With the rise of the Guptas to power in the beginning of the fourth century A.D., there opened a new era in the history of India. Regarding the origin of the Guptas, history is indistinct. But once they rose into the status of an imperial power, history assumed a bright colour. Various literary and epigraphic sources came into being to [...]
From the Gupta inscriptions it is known that in his life-time Samudragupta selected Chandragupta II as his successor to the throne 'out of his many sons' by considering him as his Satputra or the most worthy son. He was the son of queen Datta or Dattadevi, described as Mahadevi. Chandragupta II was the worthy son of a worthy father. He [...]
Chandragupta I was succeeded by his son Samudragupta. According to the descriptions of the Allahabad Prasasti or Pillar Inscription, Chandragupta I selected Samudragupta by considering him as the most worthy (Arya) to succeed to the throne. The decision of the king was publicly announced in an open assembly of the king's counselors who accepted the selection with joyous satisfaction. But [...]