History and Coinage of Skandagupta Kramaditya (An Old and Rare BooK)

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The prestige of the Gupta empire is built up by a long line of kings of exceptional ability who scored victories in wars and contributed to the richness of the cultural efflorescence for which the period is known in history. By all standards these kings can favourably compare with remarkable royal personalities belonging to other periods and other regions as well. Skandagupta, who belongs to the later half of the Gupta period, has to be classed with the earlier illustrious kings of the dynasty who laid solid foundations for the glory of the empire and later raised a superb structure on them. He was the last great king of the dynasty who by his sterling achievements revived the memory of his illustrious ancestors, Samudragupta and Chandragupta IL .

The achievements of Skandagupta shine still more brilliantly when viewed against the background of the difficulties which challenged him. Though there is some evidence to suggest that Samudragupta and Chandragupta II also had to face difficulties on their accession to the throne, in the time of Skandagupta the prestige of the dynasty had sunk very low and its very existence was threatened. Skandagupta, no doubt, inherited a rich legacy, but the throne, which his father bequeathed to him, was full of thorns. At the dawn of his reign the future of the family was overcast with menacing clouds which Skandagupta dispelled through his brilliance; the sun of the glory of the dynasty went on mounting to further heights. Whereas the earlier kings have the credit of maintaining the onward march of the expanding and developing empire, Skandagupta had to perform the still more difficult task of checking the back-sliding movement which was leading the dynasty to the abyss of total extinction, of raising it to a position of power, and of providing for its sustained strength. The reign came out of a spell of discomforting humiliation; it began with heroic achievements, and this tempo was effectively maintained during the maturing years.

The Junagadh Inscription, referring to the first, second and third year of his reign, testifies that Skandagupta had already surmounted the worst dangers. It is clear that these troubles had raised their ugly heads in the closing years of the life of his illustrious father. When Kumaragupta, in his weak old age, was only a pathetic silent spectator of the humiliating discomfiture of the mighty Gupta empire, it was Skanda-gupta who valiantly played the role of the saviour of the empire. We can get an idea of the quick and bold measures which Skandagupta took against the baffling array of difficulties, when we notice that by the third year of his reign Skandagupta had effectively bridled the trouble-makers. The theory that Skandagupta had to wade through a war of succession has been opposed. But, if one is prepared to read between the lines, one gathers from Skandagupta's inscriptions the indisputable impression that other claimants had an eye on the throne and the occupation of the throne was not easy sailing for him. We can further infer that some of his own kith and kin.

created trouble for him. Skandagupta in his magnanimity decided to forget and forgive. He observed an admirable decorum in not washing family's dirty linen in public; but his anguish peeps at places in veiled casual allusions. The greatest achievement of Skandagupta, for which he deserves a prominent mention in any account of significant events of world history, is the effective check which he applied to the onrushing hordes of the Himas. If we consider the lightning speed with which these virile and warlike people had conquered vast regions and had carried fire and sword to flourishing centres of culture from China to the Roman empire, without receiving any opposition worth the name, we can contemplate the loss and destruction which the sophisticated centres of culture in India would have faced and the possible turn its history would have taken had the Himas succeed. The Minas received a crushing defeat. The fear of the arms of the valiant Gupta king created such an overawing impression that for about half a century the lianas could not dare to direct their greedy eyes towards the Gupta empire.

They had to content themselves with their gains to the west of the Gupta empire. We do not hear of Skandagupta making any effort to dislodge the lianas from their seat in the west. He may have calculated the risks involved in such a venture. However, Skandagupta seems to have been alive to the dangers posed by the presence of the Hanas to the west of his empire. He was possibly conscious that they were bidding their time and would reappear on the first opportune occasion. It was probably for this reason that he took effective steps to put the house in order and to streamline the administration. The special care, which he scents to have taken in appointing efficient officers in the south-western part of his empire, is an indication of the recognition of the vulnerable nature of the area considering the future recurrence of the Huna invasion.

succeed. The Minas received a crushing defeat. The fear of the arms of the valiant Gupta king created such an overawing impression that for about half a century the lianas could not dare to direct their greedy eyes towards the Gupta empire. They had to content themselves with their gains to the west of the Gupta empire. We do not hear of Skandagupta making any effort to dislodge the lianas from their seat in the west. He may have calculated the risks involved in such a venture. However, Skandagupta seems to have been alive to the dangers posed by the presence of the Hanas to the west of his empire. He was possibly conscious that they were bidding their time and would reappear on the first opportune occasion. It was probably for this reason that he took effective steps to put the house in order and to streamline the administration. The special care, which he scents to have taken in appointing efficient officers in the south-western part of his empire, is an indication of the recognition of the vulnerable nature of the area considering the future recurrence of the Huna invasion.

The history of Skandagupta, the last of the great Guptas, is very controversial. But, inspite of the controversial nature of the kingship, his role in the maintenance of the stability of the kingdom is widely recognised. Sometime back I studied the problems of Skandagupta's reign and prepared some papers. But before these papers could be sent for publication, I was advised to bring them out in the form of a monograph. I am extremely thankful to Prof. Lallanji Gopal, Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, not only for including it in the Monographs Series of the Department but also for graciously writing a foreword, giving valuable suggestions and extending all the encouragement. It would not have been possible to bring out this monograph without his help and guidance.

My friend and colleague Dr. Nisar Ahmad has made several valuable suggestions and readily corrected the proofs. I am indeed grateful to him. I am also thankful to my wife Usha for preparing the Index. I am obliged to Messrs Ratna Printers for having published the monograph nicely. Lastly, I apologise to indulgent readers for any mistakes that may have crept in.

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