Gupta-Saka Wars | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Gupta Empire | Western Satraps | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Samudragupta Chandragupta II Ramagupta X Virasena Saba Śanakanika Amrakardava | Rudrasimha II Rudrasimha III † Sridharavarman Rudrasena III Simhasena |
The Gupta-Saka Wars refers to the military conflict between the Gupta Empire, ruled by Chandragupta II, and the Western shatrapas, also known as the Shakas, 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 Kshatrapas, also known as the Shaka, who ruled in west-central India. [5] Chandragupta II's success against the Western Kshatrapas is attested by a combination of historical and literary evidence. [4]
Chandragupta II, the ruler of the Gupta Empire, expanded his dominion to include the provinces of Kathiawar or Surashtra 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 Barygaza 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 or 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 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]
Rudrasimha III seems to have been the last of the Western Satrap rulers. [16] Samudragupta who was the second great unifier of India, passed away in 375 CE. According to the Sanskrit play called "Devichandraguptam," was succeeded by Ramagupta, who was a weak ruler. The Sakas started a revolt and emboldened by Persian support, revolted against the Guptas. Unskilled in war, Ramagupta was outflanked in a battle and was besieged by the Saka forces. Afterwards, Ramagupta tried to negotiate with the 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 excecuted his plan by disguising as a woman, entered the Saka chief'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 ]
Due to the liberations of Kapisa and Gandhara, the Sasanians allied with the Saka Kshatrapa, who were trying to rid themselves of Indian influence.[ citation needed ]
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. [17]
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
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. [19] A tale of a climatic Battle of Alor (Sindh province of modern day Pakistan) between Chandragupta Vikramaditya and the Sakas still survived till the time of Alberuni in the 11th century CE. Chandragupta II's campaign against the Sakas was successful and the Saka Kshatrapas were wiped out.[ citation needed ]
Chandragupta II's military campaigns against the Western Kshatrapas are well-documented in historical records. Inscriptions, such as the Allahabad Pillar inscription of his father Samudragupta, mention the "Shaka-Murundas" among the kings who sought to appease him. It is speculated that Samudragupta may have reduced the Shakas to a state of vassal alliance, [20] [2] paving the way for Chandragupta II to completely subjugate them. [21] The decline of Western Kshatrapa coinage towards the end of the 4th century, followed by the emergence of Gupta coinage in the region, further supports Chandragupta II's conquest. [22] Chandragupta had successfully extended his realm westward by defeating Rudrasimha III in 395. His campaign against Western satraps lasted until 409. [23]
Literary evidence, including the Sanskrit play Devichandraguptam, narrates Chandragupta II'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 Shaka chief besieging his brother's empire. [21] This literary tradition, along with other Indian legends of King Vikramaditya's triumph over the Shakas, underscores the historical significance of Chandragupta II's conquest. [21]
Chandragupta II, known for his expansion of Gupta authority into west-central India, including present-day Gujarat, achieved a significant victory over the 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. [25]
Chandragupta II's reign marked a period of prosperity and stability for the Gupta Empire. His strategic alliances and military campaigns expanded the empire'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's legacy as a visionary leader and astute ruler continues to be celebrated in Indian history, symbolizing the golden age of Gupta imperial rule. [4] The Gupta ruler Skandagupta (455-467 CE) is known for a long inscription where he describes himself as "the ruler of the earth" 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. [26]
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire on the Indian subcontinent which existed from the mid 3rd century CE to mid 6th century CE. It was the seventh ruling dynasty of Magadh. At its zenith, from approximately 319 to 467 CE, it covered much of the Indian subcontinent. This period has been considered as the Golden Age of India by historians, although this characterisation has been disputed by some other historians. According to Puranic chronology the Imperial Gupta dynasty ruled for 245 years from 327 B.C.-82 B.C., while according to the currently accepted chronology the regnal period of this dynasty is 209 years from 319 A.D.-528 A D. The ruling dynasty of the empire was founded by Gupta and the most notable rulers of the dynasty were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I and Skandagupta.
Chandragupta II, also known by his title Vikramaditya, as well as Chandragupta Vikramaditya, was the third ruler of the Gupta Empire in India. Modern scholars generally identify him with King Chandra of the Delhi iron pillar inscription.
Chandragupta I was a king of the Gupta Empire, who ruled in northern and central India. His title Mahārājadhirāja suggests that he was the first emperor of the dynasty. It is not certain how he turned his small ancestral kingdom into an empire, although a widely accepted theory among modern historians is that his marriage to the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi helped him extend his political power. Their son Samudragupta further expanded the Gupta empire.
Samudragupta (Gupta script: Sa-mu-dra-gu-pta, was the second emperor of the Gupta Empire of ancient India, and is regarded among the greatest rulers of India. As a son of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta I and the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, he greatly expanded his dynasty's political and military power.
Kumaragupta I was an emperor of the Gupta Empire of Ancient India. A son of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II and Queen Dhruvadevi. He seems to have maintained control of his inherited territory, which extended from Gujarat in the west to Bengal region in the east.
The Indo-Scythians were a group of nomadic people of Iranic Scythian origin who migrated from Central Asia southward into the northwestern Indian subcontinent: the present-day South Asian regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Eastern Iran and northern India. The migrations persisted from the middle of the second century BCE to the fourth century CE.
Ramagupta, according to the Sanskrit play Devichandraguptam, was an emperor of the Gupta dynasty of northern India. The surviving fragments of the play, combined with other literary evidence, suggest that he agreed to surrender his wife Dhruvadevi to a Shaka enemy: However, his brother Chandragupta II killed the Shaka enemy, and later dethroned him, marrying Dhruvadevi.
The Shaka era is a historical Hindu calendar era, the epoch of which corresponds to Julian year 78.
The Western Satraps, or Western Kshatrapas were Indo-Scythian (Saka) rulers of the western and central parts of India, between 35 and 415 CE. The Western Satraps were contemporaneous with the Kushans who ruled the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, and were possibly vassals of the Kushans. They were also contemporaneous with the Satavahana (Andhra) who ruled in Central India. They are called "Western Satraps" in modern historiography in order to differentiate them from the "Northern Satraps", who ruled in Punjab and Mathura until the 2nd century CE.
The Vakataka dynasty was an ancient Indian dynasty that originated from the Deccan in the mid-3rd century CE. Their state is believed to have extended from the southern edges of Malwa and Gujarat in the north to the Tungabhadra River in the south as well as from the Arabian Sea in the west to the edges of Chhattisgarh in the east. They were the most important successors of the Satavahanas in the Deccan and contemporaneous with the Guptas in northern India.
Yaudheya (Brahmi script: 𑀬𑁅𑀥𑁂𑀬) or Yoddheya Gana (Yoddheya Republic) was an ancient militant gana (confederation) based in the Eastern region of the Sapta Sindhu. The word Yaudheya is a derivative of the word from yodha meaning warriors and according to Pāṇini, the suffix '-ya', was significant of warrior tribes, which is supported by their resistance to invading empires such as the Kushan Empire and the Indo-Scythians. Rudradaman I of the Western Satraps notes in his Junagadh rock inscription that the Yaudheyas were 'heroes among all Kshatriya' and 'were loath to surrender'. They were noted as having a republic form of government, unique from other Janapadas which instead maintained monarchies.
Rudrasimha III was the last ruler of the Western Satraps in India, in the 4th century AD. Rudrasimha III succeeded Rudrasena IV as the leader of the Indo-Scythians in India. Both were the sons of the Saka ruler Satyasimha, making them at least half-brothers, if not first-degree relatives.
Rudrasena II (256–278) was a king of the Western Satraps, and the 19th ruler of the Kshatrapa dynasty. The Kshatrapa dynasty seems to have reached a high level of prosperity under his rule.
The Kanakerha inscription, also spelled Kanakherha inscription, is an inscription found on the side of the hill of Sanchi, dating to the 3rd or 4th century CE.
Yasodhaman II (317–332) was a son and probably sub-king of king Rudrasimha II of the Western Satraps. He declared on his coins to be the son of Rudrasimha II.
Viśvasena was a ruler of the Western Satraps, and the 22nd ruler of the Kshatrapa dynasty. He was the last Kshatrapa ruler of the Chastana family, brother and successor to Bhartrdaman and son of Rudrasena II.
Sridharavarman was a Saka (Indo-Scythian) ruler of Central India, around the areas of Vidisa, Sanchi and Eran in the 4th century CE, just before the Gupta Empire expansion in these areas. He calls himself a general and "righteous conqueror" in an inscription, and Rajan ('King') and Mahaksatrapa in a probably later inscription at Eran, suggesting that he may have been a high-ranked officer who later rose to the rank of a King.
Gupta art is the art of the Gupta Empire, which ruled most of northern India, with its peak between about 300 and 480 CE, surviving in much reduced form until c. 550. The Gupta period is generally regarded as a classic peak and golden age of North Indian art for all the major religious groups. Gupta art is characterized by its "Classical decorum", in contrast to the subsequent Indian medieval art, which "subordinated the figure to the larger religious purpose".
The Abhira dynasty was a dynasty that ruled over the western Deccan, where it perhaps succeeded the Satavahana dynasty. From 203 CE to roughly 270 or 370, this dynasty formed a vast kingdom. The Abhiras had an extensive empire comprising Maharashtra, Konkan, Gujarat and part of south Madhya Pradesh.