The Age of the Imperial Guptas c4.113

c4.113

Candragupta II, the third emperor of the dynasty, raised the kingdom left by his father to the status of an empire. He became the virtual master of Northern India by destroying the Scythians of the Panjab and Western India. He was unquestionably the paramount sovereign of India at the time of his death. By the marriage alliance with the Vākāṭakas he had neutralised the only rival power in India. Like all great kings he was totally unscrupulous, which is proved by his deposition or murder of his eldest brother Rāmagupta. Like Akbar and Śivāji he was brave to the point of rashness, which is proved by his adventure in disguise with a chosen band of followers in the city or camp of the Scythian kings. He was an ambitious man and a good general and therefore succeeded in annexing the Eastern Panjab, Mālava, Gujarat and Kathiawad to his inherited dominions. He also issued a varied gold coinage like his father. The most significant type of his gold coins is the Lion-slayer type which perhaps indicates his lion hunting either in the deserts of Rajputana or in Kathiawad.