Sri Gupta
Topic: Gupta Empire and the Classical Age · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Sri Gupta is remembered as the founder of the Gupta dynasty. He was followed by his son Ghatotkacha. Both used only the modest title maharaja ("great king"). They were probably small regional rulers in the area of present-day Uttar Pradesh. Their family rose to real power only under Ghatotkacha's son, Chandragupta I (c. 320 CE). Chandragupta I took the much grander title maharajadhiraja.
Example
The Chinese pilgrim Yijing wrote about a king called Sri Gupta. This king built a temple for Chinese Buddhist pilgrims in eastern India. Many historians link this king with the Gupta founder, but the match is not certain.
Don't confuse with
- Chandragupta I: he was Sri Gupta's grandson. He was the first big Gupta ruler, known for the Kumaradevi gold coin and the title maharajadhiraja. Sri Gupta came first, but he was a minor ruler.