Correct Answer - Option 1 : Vaishali
The correct answer is Vaishali.
- The Gupta period is considered to be the golden period of the country.
- The culture was developed significantly in the Gupta period.
- There was tremendous progress in religion, art, literature, and knowledge.
- Therefore, many scholars have considered the Gupta period to be the best period for Hindus.
- The foundation of the Gupta Empire was found in the third and early fourth centuries.
- The Gupta dynasty was the dominant dynasty in ancient India.
- Presently Gupta dynasty is Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
- In Ancient India, the Gupta Dynasty ruled the middle of the 3rdcentury (approximately) to 543 AD.
- Gupta dynasty period is referred to as the 'Classical Age or Golden Age of Ancient India.
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Sri Gupta was the founder Gupta dynasty
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Sri Gupta was followed by his son Ghatokkacha and was followed by his son Chandragupta. Both assumed the title of Maharaja.
Chandragupta I (AD 319-335)
- He was the first Gupta ruler to assume the title Maharajadhiraja.
- He started the Gupta era in 319 - 320 AD.
- He was successful in building a small principality into a great kingdom.
- He established his authority over Magadha, Saketa, and Prayaga.
- He issued gold coins.
Samudragupta (AD 335-380)
- Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta I and Kumaradevi.
- The Allahabad inscription describes his bravery as composed by his court poet, Harisena.
- He defeated nine kings of the Ganges Valley, twelve kings from the southern region, and eighteen forest tribes.
- He was also called 'Indian Napoleon' by Vincent Smith.
- He also performed Ashvamedha's sacrifice. Hence, one of his coins refers to him as 'the restorer of Ashvamedha'.
- He was also called 'Kaviraja' since he composed verses.
Chandragupta II(AD 380-415)
- Son of Samudragupta and his queen Dattadevi and younger brother of Ramagupta.
- He was also known as ‘Vikramaditya’.
- He issued silver coins.
- He further annexed territories including Saurashtra which gave him the western coastline.
- He also annexed three Satrapa kingdoms and assumed the title Sakari (destroyer of the Sakas).
- He defeated the Saka king Rudrasimha III thus acquiring Saurashtra and Kathiawar.
- After East and West India, Chandragupta II defeated northern rulers also like the Hunas, Kambojas, Kiratas, etc.
- He was a brilliant conqueror and an able administrator as well.
- His other names (as mentioned in coins) include Vikrama, Devagupta, Devaraja, Simhavikrama, Vikramaditya Sakari, etc.
- His court had nine jewels or Navaratnas, nine people eminent in various fields of art, literature, and science. This included the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa, Harisena, Amarasimha (lexicographer), and Dhanvantari (physician).
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Fa-Hien, a Buddhist from China visited India during his reign.
Kumaragupta (AD 415-455)
- He founded Nalanda University.
- He was the worshipper of Lord Kartikeya.
Skandagupta (AD 455-467)
- Skandagupta was the last great ruler of the Gupta dynasty.
- He repulsed the ferocious Hunas attacks twice.
- The continuous attack by the Hunas weakened the Gupta economy and the decline of the empire began soon after the death of Skandagupta.