Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta I, who ascended the throne after defeating his rival Kacha, an obscure prince of the dynasty. He ruled from around AD 335 to 380; we know of his conquests from a rock pillar at Allahabad and a lengthy poem of praise composed by his court-poet Harishena.
It seems that Samudragupta had directly controlled a large part of the Indo-Gangetic Plain as well as a considerable part of central India. As per the inscription on the pillar at Allahabad, Samudragupta appears to have been a wise king and a strict administrator, who was also compassionate enough to help the poor and the helpless. He had great interest in music and poetry. Some of his gold coins represent him playing on the lyre.
Harishena, his court poet describes him as the hero of a hundred battles; no Wonder historians call him the ‘Napoleon of India’.
Picture Credit : Google