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Which Gupta ruler was the first to adopt the grand title of 'Maharajadhiraja' (great king of kings)?
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Answer: Option A — Chandragupta I
Detailed Solution
Chandragupta I (ruled about 319-335 CE) was the first Gupta ruler to adopt the grand title of "Maharajadhiraja" ("great king of kings").
About Chandragupta I:
- He was the son of Ghatotkacha and the grandson of the founder of the dynasty.
- His predecessors used the simpler title "Maharaja".
- His adoption of the title "Maharajadhiraja" shows that he became much more powerful and independent, and ruled over a larger kingdom.
- He is regarded as the first important ruler of the Gupta dynasty, who laid the foundation of the Gupta empire.
His marriage alliance:
- He married Kumaradevi, a princess of the Lichchhavi clan, a powerful and respected family.
- This marriage greatly increased the prestige and power of the Guptas, and may have brought them control of parts of north Bihar.
- Gold coins of the "Chandragupta-Kumaradevi type" (also called the "King and Queen type") show Chandragupta I and Kumaradevi together, with the word "Lichchhavayah" (the Lichchhavis) on the reverse.
- His son Samudragupta proudly called himself "Lichchhavi-dauhitra" (daughter's son of the Lichchhavis) in his inscription.
The Gupta era:
Chandragupta I is believed to have started the Gupta era (Gupta Samvat), from 319-320 CE, probably to mark his accession or coronation.
His kingdom:
His kingdom included Magadha, Saketa (Ayodhya region) and Prayaga (Prayagraj), according to the Puranas.
Gupta titles:
- Later Gupta kings also used titles such as "Paramabhattaraka", "Parameshvara" and "Paramadvaita", in addition to "Maharajadhiraja".
- Such grand titles were used to show their supremacy over subordinate rulers (samantas).
Why not the other options?
- ✗Ghatotkacha used the title "Maharaja".
- ✗Samudragupta and Skandagupta were later rulers who also used the title.
Quick tip
Remember: first Gupta "Maharajadhiraja" = Chandragupta I (married Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi; King-Queen type coins; Gupta era 319-320 CE); Samudragupta = "Lichchhavi-dauhitra".
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Post-Mauryan & Gupta Age — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Post-Mauryan & Gupta Age, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the period after the Mauryas: the Shungas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Shakas and Kushanas, followed by the Gupta Empire, often called the classical age of India, and the reign of Harshavardhana. It includes art, literature, science and administration in these periods. Exams test the rulers and their achievements (Kanishka and the fourth Buddhist council, Samudragupta's Allahabad Pillar inscription, Chandragupta II and Fa-Hien), the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art, and Gupta scholars such as Kalidasa, Aryabhata and Varahamihira. Harsha's reign is usually tested with Hiuen Tsang and Nalanda University. Practise the post-Mauryan and Gupta age questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.