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&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New page&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;{{Short description|Military conflicts between the Gupta Empire and the Western Satraps}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Infobox military conflict&lt;br /&gt;
| conflict          = Gupta–Saka Wars&lt;br /&gt;
| place             = [[Central India]], Western [[Malwa]], [[History of Gujarat|Gujarat]], [[Vidisha]] (near Eastern [[Malwa]]), [[History of Rajasthan|Rajasthan]] and [[History of Sindh|Sindh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| combatant1        = [[Gupta Empire]]&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;[[Vakataka dynasty]]&lt;br /&gt;
| combatant2        = [[Western Satraps]]&lt;br /&gt;
| commander1        = &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Samudragupta]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Chandragupta II]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Ramagupta]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[[Virasena Saba]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[[Śanakanika Maharaja|Śanakanika]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[[Amrakarddava]]&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;[[Rudrasena II]]&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;[[Prabhavatigupta]]&lt;br /&gt;
| commander2        = &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Rudrasimha II]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;{{Surrender}}&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Rudrasimha III]]{{KIA}}&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;[[Sridharavarman]]{{Surrender}}&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Rudrasena III&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Simhasena&lt;br /&gt;
| date              = 335–413 C.E&lt;br /&gt;
| result            = [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]]–[[Vakatakas|Vakataka]] victory&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite book |last=Mirashi |first=Vasudev Vishnu |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.107898/page/n40/mode/1up |title=Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum Vol.5 (inscriptions Of The Vakatakas) |date=1963 |publisher=Government Epigraphist For India |pages=XXIII|quote=The combined strength of the Guptas and the Vakatakas was sufficient to wipe out the Western Kshatrapas, who disappear from history about this time.}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| territory         = * [[Samudragupta]] conquered [[Central India]].&lt;br /&gt;
* [[Chandragupta II]] conquered western [[Malwa]], [[History of Gujarat|Gujarat]], [[History of Rajasthan|Rajasthan]] and [[History of Sindh|Sindh]].&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite journal |last=Dwivedi |first=Gautam N. |date=1973 |title=The Western Limits of the Gupta Empire |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44138595 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=34 |pages=76–79 |jstor=44138595 |issn=2249-1937}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
* The whole of the [[Kathiawar]] peninsula was included in the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] dominion and the [[Arabian Sea]] formed its western boundary.&amp;lt;ref name=Sharma1989&amp;gt;{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=Tej Ram |year=1989 |title=A Political History of the Imperial Guptas: From Gupta to Skandagupta |publisher=Concept |isbn=978-81-7022-251-4 |pages=77–78}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:1&amp;quot;/&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| image             = East-Hem 400ad.jpg&lt;br /&gt;
| image_size        = 400px&lt;br /&gt;
}}{{Campaignbox Iranian-Indian Wars and Conflicts}}&lt;br /&gt;
The &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Gupta–Saka Wars&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039; refers to the military conflict between the [[Gupta Empire]] and the [[Western Satraps]] during the 4th century CE.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{Cite book |last=DASGUPTA |first=K. K. |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12720 |title=A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF INDIA,VOL.3,PART1 |date=1960 |publisher=PEOPLES OF PUBLISHING HOUSE |pages=54–55}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Chandragupta II, also known as [[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta Vikramaditya]], was a prominent ruler of the [[Gupta Empire]] during the 4th century CE. His reign is marked by significant military achievements, notably his subjugation of the [[Western Satraps]] who ruled in west-central India.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:0&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite book |last=Majumdar |first=R. C. |title=A Comprehensive History of India. Vol. 3, Part I: A.D. 300-985 |publisher=Indian History Congress / People&amp;#039;s Publishing House |year=1981 |location= |pages=53 |oclc=34008529}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; [[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta II&amp;#039;s]] success against the [[Western Satraps]] is attested by a combination of historical and literary evidence.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:1&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Prelude ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Cause of War ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[Chandragupta II]], the ruler of the Gupta Empire, expanded his dominion to include the provinces of [[Kathiawar]], [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] and northern Gujarat, in addition to maintaining control over his existing territories. This expansion was driven by various factors, including geographical considerations and economic opportunities. By conquering these regions, [[Chandragupta II]] gained access to the ports along the western coast, facilitating direct engagement in lucrative maritime trade with Western countries.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/goyal-1967 |title=History Of The Imperial Guptas |pages=239–243 |language=English}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Ports such as [[Bharuch]] played pivotal roles in exporting Indian goods to Western markets, including commodities from [[Central Asia]] and [[Jin dynasty (266–420)|China]]. Despite suggestions of declining trade, historical evidence indicates that commerce between India and the Western nations remained robust during the Gupta period. For instance, records show that [[Roman Empire|Rome]] possessed ample stocks of oriental goods, including silk and spices, highlighting the flourishing state of Indian trade with the west.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:3&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Moreover, the decline of Rome as a trading hub was compensated by the rise of [[Constantinople]] in [[Byzantium]], where the upper classes demanded Oriental goods for their luxury habits. Indian spices were particularly sought after, with [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] medical treatises attesting to their availability in the markets of [[Byzantium]]. The discovery of [[Byzantine coinage|Byzantine coins]] in various parts of India further corroborates the existence of commercial relations between the two regions.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:3&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Furthermore, [[Sasanian Empire|Iranian]] merchants monopolized the silk trade with the West, purchasing silk from [[Indian subcontinent|Indian]] traders and supplying it to Roman markets. This challenges the notion that [[Silk in the Indian subcontinent|Indian silk]] weavers found it expensive to export their products, suggesting alternative factors for the migration of silk weavers.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:3&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The westward expansion of the [[Gupta Empire]] may also have been motivated by political considerations, particularly the desire to end [[Western Satraps|Scythian]] rule in western India. [[Chandragupta II]] sought to suppress foreign rulers who posed a nuisance to Gupta politics, as evidenced by their attacks on eastern [[Malwa]] during the reign of [[Ramagupta]]. In response, [[Chandragupta II]] aimed to consolidate Gupta authority over western territories, addressing both economic and political objectives through expansionist policies.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:3&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Chandragupta II and Vakatakas ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[Chandragupta II]] is believed to have arranged the marriage of his daughter, [[Prabhavatigupta]], to [[Rudrasena II]], the [[Yuvaraja|Crown Prince]] of the [[Vakataka dynasty]], to secure a strategic ally during his campaign against the [[Saka]]s. The [[Vakataka dynasty|Vakataka]] king&amp;#039;s potential influence in conflicts with the Saka satraps in Gujarat and [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] made this alliance advantageous.However, some scholars question the active involvement of the Vakataka Royal House, particularly under [[Prithivishena I]], during [[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta II&amp;#039;s]] western campaign. [[Prithivishena I|Prithvishena I]], described as a Dharmavijayin, participated in the Deccan campaigns of [[Samudragupta]], but lacked aggressive expansionist policies. The conquest of [[Kuntala country|Kuntala]], often credited to the [[Vakataka dynasty|Vakataka]] dynasty, was actually achieved by a different branch.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/goyal-1967 |title=History Of The Imperial Guptas |pages=243–246 |language=English}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Furthermore, inscriptions depict [[Prithivishena I|Prithvishena I]] as embodying noble virtues rather than ambitious conquest. It is debated whether he posed a significant threat to [[Chandragupta II]]&amp;#039;s ambitions in the western regions. Overall, while the marriage alliance with the [[Vakataka dynasty|Vakataka]] dynasty may have been a diplomatic strategy by [[Chandragupta II]], the extent of the [[Vakataka dynasty|Vakataka]] king&amp;#039;s involvement in the Gupta king&amp;#039;s western campaign remains subject to scholarly debate.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:4&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The marriage between [[Prabhavatigupta|Prabhavati]] and [[Rudrasena II]] likely occurred around 380 CE or shortly thereafter, while the conquest of the Saka kingdom took place towards the end of the first decade of the fifth century or later. These events were separated by approximately 20 years, indicating they were not directly connected. However, the matrimonial alliance proved beneficial to the Gupta Empire.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:4&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Prabhavatigupta|Prabhavati]], known for her strong personality, played a significant role in influencing the policies of the Vakataka court, especially given the amiable temperament of her father-in-law, [[Prithivishena I|Prithvishena I]], and the weakness of her husband, [[Rudrasena II]]. After Rudrasena II&amp;#039;s death around 380-385 CE, [[Prabhavatigupta|Prabhavati]] became the regent for her two minor sons, Divakarasena and [[Damodarasena]], further strengthening Gupta influence. Her regency continued until around 410 CE when [[Damodarasena]] assumed the throne as [[Damodarasena|Pravarasena]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:4&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Samudragupta&amp;#039;s Aryavarta campaigns ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{See also|Samudragupta}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Conquest of Central India by Samudragupta (r. 336–380 CE) ===&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:SamudraguptaCoin.png|thumb|Coin of Samudragupta, with [[Garuda]] pillar, emblem of [[Gupta Empire]]. The name [[File:Gupta_ashoka_s.svg|12x12px]][[File:Gupta_ashoka_mu.jpg|14x14px]][[File:Gupta_ashoka_ddrr.jpg|13x13px]] &amp;#039;&amp;#039;Sa-mu-dra&amp;#039;&amp;#039; in an early version of the Gupta [[Brahmi script]], appears vertically under the left arm of the king.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite book |last1=Allen |first1=John |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.47214 |title=Catalogue of the coins of the Gupta dynasties |date=1914 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.47214/page/n123 1]-2}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;]]&lt;br /&gt;
: Some scholars believe that the term &amp;quot;Shaka-Murundas&amp;quot; refers to a single entity. For example, scholars such as [[Sten Konow]] assert that &amp;quot;Murunda&amp;quot; is a [[Shakas|Shaka]] title meaning &amp;quot;lord&amp;quot;; the [[Kushans]] also used similar titles (for example, [[Kanishka]] is titled a &amp;quot;muroda&amp;quot; in his Zeda  inscription).{{sfn|Agrawal|1989|p=123}}&lt;br /&gt;
: Other scholars, such as [[K. P. Jayaswal]], believe that Shakas and Murundas are two different groups of people.{{sfn|Agrawal|1989|p=123}} According to this theory, Shakas here most probably refers to the [[Western Kshatrapa]] rulers of [[Ujjain]].{{sfn|Sharma|1989|p=89}} Jayaswal notes that the &amp;#039;&amp;#039;[[Puranas]]&amp;#039;&amp;#039; mention the rule of 13 Murunda kings, and [[Hemachandra]]&amp;#039;s &amp;#039;&amp;#039;Abhidhana-Chintamani&amp;#039;&amp;#039; describes Murunda as people of [[Lampaka]] (in present-day Afghanistan). However, Agrwal points out that these sources are of relatively late origin, and it is possible that a branch of the Shakas had come to be known as &amp;quot;Murundas&amp;quot;.{{sfn|Agrawal|1989|p=123}}[[File:Allahabad pillar Samudragupta inscription Shaka word in Line 23.jpg|thumb|The vanquished &amp;quot;Śaka&amp;quot; ([[File:Gupta_allahabad_sh.svg|15px]][[File:Gupta_allahabad_k.svg|15px]]) mentioned by Samudragupta in the [[Allahabad pillar]] (Line 23) probably refer to the [[Saka]] ruler [[Sridharavarman]] in Central India.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;CII4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite book |last1=Mirashi |first1=Vasudev Vishnu |title=Corpus inscriptionum indicarum vol.4 pt.2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri Chedi Era |date=1955 |publisher=Archaeological Society of India |pages=605–611 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.3725/page/n321}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== Battle of Eran ===&lt;br /&gt;
: The exact location of the Shakas mentioned in Samudragupta&amp;#039;s inscription is not certain. [[Vincent Arthur Smith|V. A. Smith]] identified them with the [[Western Kshatrapas]], who controlled the western [[Malwa]] and [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] regions. [[D. R. Bhandarkar]] alternatively identified the Shaka-Murunda ruler with [[Shridhara-varman]], a Shaka ruler whose inscriptions have been discovered at [[Sanchi]] ([[Kanakerha inscription]]) and [[Eran]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;CII4&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; Eran then came under the direct control of Samudragupta, as attested by his Eran inscription.{{sfn|Agrawal|1989|p=123}}&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;CII4&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
: The Central Indian region around [[Vidisha]], [[Sanchi]] and [[Eran]] had been occupied by a Saka ruler named [[Sridharavarman]], who his known from the [[Kanakerha inscription]] at Sanchi, and another inscription with his Naga general at Eran.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Shaw 58&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Buddhist Landscapes in Central India: Sanchi Hill and Archaeologies of Religious and Social Change, c. Third Century BC to Fifth Century AD, Julia Shaw, Routledge, 2016 [https://books.google.com/books?id=IUbUDAAAQBAJ&amp;amp;pg=PR58 p58-59]&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; At [[Eran]], it seems that Sridharavarman&amp;#039;s inscription is succeeded by a monument and an inscription by [[Gupta Empire|Gupta King]] [[Samudragupta]] (r.336-380 CE), established &amp;quot;for the sake of augmenting his fame&amp;quot;, who may therefore have ousted Sridharavarman&amp;#039;s Sakas in his campaigns to the West.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;&amp;quot;During the course of this expedition he is believed to have attacked and defeated the Saka Chief Shridhar Varman, ruling over Eran-Vidisha region. He then annexed the area and erected a monument at Eran (modern Sagar District) &amp;quot;for the sake cf augmenting his fame&amp;quot;.&amp;quot; in {{cite book |last1=Pradesh (India) |first1=Madhya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CYLAQAAIAAJ |title=Madhya Pradesh: District Gazetteers |last2=Krishnan |first2=V. S. |date=1982 |publisher=Government Central Press |page=28 |language=en}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Sridharavarman is probably the &amp;quot;Saka&amp;quot; ruler mentioned in the [[Allahabad pillar]] inscription of Samudragupta, as having &amp;quot;paid homage&amp;quot; to the Gupta king,&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;CII42&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite book |last1=Mirashi |first1=Vasudev Vishnu |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.3725/page/n321 |title=Corpus inscriptionum indicarum vol.4 pt.2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri Chedi Era |date=1955 |publisher=Archaeological Society of India |pages=605–611}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; forced to &amp;quot;self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces&amp;quot;.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Lines 23-24 of the [[Allahabad pillar]] inscription of Samudragupta: &amp;quot;Self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces through the Garuḍa badge, by the [[Kushan Empire|Dēvaputra-Shāhi-Shāhānushāhi]] and the Śaka lords and by (rulers) occupying all Island countries, such as Siṁhala and others.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Ramagupta and Sakas ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{See also|Ramagupta|Rudrasimha III}}[[File:Bhadramukhas_ruler_Rudrasimha_III_Circa_385-415_CE.jpg|thumb|Coin of the last Western Satrap ruler [[Rudrasimha III]] (388–395).]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Rudrasimha III]] seems to have been the last of the Western Satrap rulers.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9_48AAAAIAAJ&amp;amp;pg=PA93 |title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India |publisher=CUP Archive |page=93 |language=en}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; [[Samudragupta]] who was the second great unifier of [[Indian subcontinent|India]], passed away in 375 CE. According to the [[Sanskrit]] play called &amp;quot;Devichandraguptam,&amp;quot; [[Samudragupta]] was succeeded by [[Ramagupta]], who was a weak ruler. The [[Sakas]] started a revolt and emboldened by [[Sasanian Empire|Persian]] support, revolted against the [[Gupta Empire|Guptas]]. Unskilled in war, [[Ramagupta]] was outflanked in a battle and was besieged by the [[Saka]] forces. Afterwards, [[Ramagupta]] tried to negotiate with the [[Western Satraps|Kshatrapa]] chief but the chief demanded that the wife or chief queen of [[Ramagupta]], [[Dhruvadevi]] to be handed over. This however infuriated his brother, [[Chandragupta II]]. According to the [[Sanskrit]] writers such as [[Bāṇabhaṭṭa]] and [[Vishakhadatta]], [[Chandragupta II]] executed his plan by disguising as a woman, entered the [[Saka]] chief&amp;#039;s tent and slayed him. Subsequently, [[Ramagupta]] was overthrown or killed due to an interplay of events and [[Chandragupta II]] became the next king.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Chandragupta II&amp;#039;s Saka conquests ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{See also|Chandragupta II}}[[File:Sanchi,_Inscription_of_Candragupta_II..JPG|thumb|The victorious [[Sanchi inscription of Chandragupta II]] (412-413 CE).]]&lt;br /&gt;
Due to the liberations of [[Kingdom of Kapisa|Kapisa]] and [[Gandhara]], the [[Sasanians|Persians]] allied with the [[Western Satraps|Saka Kshatrapa]], who were trying to rid themselves of Indian influence.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The [[Western Satraps]] were eventually conquered by King [[Chandragupta II]]. Inscriptions of a victorious [[Chandragupta II]] in the year 412-413 CE can be found on the railing near the Eastern Gateway of the Great Stupa in [[Sanchi]].&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Marshall, The Monuments of India [https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.532798 p.388]&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{blockquote|The glorious Candragupta (II), (...) who proclaims in the world the good behaviour of the excellent people, namely, the dependents (of the king), and who has acquired banners of victory and fame in many battles|[[Sanchi inscription of Chandragupta II]], 412-413 CE.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;Marshall, The Monuments of India [https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.532798 p.388 inscription 833]&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;}}&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;gallery mode=&amp;quot;packed&amp;quot; heights=&amp;quot;110&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;border:1px #aaa solid&amp;quot; caption=&amp;quot;Gupta Empire coins on the model of the Western Satraps&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
File:Silver_Coin_of_Chandragupta_II.jpg|Coin of Gupta ruler [[Chandragupta II]] (r.380–415) in the style of the Western Satraps.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;CIC&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
File:Silver_Coin_of_Kumaragupta_I.jpg|Coin of Gupta ruler [[Kumaragupta I]] (r.414–455) (Western territories).&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;CIC&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
File:Gupta_Kings._Skandagupta._AD_455-467.jpg|Coin of Gupta ruler [[Skandagupta]] (r.455-467), in the style of the Western Satraps.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;CIC&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/gallery&amp;gt;Following these conquests, the silver coins of the Gupta kings [[Chandragupta II]] and his son [[Kumaragupta I]] adopted the Western Satrap design (itself derived from the [[Indo-Greeks]]) with bust of the ruler and pseudo-Greek inscription on the obverse, and a royal eagle ([[Garuda]], the dynastic symbol of the Guptas) replacing the [[chaitya]] hill with star and crescent on the reverse.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;CIC&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Evidence of the conquest of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurastra]] during the reign of [[Chandragupta II]] is to be seen in his rare silver coins which are more directly imitated from those of the Western Satraps... they retain some traces of the old inscriptions in Greek characters, while on the reverse, they substitute the Gupta type ... for the [[chaitya]] with crescent and star.&amp;quot; in Rapson &amp;quot;A catalogue of Indian coins in the British Museum. The Andhras etc.&amp;quot;, p.cli&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; A tale of a climactic Battle of [[Aror|Alor]] ([[Sindh province]] of modern day [[Pakistan]]) between [[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta Vikramaditya]] and the [[Sakas]] still survived till the time of [[Alberuni]] in the 11th century CE. [[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta II&amp;#039;s]] campaign against the [[Sakas]] was successful and the [[Western Satraps|Saka Kshatrapas]] were wiped out.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Subjugation of the Western Kshatraps ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta II&amp;#039;s]] military campaigns against the [[Western Satraps|Western Kshatrapas]] are well-documented in historical records. Inscriptions, such as the [[Allahabad Pillar]] inscription of his father [[Samudragupta]], mention the &amp;quot;Shaka-Murundas&amp;quot; among the kings who sought to appease him. It is speculated that [[Samudragupta]] may have reduced the Shakas to a state of vassal alliance,&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{cite book |last=Agrawal |first=Ashvini |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRjC5IaJ2zcC&amp;amp;pg=PA315 |title=Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1989 |isbn=978-81-208-0592-7 |page=125}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=Sharma1989 /&amp;gt; paving the way for [[Chandragupta II]] to completely subjugate them.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite book |last=Majumdar |first=R. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fWVZWjNAcAgC |title=A Comprehensive History of India. Vol. 3, Part I: A.D. 300-985 |publisher=Indian History Congress / People&amp;#039;s Publishing House |year=1981 |location= |page=54 |isbn=978-81-7022-251-4 |oclc=34008529}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The decline of [[Western Satraps|Western Kshatrapa]] coinage towards the end of the 4th century, followed by the emergence of Gupta coinage in the region, further supports [[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta II&amp;#039;s]] conquest.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite book |last1=Kulke |first1=Hermann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RoW9GuFJ9GIC&amp;amp;pg=PA91 |title=A History of India |last2=Rothermund |first2=Dietmar |date=2004 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-415-32920-0 |pages=91 |language=en}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; [[Chandragupta II]] had successfully extended his realm westward by defeating [[Rudrasimha III]] in 395. His campaign against [[Western Satraps|Western satraps]] lasted until 409.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite book |last=Others |first=Muzaffar H. Syed &amp;amp; |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sy5gEAAAQBAJ&amp;amp;dq=His+son+Kumaragupta+I+was+married+to+a+Kadamba+princess+of+the+Karnataka+region.+Chandragupta+II+expanded+his+realm+westwards%2C+defeating+the+Saka+Western+Kshatrapas+of+Malwa%2C+Gujarat+and+Saurashtra+in+a+campaign+lasting+until+409.+His+main+opponent+Rudrasimha+III+was+defeated+by+395%2C+and+he+crushed+the+Bengal+chiefdoms.&amp;amp;pg=PA124 |title=History of Indian Nation : Ancient India |date=2022-02-20 |publisher=K.K. Publications |pages=124 |language=en}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:ChandraguptaIIOnHorse.jpg|thumb|An 8 gram gold coin featuring Chandragupta II astride a caparisoned horse with a bow in his left hand.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;* {{British-Museum-db|1910,0403.26|C_1910-0403-26}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The name &amp;#039;&amp;#039;Cha-gu-pta&amp;#039;&amp;#039; appears in the upper left [[Quadrant (circle)|quadrant]].]]&lt;br /&gt;
Literary evidence, including the [[Sanskrit]] play [[Devichandraguptam]], narrates [[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta II&amp;#039;s]] victory over the [[Western Satraps]]. According to the play, [[Chandragupta II]] disguised himself as the queen to deceive the enemy and successfully defeated a [[Western Satraps|Shaka]] chief besieging his brother&amp;#039;s empire.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:2&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; This literary tradition, along with other Indian legends of King [[Chandragupta II|Vikramaditya&amp;#039;s]] triumph over the [[Western Satraps|Shakas]], underscores the historical significance of [[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta II&amp;#039;s]] conquest.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:2&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== Aftermath ==&lt;br /&gt;
[[Chandragupta II]], known for his expansion of Gupta authority into west-central India, including present-day [[Gujarat]], achieved a significant victory over the [[Saka|Shakas]]. This conquest not only solidified Gupta dominance in the region but also contributed to the cultural and political unity of ancient India. His military successes and administrative acumen cemented his legacy as a formidable conqueror and statesman, shaping perceptions of Gupta imperial power and influence in historical narratives.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite book |last=Schmidt |first=Karl J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BqdzCQAAQBAJ&amp;amp;dq=samudragupta+conquered+afghanistan&amp;amp;pg=PA24 |title=An Atlas and Survey of South Asian History |date=2015-05-20 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-47681-8 |pages=24 |language=en}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Chandragupta II|Chandragupta II&amp;#039;s]] reign marked a period of prosperity and stability for the [[Gupta Empire]]. His strategic alliances and military campaigns expanded the empire&amp;#039;s territory and consolidated its control over key regions. Under his rule, the [[Gupta Empire]] reached its zenith, with flourishing trade, vibrant cultural exchange, and advancements in art, literature, and science. [[Chandragupta II]]&amp;#039;s legacy as a visionary leader and astute ruler continues to be celebrated in Indian history, symbolizing the golden age of Gupta imperial rule.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;:1&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The Gupta ruler [[Skandagupta]] (455-467 CE) is known for a long inscription where he describes himself as &amp;quot;the ruler of the earth&amp;quot; on a large rock at [[Junagadh]], in [[Gujarat]], next to the older inscriptions of [[Ashoka]] and [[Rudradaman I]], confirming the Gupta hold on the western regions.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;[http://projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu/Docs/HISTORY/PRIMARYDOCS/EPIGRAPHY/JunagadhRockInscription.htm &amp;quot;Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman&amp;quot;, &amp;#039;&amp;#039;Project South Asia&amp;#039;&amp;#039;.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223182107/http://projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu/Docs/HISTORY/PRIMARYDOCS/EPIGRAPHY/JunagadhRockInscription.htm|date=23 February 2009}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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== References ==&lt;br /&gt;
{{reflist}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gupta-Saka Wars}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Wars involving the Gupta Empire]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Western Satraps]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:4th-century conflicts]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:5th-century conflicts]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:5th-century disestablishments]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:300s conflicts]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:400s conflicts]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:400s disestablishments]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Gupta Empire]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Wars involving India]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Military history of India]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Wars by former country involved]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Wars involving ancient India]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Wars involving the states and peoples of Asia]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Vakataka dynasty]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Wars involving Vakataka dynasty]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>LucasRowan</name></author>
	</entry>
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