Samudragupta - The Napoleon of India



The son of Chandragupta 1 and the second ruler of the Gupta Dynasty, Samudragupta is known for his expansions and conquests. The major source of information about his reign is the Allahabad prashasti. He embarked on a series of campaigns in South and East India. He used to give the enemy Kings a choice. Either they could surrender peacefully and could retain their Empire or they could opt for a battle in which they would mostly be killed. He is depicted as a warrior with hundreds of battle scars. But that was not all. Apart from his military talents, Samudragupta was a master in playing the Veena. This is depicted in many of the coins minted during his reign.
The beginning of his reign was accompanied by the conquest of the neighbouring Naga kingdoms. He won lands in Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, finally reaching Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. He used to reinstate the defeated Kings on their thrones and would allow them to rule as his deputees. This proved his worth as a Statesman. He exterminated 9 monarchs and subdued 11. His Empire stretched from Punjab in the North to Kanchipuram in the South. All these conquests earned him the title of Napoleon of India. He was succeeded by his younger son, Chandragupta Vikramaditya.

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