The Vakataka–Gupta Age (circa 200–550 A.D.) c7.5

c7.5

The Guptas were thus practically an all-India power towards the end of the reign of Chandra-gupta II. The unity, however, did not last long. It was dependent to a great extent upon the ability of the reigning emperor. Neither Kumāra-gupta I nor Skanda-gupta was as able as Chandra-gupta II or Samudra-gupta. They also suffered from a political blunder that had been already committed by their great predecessor Chandra-gupta II. He did not realise the vital necessity of keeping an effective control over the Punjab and the Khyber pass, if the political integrity of the rest of India was to be maintained. The Guptas showed in this respect less political insight than the Mauryas, who did not relax their efforts till they had secured an effective control over the Khyber and Bolan passes. Had the Guptas followed their example, the country might not have suffered as much as it did from the Hūṇa invasions during the 5th and 6th centuries. Had they effectively garrisoned the Khyber pass, the critical battles with the Hūṇas would have been fought beyond the Indus and not in Malwa and Central India.