A famous ruler of a dynasty known as the Guptas. We know about Samudragupta from a long inscription, actually a poem in Sanskrit, composed by his court poet,Harishena nearly 1700 years ago. This was inscribed on the Ashokan pillar at Allahabad. This inscription is of a special kind known as a prashasti, a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘in praise of’. While prashastis were composed for some of the ruler such as Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni, they became far more important from the time of the Guptas.
The poet praised the king in glowing terms —as a warrior, as a king who won victories in battle, who was learned and the best of poets. He is also described as equal to the gods. The prashasti was composed in very long sentences. Here is part of one such sentence: Harishena describes four different kinds of rulers, and tells us about Samudragupta’s policies towards them.
The rulers of Aryavarta, Here there were nine rulers who were uprooted, and their kingdoms were made a part of Samudragupta’s empire.
The rulers of Dakshinapatha. Here there were twelve rulers, he surrendered to Samudragupta after being defeated and then allowed them to rule again.
The inner circle of neighbouring states, including Assam, coastal Bengal, Nepal, and a number of gana sanghas in the northwest.They brought tribute, followed his orders, and attended his court.
The rulers of the outlying areas, perhaps the descendants of the Kushanas and Shakas, and the ruler of Sri Lanka, who submitted to him and offered daughters in marriage.
The poet praised the king in glowing terms —as a warrior, as a king who won victories in battle, who was learned and the best of poets. He is also described as equal to the gods. The prashasti was composed in very long sentences. Here is part of one such sentence: Harishena describes four different kinds of rulers, and tells us about Samudragupta’s policies towards them.
The rulers of Aryavarta, Here there were nine rulers who were uprooted, and their kingdoms were made a part of Samudragupta’s empire.
The rulers of Dakshinapatha. Here there were twelve rulers, he surrendered to Samudragupta after being defeated and then allowed them to rule again.
The inner circle of neighbouring states, including Assam, coastal Bengal, Nepal, and a number of gana sanghas in the northwest.They brought tribute, followed his orders, and attended his court.
The rulers of the outlying areas, perhaps the descendants of the Kushanas and Shakas, and the ruler of Sri Lanka, who submitted to him and offered daughters in marriage.
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