Birth of Samudragupta
Samudragupta, ruler of the Gupta Empire and successor to Chandragupta I, is considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses in Indian history, also known as the "Napoleon of India"
Role range: 0350-0376
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Samudragupta Biography and Timeline
Follow Samudragupta through 32 dated historical records for India.
Samudragupta, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
32Distinct records
1 of 1Page
335–380Years on this page
335
350
Succession
Succeeds as Gupta Emperor
Role range: 0350-0376
Samudragupta Consolidates Gupta Authority
Samudragupta assumed leadership of the Gupta kingdom after Chandragupta I, beginning a reign famous for military expansion and patronage.
Samudragupta Succeeds Chandragupta
Samudragupta inherited the Gupta throne and expanded the dynasty's regional influence.
355
Northern Expedition Defeats Rival Kings
The Prayaga inscription credits Samudragupta with overthrowing multiple kings of northern India and absorbing their territories into Gupta power.
359
Forest Chiefs Accept Gupta Overlordship
The Prayaga eulogy describes rulers of forest territories being compelled to serve Samudragupta, though their individual submission dates are unknown.
360
Prayaga Inscription Praises Campaigns
A celebrated eulogy on the Allahabad pillar records Samudragupta's campaigns and political relationships.
Harishena Composes Imperial Eulogy
The minister and poet Harishena composed the inscription presenting Samudragupta as a victorious ruler.
Achyuta Faces Gupta Expansion
The northern ruler Achyuta appears among the opponents defeated in the reign of Samudragupta.
Ganapatinaga Suffers Defeat
Ganapatinaga was among the northern kings named as overcome in the Gupta royal eulogy.
Nagasena Loses To Guptas
The Prayaga inscription includes Nagasena among northern opponents defeated by Samudragupta.
Mahendra Of Kosala Defeated
Mahendra of Kosala is recorded among the rulers defeated during the southern expedition of Samudragupta.
Vishnugopa Defeated At Kanchi
The ruler Vishnugopa of Kanchi was defeated and later restored during Samudragupta's southern operations.
Hastivarman Recognises Gupta Power
Hastivarman of Vengi was among the southern kings overcome but not permanently annexed by Samudragupta.
Southern Kings Retain Thrones
Gupta policy toward several defeated southern rulers involved restoration and recognition of supremacy rather than annexation.
Samatata Recognises Gupta Standing
The Prayaga inscription names Samatata among frontier polities that acknowledged Samudragupta's authority.
Kamarupa Appears Among Tributaries
Kamarupa was counted among frontier realms expected to acknowledge Gupta power in the royal inscription.
361
Southern Kings Restored as Tributaries
Rather than annex every conquered southern realm, Samudragupta restored defeated rulers and established relationships of political subordination.
362
Samatata Recognises Gupta Supremacy
The Prayaga inscription lists the eastern kingdom of Samatata among frontier states acknowledging the authority of Samudragupta.
Davaka Sends Tribute to Gupta Court
Davaka is named among the frontier polities whose rulers supplied tribute and acknowledged the Gupta emperor in the Prayaga inscription.
Kamarupa Recognises Gupta Overlordship
The north eastern kingdom of Kamarupa appears among the frontier states described as paying homage to Samudragupta.
Nepala Included Among Frontier States
Nepala is among the frontier kingdoms said in the Prayaga inscription to acknowledge Gupta authority, although the relationship is debated.
Karttripura Listed as Tributary
The inscription counts Karttripura among frontier polities subordinate to Samudragupta, while its precise historical location remains uncertain.
363
Yaudheyas Offer Political Submission
The Prayaga inscription lists the Yaudheyas among republican peoples who recognised the ascendancy of Samudragupta.
Malavas Acknowledge Gupta Authority
The Malavas appear among the groups obliged to pay tribute and obey the Gupta sovereign according to the royal eulogy.
Arjunayanas Submit to Gupta Power
The inscription places the Arjunayanas among regional oligarchies that acknowledged Samudraguptas imperial status.
365
Meghavarna Seeks Buddhist Monastery
A Sri Lankan royal mission sought permission to establish a monastery for pilgrims at Bodh Gaya.
Samudragupta Issues Lyrist Coins
Some gold coins depict Samudragupta playing a stringed instrument, a statement of cultivated kingship.
Gupta Coinage Celebrates Victories
The dynasty's gold coin types publicised royal titles, military achievement and ceremonial authority.
370
Gold Coinage Depicts Lyre Playing
A type of Samudraguptas gold coinage depicts the emperor playing a stringed instrument, projecting his image as a cultured royal patron.
375
Succession
Succession of Chandragupta II (often referred to as Vikramaditya or Chandragupta Vikramaditya) one of the most powerful Emperors of the Gupta empire, during which the Gupta empire achieves its zenith
Role range: 0375-0413
380
Death of Samudragupta
Death of Samudragupta, succeeded by his sons Ramagupta and Chandragupta
Role range: 0350-0376
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.