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[[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'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]].<ref name=":4" /> | [[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'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]].<ref name=":4" /> | ||
== Samudragupta's Aryavarta campaigns == | |||
{{See also|Samudragupta}} | |||
=== Conquest of Central India by Samudragupta (r. 336–380 CE) === | |||
[[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]] ''Sa-mu-dra'' in an early version of the Gupta [[Brahmi script]], appears vertically under the left arm of the king.<ref>{{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}}</ref>]] | |||
: Some scholars believe that the term "Shaka-Murundas" refers to a single entity. For example, scholars such as [[Sten Konow]] assert that "Murunda" is a [[Shakas|Shaka]] title meaning "lord"; the [[Kushans]] also used similar titles (for example, [[Kanishka]] is titled a "muroda" in his Zeda inscription).{{sfn|Agrawal|1989|p=123}} | |||
: 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 ''[[Puranas]]'' mention the rule of 13 Murunda kings, and [[Hemachandra]]'s ''Abhidhana-Chintamani'' 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 "Murundas".{{sfn|Agrawal|1989|p=123}}[[File:Allahabad pillar Samudragupta inscription Shaka word in Line 23.jpg|thumb|The vanquished "Śaka" ([[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.<ref name="CII4">{{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}}</ref>]] | |||
=== Battle of Eran === | |||
: The exact location of the Shakas mentioned in Samudragupta'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]].<ref name="CII4" /> Eran then came under the direct control of Samudragupta, as attested by his Eran inscription.{{sfn|Agrawal|1989|p=123}}<ref name="CII4" /> | |||
: 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.<ref name="Shaw 58">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&pg=PR58 p58-59]</ref> At [[Eran]], it seems that Sridharavarman's inscription is succeeded by a monument and an inscription by [[Gupta Empire|Gupta King]] [[Samudragupta]] (r.336-380 CE), established "for the sake of augmenting his fame", who may therefore have ousted Sridharavarman's Sakas in his campaigns to the West.<ref>"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) "for the sake cf augmenting his fame"." 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}}</ref> Sridharavarman is probably the "Saka" ruler mentioned in the [[Allahabad pillar]] inscription of Samudragupta, as having "paid homage" to the Gupta king,<ref name="CII42">{{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}}</ref> forced to "self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces".<ref>Lines 23-24 of the [[Allahabad pillar]] inscription of Samudragupta: "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."</ref> | |||
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 10:57, 1 July 2025
| Gupta–Saka Wars | |||||||||
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Gupta Empire Supported by Vakataka dynasty | Western Satraps | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Samudragupta Chandragupta II Ramagupta X Virasena Saba Śanakanika Amrakarddava Rudrasena II Prabhavatigupta |
Rudrasimha II  Rudrasimha III † Sridharavarman Rudrasena III Simhasena | ||||||||
The Gupta–Saka Wars refers to the military conflict between the Gupta Empire and the Western Satraps during the 4th century CE.[4] Chandragupta II, also known as 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.[5] Chandragupta II's success against the Western Satraps is attested by a combination of historical and literary evidence.[4]
Prelude
Cause of War
Chandragupta II, the ruler of the Gupta Empire, expanded his dominion to include the provinces of Kathiawar, 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.[6]
Ports such as Bharuch played pivotal roles in exporting Indian goods to Western markets, including commodities from Central Asia and 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 Rome possessed ample stocks of oriental goods, including silk and spices, highlighting the flourishing state of Indian trade with the west.[6]
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 medical treatises attesting to their availability in the markets of Byzantium. The discovery of Byzantine coins in various parts of India further corroborates the existence of commercial relations between the two regions.[6]
Furthermore, Iranian merchants monopolized the silk trade with the West, purchasing silk from Indian traders and supplying it to Roman markets. This challenges the notion that Indian silk weavers found it expensive to export their products, suggesting alternative factors for the migration of silk weavers.[6]
The westward expansion of the Gupta Empire may also have been motivated by political considerations, particularly the desire to end 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.[6]
Chandragupta II and Vakatakas
Chandragupta II is believed to have arranged the marriage of his daughter, Prabhavatigupta, to Rudrasena II, the Crown Prince of the Vakataka dynasty, to secure a strategic ally during his campaign against the Sakas. The Vakataka king's potential influence in conflicts with the Saka satraps in Gujarat and Saurashtra made this alliance advantageous.However, some scholars question the active involvement of the Vakataka Royal House, particularly under Prithivishena I, during Chandragupta II's western campaign. Prithvishena I, described as a Dharmavijayin, participated in the Deccan campaigns of Samudragupta, but lacked aggressive expansionist policies. The conquest of Kuntala, often credited to the Vakataka dynasty, was actually achieved by a different branch.[7]
Furthermore, inscriptions depict Prithvishena I as embodying noble virtues rather than ambitious conquest. It is debated whether he posed a significant threat to Chandragupta II's ambitions in the western regions. Overall, while the marriage alliance with the Vakataka dynasty may have been a diplomatic strategy by Chandragupta II, the extent of the Vakataka king's involvement in the Gupta king's western campaign remains subject to scholarly debate.[7]
The marriage between 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.[7]
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, Prithvishena I, and the weakness of her husband, Rudrasena II. After Rudrasena II's death around 380-385 CE, 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 Pravarasena.[7]
Samudragupta's Aryavarta campaigns
Conquest of Central India by Samudragupta (r. 336–380 CE)
Sa-mu-dra in an early version of the Gupta Brahmi script, appears vertically under the left arm of the king.[8]- Some scholars believe that the term "Shaka-Murundas" refers to a single entity. For example, scholars such as Sten Konow assert that "Murunda" is a Shaka title meaning "lord"; the Kushans also used similar titles (for example, Kanishka is titled a "muroda" in his Zeda inscription).[9]
- Other scholars, such as K. P. Jayaswal, believe that Shakas and Murundas are two different groups of people.[9] According to this theory, Shakas here most probably refers to the Western Kshatrapa rulers of Ujjain.[10] Jayaswal notes that the Puranas mention the rule of 13 Murunda kings, and Hemachandra's Abhidhana-Chintamani 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 "Murundas".[9]
The vanquished "Śaka" (
) mentioned by Samudragupta in the Allahabad pillar (Line 23) probably refer to the Saka ruler Sridharavarman in Central India.[11]
Battle of Eran
- The exact location of the Shakas mentioned in Samudragupta's inscription is not certain. V. A. Smith identified them with the Western Kshatrapas, who controlled the western Malwa and 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.[11] Eran then came under the direct control of Samudragupta, as attested by his Eran inscription.[9][11]
- 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.[12] At Eran, it seems that Sridharavarman's inscription is succeeded by a monument and an inscription by Gupta King Samudragupta (r.336-380 CE), established "for the sake of augmenting his fame", who may therefore have ousted Sridharavarman's Sakas in his campaigns to the West.[13] Sridharavarman is probably the "Saka" ruler mentioned in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta, as having "paid homage" to the Gupta king,[14] forced to "self-surrender, offering (their own) daughters in marriage and a request for the administration of their own districts and provinces".[15]
Reference
- ↑ Mirashi, Vasudev Vishnu (1963). Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum Vol.5 (inscriptions Of The Vakatakas). Government Epigraphist For India. pp. XXIII.
The combined strength of the Guptas and the Vakatakas was sufficient to wipe out the Western Kshatrapas, who disappear from history about this time.
- ↑ Dwivedi, Gautam N. (1973). "The Western Limits of the Gupta Empire". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 34: 76–79. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44138595.
- ↑ Sharma, Tej Ram (1989). A Political History of the Imperial Guptas: From Gupta to Skandagupta. Concept. pp. 77–78. ISBN 978-81-7022-251-4.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 DASGUPTA, K. K. (1960). A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF INDIA,VOL.3,PART1. PEOPLES OF PUBLISHING HOUSE. pp. 54–55.
- ↑ Majumdar, R. C. (1981). A Comprehensive History of India. Vol. 3, Part I: A.D. 300-985. Indian History Congress / People's Publishing House. p. 53. OCLC 34008529.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 History Of The Imperial Guptas. pp. 239–243.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 History Of The Imperial Guptas. pp. 243–246.
- ↑ Allen, John (1914). Catalogue of the coins of the Gupta dynasties. pp. 1-2.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Agrawal 1989, p. 123.
- ↑ Sharma 1989, p. 89.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Mirashi, Vasudev Vishnu (1955). Corpus inscriptionum indicarum vol.4 pt.2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri Chedi Era. Archaeological Society of India. pp. 605–611.
- ↑ 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 p58-59
- ↑ "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) "for the sake cf augmenting his fame"." in Pradesh (India), Madhya; Krishnan, V. S. (1982). Madhya Pradesh: District Gazetteers. Government Central Press. p. 28.
- ↑ Mirashi, Vasudev Vishnu (1955). Corpus inscriptionum indicarum vol.4 pt.2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri Chedi Era. Archaeological Society of India. pp. 605–611.
- ↑ Lines 23-24 of the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta: "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 Dēvaputra-Shāhi-Shāhānushāhi and the Śaka lords and by (rulers) occupying all Island countries, such as Siṁhala and others."