Samudragupta (ruled c. 335–375 CE) was the second great ruler of the Gupta dynasty, known from the Allahabad (Prayag) pillar inscription composed by his court poet Harisena for his wide military campaigns across north and south India, and for his patronage of learning and music.
The Gupta dynasty rose in the Ganga valley in the early fourth century. Chandragupta I, Samudragupta's father, took the title Maharajadhiraja and strengthened his position through marriage with the Lichchhavis, an old and respected clan. Samudragupta succeeded him around 335 CE, possibly after a contest among princes, since the inscription stresses that his father chose him in the presence of the court.
Almost everything known about his reign comes from the Prayag Prashasti, a eulogy inscribed on the same pillar that carries Ashoka's edicts, along with his coins and later references. The inscription describes his conquests and lists the rulers he dealt with in different ways, and portrays him as a poet, musician and patron of the learned.
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