The Vakataka–Gupta Age (circa 200–550 A.D.) c15.2

c15.2

We are now in a position to resume the history of Narasimha-gupta Bālāditya (See p. 177) and to view his reign in a true perspective. He had ascended the throne at a time when internal dissensions and foreign invasion (under Harisheṇa and Toramāṇa) had still further weakened the power and prestige of the empire which had already been considerably diminished even in the reign of Budha-gupta. The Gupta empire now resembled the Mughal empire after the death of Aurangzeb. The imperial authority was acknowledged in name, but already some provincial satraps and feudatory chiefs behaved almost like independent rulers. It was not long before Yaśodharman openly took up arms against the Gupta emperor and began his victorious raids. But although we may credit Yaśodharman with a number of successful military campaigns, it is difficult to believe that he could consolidate his conquests and establish a big empire. It is interesting to note in this connection how epigraphic evidence clearly indicates that his conquests did not bring about any political change either in the eastern or in the western extremities of the area over which he is said to have carried his victorious arms. No less than fourteen Valabhi Grants ranging in date between 525 and 545 A.D. have been discovered so far. They all refer to Mahārāja Dhruvasena and are drawn up in the normal style reflecting no political change of any importance. In N. Bengal, as we shall see, a grant dated 543 A.D. definitely refers to the Gupta emperor. These may not be regarded as conclusive evidences, but certainly favour the supposition that Yaśodharman's campaigns were of the nature of military raids and marked no important change in the political map of Northern India.