The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c15.5

c15.5

son Samudragupta who, in a series of brilliant campaigns, imposed his suzerainty on many northern Râjas, nine of whom are mentioned in the Allâhâbâd Inscription; on the frontier kingdoms, chiefships or oligarchies; on the chiefs of wild tribes, and on eleven rulers towards the south. He extinguished some of the old dynasties but allowed others to exist under his overlordship. Hariṣeṇa, the author of the Praśasti on the Allâhâbâd Pillar, boasts that his master conquered the whole earth. He signalised his achievements by celebrating the Aśvamedha sacrifice which seems to have been in abeyance for ages.¹ The range of his alliances extended from the Oxus to Ceylon. Siri Meghavanna or Meghavarṇa of Ceylon (c. A.D. 352–79) whom Sylvain Lévi, on the basis of evidence from Chinese sources, has proved to be a contemporary of Samudragupta, sent to the latter an embassy, laden with gems, with a view to facilitate the foundation of a monastery The northern emperor was pleased to consider the gifts as tribute.² About 375 A.D. Samudragupta was succeeded by his son Candragupta II, surnamed Vikramâditya, who added Mâlwâ, Gujrât and Kâthiâwâḍ to the empire. The Mathurâ Stone Inscription records his boast that he exterminated all kings. He ruled probably until 413 A.D.³ and was succeeded by Kumâragupta I. who, in spite of a temporary set-back, once again performed the Aśvamedha sacrifice and ruled until 455 A.D.⁴ Troubles thickened with the next king Skandagupta (c. A.D. 455—c. 467), who had to cope with a good deal of internal revolt and with swarms of Huns. The empire fell asunder but the dynasty or its branches continued far into the sixth century A.D.¹