Later Gupta dynasty

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Later Gupta dynasty
6th century–8th century
The Later Gupta kingdom at its zenith around c. 590 CE, and its neighbours
The Later Gupta kingdom at its zenith around c. 590 CE, and its neighbours
The Later Guptas as vassals of Harsha, c. 625 CE
The Later Guptas as vassals of Harsha, c. 625 CE
CapitalPataliputra
Religion
Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
History 
• Established
6th century
• Disestablished
8th century
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Gupta Empire
Vardhana dynasty
Varman dynasty of Kannauj
Pala dynasty

The Later Gupta dynasty ruled the Magadha region in eastern India between the 6th and 8th centuries CE. The Later Guptas succeeded the imperial Guptas as the rulers of Magadha, but there is no evidence connecting the two dynasties; these appear to be two distinct families.[1] The Later Guptas are so-called because the names of their rulers ended with the suffix "-gupta", which they might have adopted to portray themselves as the legitimate successors of the imperial Guptas.[2]

History[]

After the decline of the Gupta Empire, the Later Guptas succeeded them as the rulers of Magadha.[1] The daughter of the dynasty's founder Krishnagupta is said to have married prince Adityavarman of the Maukhari dynasty. According to Apshad inscription, Krishnagupta's grandson Jivitagupta carried out military expeditions in the Himalayan region and southwestern Bengal.[3]

During the reign of Jivitagupta's son Kumaragupta, the dynasty developed a rivalry with the Maukharis. Kumaragupta defeated the Maukhari king Ishanavarman in 554 CE, and died at Prayaga. His son Damodaragupta suffered reverses against the Maukharis.[3]

Damodaragupta's son Mahasenagupta allied with the Vardhana dynasty. His sister married the Vardhana ruler Adityavardhana. He invaded Kamarupa and defeated Susthita Varman.[3] But he subsequently faced three invaders: the Maukhari king Sharvavarman, the Kamarupa king Supratishthita-varman, and the Tibetan king Songtsen. His vassal Shashanka also abandoned him (and later established the independent Gauda Kingdom). The Maukhari king Sharvavarman is thought to have defeated Damodaragupta, invading Magadha circa 575 CE, which made him ruler of the entire Uttar Pradesh.[4][5] Under these circumstances, Mahasenagupta was forced to flee Magadha, and take shelter in Malwa. Subsequently, the Vardhana emperor Harsha restored the Later Gupta rule in Magadha, and they ruled as Harsha's vassals.[1]

After Harsha's death, the Later Gupta ruler Adityasena became the sovereign ruler of a large kingdom extending from the Ganges in the north to the Chhota Nagpur in the south; and from Gomati River in the east to the Bay of Bengal in the west.[6] However, he was defeated by the Chalukyas.[7]

Jivitagupta II, the last known ruler of the dynasty, appears to have been defeated by Yashovarman of Kannauj.[6]

Rulers[]

The known Later Gupta rulers include:[8][9][10]

  • Nrpa Shri (Kṛṣṇagupta), r. c. 490-505 CE
  • Deva Shri (Harṣagupta), r. c. 505-525 CE
  • Shri I, r. c. 525-550 CE
  • Shri , r. c. 550-560 CE
  • Shri , r. c. 560-562 CE
  • Shri , r. c. 562-601 CE
  • Shri , r. c. 601-655 CE (Queen: Shrimati)
  • Maharajadhiraja , r. c. 655-680 CE (Queen: Konadevi)
  • Maharajadhiraja , r. c. 680-700 CE (Queen: Kamaladevi)
  • Maharajadhiraja (Viṣnugupta) (Queen: Ijjadevi)
  • Maharajadhiraja

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Karl J. Schmidt 2015, p. 26.
  2. ^ Sailendra Nath Sen 1999, p. 246.
  3. ^ a b c Sailendra Nath Sen 1999, p. 247.
  4. ^ Sinha, Bindeshwari Prasad (1977). Dynastic History of Magadha, Cir. 450-1200 A.D. Abhinav Publications. p. 119-120.
  5. ^ Mookerji, Radha Kumud (1 January 2016). Harsha: Calcutta University Readership Lectures 1925. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 55. ISBN 978-81-208-0862-1.
  6. ^ a b Sailendra Nath Sen 1999, p. 248.
  7. ^ Alain Daniélou 2003, p. 151.
  8. ^ Ronald M. Davidson 2012, p. 35.
  9. ^ Sailendra Nath Sen 1999, pp. 247–248.
  10. ^ Hans Bakker 2014, p. 83.

Bibliography[]

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