Nalanda Copper Plate Royal Charter
II (Other five are private
records of donations)
Kamaragupta 14 Out of them, five are
I official copper plates and
the rest (9) are private
records.
Skandagupta 5 Junagarh Rock Prasasti
Bhitari Pillar Prasasti
Indore Stone Pillar Royal Charter
(Evidence of
subinfeudation)
Buddhagupta 7 Paharpur Copper Plate Royal Charter
inscription (Evidence of
state ownership
of land)
The Early Guptas
Srigupta and his son Ghatotkachagupta were nonentities assuming the simple
title of maharaja. As it is not known definitely where these Gupta kings ruled
and whether they owed allegiance to any paramount sovereign, it is better to
leave undecided the status of the first two Gupta kings.
Chandragupta I
The third ruler Chandragupta I, the son and successor of Ghatotkacha, was
definitely a strong ruler whose hands were sought by the Lichchhavis who
gave their princess Kumaradevi in marriage to him. This matrimonial alliance
with this ancient historic family no doubt enhanced the status of the obscure
Guptas. The Lichchhavi territory of north Bihar and the adjoining principality
over which the Guptas ruled were united under Chandragupta and the latter
was able to extend his dominion over Oudh as well as Magadha, and along
the Ganges as far as Prayaga or AllahabAD. Chandragupta I is usually
regarded as the founder of the Gupta era, which commenced on 26 February
AD 320 to commemorate his accession or coronation—an era which