Chandragupta I
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| Chandragupta I | |
|---|---|
 Chandragupta I with his queen as depicted on a coin of their son, Samudragupta | |
| 3rd Gupta Emperor | |
| Reign | c. 320 – c. 335 CE |
| Coronation | 320 CE |
| Predecessor | Ghatotkacha |
| Successor | Samudragupta |
| Consort | Kumaradevi |
| Issue |
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| Dynasty | Gupta |
| Father | Ghatotkacha |
| Gupta Empire 320 CE–550 CE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chandragupta I was a king of the Gupta Empire around 320 CE. As the ruler of the Gupta Empire, he is known for forging alliances with many powerful families in the Ganges region.
Description
Chandragupta I was the son of Ghatotkacha and the grandson of Sri Gupta. Unlike his predecessors, who were known as Maharaja (king), he came to be known as Maharajadhiraja (king of kings). He came to power in 320 CE(Disputed) as his father Ghatotkacha died leaving him on the throne.[citation needed] However, it remains unknown how he expanded a "small principality to the status of an important kingdom" by annexing neighbouring kingdoms. He also married a Licchhavi princess, Kumaradevi, indicating that the matrimonial connections between the two led to the "political greatness" of the Gupta dynasty.[1]
The exact boundaries of his empire remains unknown. He had two main sons. The eldest was Kachagupta and the younger was Samudragupta.
Identification with Sandrokottos
According to scholars, the Sandrokottos mentioned by Megasthenes should be Chandragupta of Gupta Dynasty.The scholars have widely criticised the Philologist William Jones for identification of Sandrokottos with Chandragupta of Maurya Dynasty.According to Greek accounts, Xandrammes was deposed by Sandrokottos, son of Sandrokottos. Chandragupta Maurya had opposed Dhanananda of the Nanda dynasty; his son was Bindusara. These names (Dhanananda and Bindusara) are dissimilar to the names Xandrammes and Sandrocyptus in the Greek accounts. However, as in the case of Amitraghata, Greek sources mention secondary (Sanskritic) names for Indian kings. The Greek accounts contain statements from Greek and Roman writers from the fourth century BC to the second century CE. None mention Kautilya or Ashoka. Kautilya, according to tradition, helped Chandragupta to the throne. Ashoka's empire was larger than Chandragupta's. Colebrook has pointed out that the Greek writers did not say anything about the Buddhist Bhikkhus (although that was the predominant religion of the time) due to Ashoka's patronage.[2][3][4][5][6][7] Herodotos, in his Histories, about 420 BC, mentions ascetics in the Punjab.
Notes
- ^ Majumdar 2007, p. 230.
- ^ The plot in Indian chronology by Kota Venkatachelam ASIN B0007JSXGC
- ^ Astrological Magazine - Volume 71, Issues 1-6 - Page 329
- ^ Journal of the Andhra Historical Society - Volumes 18-20 - Page 187
- ^ Annual Report and General Meeting Invitation.1981. p.51
- ^ History of Classical Sanskrit Literature. p.ci. {ISBN| 978-8120802841}}
- ^ Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Volume 26. p.156
References
- Majumdar, R.C. (2007) [1977]. Ancient India (Reprint of Eighth ed.). Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 81-208-0436-8.
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