelers near a place thought to be Mṛgaśikhāvana. In an inscription on the Allahabad Pillar, Gupta and Ghatotkacha are called Maharaja, meaning “great king,” while Chandragupta I is called Maharajadhiraja, meaning “king of great kings.”
Gupta Dynasty Last Ruler
The Gupta dynasty’s last ruler was Vishnugupta. He ruled from 540 to 550 CE. However, Skandagupta, who ruled from 455 to 467 CE, is considered the most important ruler. The Gupta Dynasty started in the 3rd century CE and left a significant impact on things like books, buildings, intelligent people, and incredible art.
After Skandagupta, the Gupta Empire started going downhill. Eventually, it fell apart when the White Huns, a group from Central Asia, invaded in the late 5th century CE. These attacks made the Gupta Empire lose its strength and money. By the mid-500s, India was split into smaller kingdoms again.
Gupta Dynasty Family Tree – Rulers
The Gupta Dynasty started with Gupta a long time ago. Gupta’s son, Ghatotkacha, ruled after him from 280 to 319 CE. Then, Ghatotkacha’s son, Chandragupta I, took over and ruled from 319 to 335 CE. This family tree shows how these leaders played essential roles in making the Gupta Empire strong and well-known in ancient India. The complete Gupta Dynasty Family Tree is given in the table below.
| Ruler | Reign (CE) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sri-Gupta I | Late 3rd century CE | He was a founder of the dynasty. |
| Ghatotkacha | 280/290–319 CE | He was a son of Sri Gupta I. |
| Chandra-Gupta I | 319–335 CE | He was the first emperor and married Licchavi princess Kumaradevi. She helped him to expand his power. |
| Samudra-Gupta | 335–375 CE | He defeated kings in the north and expanded the empire from the Ravi River to the Brahmaputra River and the Himalayan foothills to central India. |
| Kacha | mid-4th century CE | He was a rival brother/king and possible usurper. Some coins witness him as a king; he may be the same as Samudra-Gupta. |
| Rama-Gupta | Rama-Gupta was possibly a ruler of the Gupta Dynasty. | |
| Chandra-Gupta II Vikramaditya | 375–415 CE | He continued the expansionist policies. He defeated Western Kshatrapas and extended the Gupta empire from the Indus River to the Bengal region. |
| Kumara-Gupta I | 415–455 CE | He maintained control of inherited territory from Gujarat in the west to Bengal region in the east. |
| Skanda-Gupta | 455–467 CE | He restored the Gupta family’s fortunes and possibly faced reverses against Pushyamitras or the Hunas. |
| Puru-Gupta | 467–473 CE | He was a successor to Skanda-Gupta. |
| Kumara-Gupta II Kramaditya | 473–476 CE | He was a successor to Puru-Gupta. |
| Buddha-Gupta | 476–495 CE | They had close ties with the rulers of Kannauj. Together, they sought to run the Alchon Huns (Hunas) out of the fertile plains of Northern India. |
| Narasimha-Gupta Baladitya | 495–530 CE | He was a successor to Buddha-Gupta. |
| Kumara-Gupta III | 530–540 CE | He was a successor to Narasimha-Gupta Baladitya. |
| Vishnu-Gupta Chandraditya | 540–550 CE | He was a successor to Kumara-Gupta III. |
Golden Age of Indian Culture
The Gupta overlordship was shared across the empire in its early years, and later, local rulers were given considerable autonomy in their areas. It is essential to distinguish between the inventions and accomplishments of the Gupta period and the Guptas.
Some early observers referred to the Gupta period as the “Golden Age of Indian Culture.” It is because of the large quantity and high quality of art produced during that time. The term “Golden Age” was coined by these writers in reference to their desire for an ideal or classical style of art (using ancient Greek art as an example), as well as their belief that art after the time of Gupta was less classical and too decadent to be appealing.
The rock-cut temples of Ajanta and Elephanta, built in the fifth and sixth centuries by the Vakataka & Kalachuri dynasties, are notable examples of the Gupta period’s more prosperous and more advanced art history. The rock-cut temples of Ajanta and Elephanta, built in the fifth and sixth centuries by the Vakataka & Kalachuri dynasties, are notable examples of the Gupta period’s more prosperous and more advanced art history.
That is not to imply that the Gupta kings were not significant supporters of the arts and architecture. The Udaigiri network of rock-cut caves in Madhya Pradesh is a unique monument with inscriptions from the Gupta court. Nineteen of the site’s 20 caves are dedicated to Hindu gods and date from the fourth to fifth centuries, while one cave is devoted to the Jain religion and dates from the early fifth century.
Gupta Period Painting and Sculpture
In addition to its enormous creation of Buddha pictures, the Gupta period is notable for its Hindu and Jain religious imagery made of stone, terracotta, and metal. Surviving terracotta samples include sculptural plaques designed to ornament temple walls.
The terracotta panel above depicts the Hindu god Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu) defeating the horse demon Keshi. Lord Krishna pushes the horse-demon back with his leg and inserts his elbow into Keshi’s mouth to halt his advance.
Painting was undoubtedly a vital art style throughout the Gupta period, but few examples have remained. Mural paintings in Ajanta’s Buddhist rock-cut caves show that painting methods had advanced significantly by the fifth century. Ajanta’s paintings are also valuable for the clues they contain about the period’s artistic achievements.
Decline of the Gupta Dynasty
After the death of Skandagupta, the Gupta Empire entered a period of decline. The later Gupta coinage reflects the loss of control over much of western India after 467–469. Successive rulers included Purugupta (467–473), Kumaragupta II (473–476), Budhagupta (476–495), Narasimhagupta (495–530), Kumaragupta III (530–540), Vishnugupta (540–550), Vainyagupta, and Bhanugupta.
In the late 490s, the Alchon Huns, under Toramana and Mihirakula, breached Gupta defenses in the northwest, which led to the Huns’ dominance in that region by 500. Toramana was defeated by Bhanugupta in 510. The Huns were expelled from India in 528 by Yashodharman, possibly with the Gupta emperor Narasimhagupta.
These invasions lasted for a few decades and had long-term consequences. They contributed to the decline of Classical Indian civilization. The Gupta Empire faced economic repercussions, disrupted trade relations, and experienced cultural regression with the destruction of learning centers like Taxila. Buddhism also suffered due to anti-Buddhist rulers, such as Mihirakula, and the urban culture declined.
The Huna rule reshaped ruling families and the caste system. The Gupta dynasty’s recognized ruler in its later period was Vishnugupta. Various factors, including competition from the Vakatakas and the rise of Yashodharman in Malwa, influenced the decline of the empire.
FAQs on Gupta Dynasty
Who is founder of Gupta dynasty?
The Gupta Dynasty was founded by Sri-Gupta. He is considered the first ruler of the Gupta line, with his reign marked as the late 3rd century CE. Little is known about the early life of Sri-Gupta, as records from the time are sparse.
What is the Gupta dynasty best known for?
The Gupta Dynasty is renowned for its golden age of advancements in art, science, literature, and philosophy, including notable progress in mathematics and astronomy.
Who is the most famous Gupta ruler?
Chandra Gupta II, also known as Vikramaditya, is the most celebrated ruler of the Gupta Dynasty, known for his patronage of the arts and extensive expansion of the empire.
Who is the main king of the Gupta dynasty?
Samudragupta is regarded as the greatest king of the Gupta dynasty since it was during his time as ruler that the Gupta Empire expanded to its greatest level.
