SSC
Who was the first ruler (founder) of the Gupta dynasty?
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Answer: Option C — Sri Gupta
Detailed Solution
Sri Gupta (Shri Gupta) is regarded as the founder and first ruler of the Gupta dynasty, around the late 3rd century CE (about 240-280 CE).
About Sri Gupta:
- He is known mainly from later Gupta inscriptions, which list him as the first king of the dynasty, with the title "Maharaja".
- He probably ruled a small kingdom in the region of Magadha or eastern Uttar Pradesh (Bengal according to some scholars).
A later Chinese pilgrim mentions a king "Shri-Gupta" who built a temple for Chinese pilgrims near a place called Mrigashikhavana, about 500 years before his time; many scholars identify this king with the founder of the Gupta dynasty.
The Gupta genealogy:
- Sri Gupta (founder; title "Maharaja").
- Ghatotkacha (his son; title "Maharaja").
- Chandragupta I.
- Samudragupta.
- Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
- Kumaragupta I.
- Skandagupta.
- Later Gupta rulers, until the empire declined in the 6th century CE.
Origins of the Guptas:
- The origin of the Guptas is not clear.
- Some scholars believe they were Vaishyas, based on the surname "Gupta", while others suggest a different origin.
- They may have been feudatories of the Kushanas or other rulers before becoming independent.
The rise of the Guptas:
- The real power of the dynasty began with Chandragupta I, through a marriage alliance and conquests.
- The Gupta era (Gupta Samvat) was counted from 319-320 CE.
About the Gupta empire:
It is often called the "Golden Age" of ancient India, because of its achievements in art, literature, science and mathematics.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Ghatotkacha was the second ruler.
- ✗Samudragupta and Kumaragupta I were later rulers.
Quick tip
Remember: Gupta founder = Sri Gupta (title Maharaja; mentioned by a Chinese pilgrim as building a temple for Chinese pilgrims); then Ghatotkacha; real power from Chandragupta I; Gupta era = 319-320 CE.
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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.