Later Gupta dynasty

The Later Gupta dynasty ruled the Magadha region in eastern India between 6th and 7th centuries. The Later Guptas succeeded the imperial Guptas as the rulers of Magadha, but there is no evidence connecting the two dynasties; these appear to be two distinct families.[1] The Later Guptas are so-called because the names of their rulers ended with the suffix "-gupta", which they might have adopted to portray themselves as the legitimate successors of the imperial Guptas.[2]

Later Gupta dynasty

6th century–7th century
The Later Gupta kingdom at its zenith around c. 590 CE, and its neighbours
The Later Guptas as vassals of Harsha, c. 625 CE
CapitalPataliputra
Religion
Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
History 
• Established
6th century
• Disestablished
7th century
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Gupta Empire
Vardhana dynasty
Gauda Kingdom

History

After the decline of the Gupta Empire, the Later Guptas succeeded them as the rulers of Magadha.[1] The daughter of the dynasty's founder Krishnagupta is said to have married prince Adityavarman of the Maukhari dynasty. According to Apshad inscription, Krishnagupta's grandson Jivitagupta carried out military expeditions in the Himalayan region and southwestern Bengal.[3]

During the reign of Jivitagupta's son Kumaragupta, the dynasty developed a rivalry with the Maukharis. Kumaragupta defeated the Maukhari king Ishanavarman in 554 CE, and died at Prayaga. His son Damodaragupta suffered reverses against the Maukharis.[3]

Damodaragupta's son Mahasenagupta allied with the Vardhana dynasty. His sister married the Vardhana ruler Adityavardhana. He invaded Kamarupa and defeated Susthita Varman.[3] But he subsequently faced three invaders: the Maukhari king Sharva-varman, the Kamarupa king Supratishthita-varman, and the Tibetan king Srong Tsan. His vassal Shashanka also abandoned him (and later established the independent Gauda Kingdom). Under these circumstances, Mahasena-gupta was forced to flee Magadha, and take shelter in Malwa. Subsequently, the Vardhana emperor Harsha restored the Later Gupta rule in Magadha, and they ruled as Harsha's vassals.[1]

After Harsha's death, the Later Gupta ruler Adityasena became the sovereign ruler of a large kingdom extending from the Ganges in the north to the Chhota Nagpur in the south; and from Gomati River in the east to the Bay of Bengal in the west.[4] However, he was defeated by the Chalukyas.[5]

Jivitagupta II, the last known ruler of the dynasty, appears to have been defeated by Yashovarman of Kannauj.[4]

Rulers

The known Later Gupta rulers include:[6][7][8]

  • Nrpa Shri Krishna-gupta (Kṛṣṇagupta), r. c. 490-505 CE
  • Deva Shri Harsha-gupta (Harṣagupta), r. c. 505-525 CE
  • Shri Jivita-gupta I, r. c. 525-550 CE
  • Shri Kumara-gupta, r. c. 550-560 CE
  • Shri Damodara-gupta, r. c. 560-562 CE
  • Shri Mahasena-gupta, r. c. 562-601 CE
  • Shri Madhava-gupta, r. c. 601-655 CE (Queen: Shrimati)
  • Maharajadhiraja Aditya-sena, r. c. 655-680 CE (Queen: Konadevi)
  • Maharajadhiraja Deva-gupta, r. c. 680-700 CE (Queen: Kamaladevi)
  • Maharajadhiraja Vishnu-gupta (Viṣnugupta) (Queen: Ijjadevi)
  • Maharajadhiraja Jivita-gupta II

References
  1. Karl J. Schmidt 2015, p. 26.
  2. Sailendra Nath Sen 1999, p. 246.
  3. Sailendra Nath Sen 1999, p. 247.
  4. Sailendra Nath Sen 1999, p. 248.
  5. Alain Daniélou 2003, p. 151.
  6. Ronald M. Davidson 2012, p. 35.
  7. Sailendra Nath Sen 1999, pp. 247-248.
  8. Hans Bakker 2014, p. 83.

Bibliography
  • Alain Daniélou (2003). A Brief History of India. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. p. 151. ISBN 978-1-59477-794-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Hans Bakker (2014). The World of the Skandapurāṇa. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-27714-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Karl J. Schmidt (2015). An Atlas and Survey of South Asian History. Routledge. ISBN 9781317476818.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Ronald M. Davidson (2012). Indian Esoteric Buddhism: A Social History of the Tantric Movement. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231501026.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Sailendra Nath Sen (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age. ISBN 9788122411980.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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