Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 1158. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDIA, Guptas. Chandragupta I or Samudragupta. Circa 320-335 or 335-380 AD. AV Dinar (7.78 g, 12h). Marriage type. Chandragupta I standing facing left, holding crescent-topped sceptre, looking at his bride Kumaradevi to whom he offers a ring; both figures nimbate / The goddess Lakshmi, holding diadem and cornucopiae, seated facing on lion reclining to left; tamgha to left, D to right. BMC Guptas 26; Altekar pl. 1, 9; Bayana 7. Good VF, dumpy flan, red earthen encrustation. ($1000)

INTRODUCTION TO GUPTA EMPIRE

The origins and early years of the Guptas are uncertain, but historical records show that by the third century AD, they had established a kingdom in north-central India, at which time its kings Srigupta and Ghatokacha take the title maharaja, or "great king". The kingdom soon expanded its control of the Ganges plain by driving out the weakened Kushan Empire from the region, and, in 320 AD, drove northward, whittling away large portions of the eastern half of the remaining Kushan state. Now, the son of Ghatokacha, Chandragupta I (circa 320-335 AD) declared himself maharajadhiraja, or "king of kings", establishing himself head of the new Gupta Empire.

Upon the death of Chandragupta I, his son and successor, Samudragupta (circa 335-380 AD), continued to expand the Gupta power against both the Kushans and the Indian kingdoms to the south. Samudragupta was also a patron of art and literature. At court a number of important scholars were in residence, and the king himself was an accomplished poet and musician. While he was a firm believer in Hinduism and worshipped Lord Visnu, he was, nevertheless, tolerant of other religions.

Under Chandragupta II (circa 380-413 AD), the Gupta Empire reached its zenith. He defeated the western Saka Kshatrapas, who had captured his brother and immediate predecessor, Ramagupta. He incorporated Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Bengal into his realm. His marriage to the daughter of the Deccan king gave him a powerful ally to the south. Yet, despite the significant military susccesses, his reign is remembered more for its influence on Hindu art, literature, culture, and science. Like his father, Chandragupta I, Chandragupta II was also tolerant of other religions, including Buddhism and Jainism.

The long reign of Kumaragupta (circa 413-455 AD), signalled the halcyon days of the Gupta Empire. Although he continued the practices of his predecessors and his reign was largely peaceful, during its final years, troubles signalled the beginning of decline. The first problem was the Pushyamitras, a tribe of foreigners who had settled in central India. It was not until early in the reign of Skandagupta (circa 455-467 AD), Kumaragupta's successor and the last of the great Gupta kings, that the Pushyamitras were finally defeated. Soon after, the Huns, who were also overrunning the Kidarites, invaded Gupta territory. Though Skandagupta was able to repulse them temporarily, he did so at a great cost by draining the empire's resources. Skandagupta's successors, Narasimhagupta (circa 467-473 AD), Kumaragupta II (circa 473-476 AD), and Buddhagupta (circa 476-495? AD) were helpless against renewed Hunnic incursions. In the 480s the Hunnic king Toramana broke through the Gupta defenses in the northeast, and by 500 AD, much of the empire was overrun. Toramana's successor Mihirakula completed the breakup; now former Gupta vassals set-up their own local kingdoms. The last recognized Gupta king was Visnugupta (circa 540 to 550 AD); by then the Gupta kingdom was only a shadow of its former self.