Mod 2: Chandragupta I — the Licchavi Marriage, the Title Maharajadhiraja, the King-and-Queen Coins and the Gupta Era of 319/320 CE
Concept
13.3 Chandragupta I and the Licchavis
🏫 School level · NCERT Class 6–12 History (the base for UPSC, BPSC, BSSC and other PSC exams)
A marriage that built an empire
Chandragupta I (c. 319–335 CE), son of Ghatotkacha, was the first Gupta to take the imperial title Maharajadhiraja (“great king of kings”). His masterstroke was his marriage to Kumaradevi, a princess of the Licchavis — the old ruling clan of Vaishali in north Bihar.
| Gain | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Territory and resources | Brought north Bihar (and perhaps Nepal valley links) into Gupta control |
| Prestige | The Licchavis were an ancient, famous clan; the Guptas were newcomers |
| Legitimacy for heirs | Samudragupta called himself “Licchavi-dauhitra” (daughter’s son of the Licchavis) |
| Coins | Gold coins show the king and queen together, with “Licchavayah” on the reverse |
- Chandragupta I: first Maharajadhiraja; married Licchavi Kumaradevi.
- King-queen coins (“Licchavayah”); Samudragupta = Licchavi-dauhitra.
- Question: Whom did Chandragupta I marry? Answer: Kumaradevi, a Licchavi princess.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 1: Who was the first ruler of the Gupta Dynasty to assume the imperial title 'Maharajadhiraja'?
[BPSC level] Chandragupta I married the Licchavi princess:
[School] The Licchavis were an old ruling clan of:
[UPSC level] The reverse of the king-and-queen gold coin bears the legend:
[BPSC level] Samudragupta’s proud title showing his Licchavi descent is:
[UPSC level] Many numismatists now think the king-and-queen coins were actually issued by:
[BSSC pattern] Chandragupta I ruled approximately:
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Whom did Chandragupta I marry?
Kumaradevi, a Licchavi princess.Concept
13.4 The Gupta era
🏫 School level · NCERT Class 6–12 History (the base for UPSC, BPSC, BSSC and other PSC exams)
Year 1 = 319/320 CE
Chandragupta I is believed to have started the Gupta era, whose year 1 began in 319/320 CE — probably from his coronation. Gupta inscriptions are dated in this era (“Gupta Samvat”). His kingdom covered Magadha, Prayaga and Saketa — the middle Ganga valley.
- Were the “king-queen” coins issued by Chandragupta I, or by Samudragupta in memory of his parents? Many numismatists (e.g. A. S. Altekar considered both) now favour Samudragupta as issuer.
- Some scholars think the Licchavis may have been ruling at Pataliputra itself, and the marriage brought the capital to the Guptas.
- Al-Biruni (11th century) records that the Gupta era began 241 years after the Saka era — 78 + 241 = 319 CE.
| Era | Year 1 | Founder / link |
|---|---|---|
| Vikrama | 57 BCE | Vikramaditya (tradition) |
| Saka | 78 CE | Kanishka / western Shakas |
| Gupta | 319/320 CE | Chandragupta I |
| Harsha | 606 CE | Harshavardhana |
- Gupta era 319/320 CE (Al-Biruni: Saka + 241).
- Eras: Vikrama 57 BCE, Saka 78 CE, Gupta 319/320, Harsha 606.
- Question: When did the Gupta era start? Answer: 319/320 CE.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 2: In which year was the Gupta Samvat inaugurated by Chandragupta I?
[UPSC level] Who recorded that the Gupta era began 241 years after the Saka era?
[BPSC level] The Harsha era began in:
[UPSC level] Chandragupta I’s kingdom roughly covered:
[BSSC pattern] The Gupta Samvat was most likely counted from Chandragupta I’s:
[UPSC level] One theory says the Licchavi marriage gave the Guptas:
[School] Kumaradevi’s son was:
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
When did the Gupta era start?
319/320 CE.Concept
🎯 UPSC · BPSC · BSSC · State PSC level: PYQs and traps
| Exam | What it asks from this module |
|---|---|
| UPSC | Licchavi alliance; coin debates; Gupta era |
| BPSC | Maharajadhiraja; 319 CE; Kumaradevi (Vaishali) |
| BSSC / SSC | Founder of Gupta era |
The Gupta era was started by: (a) Sri Gupta (b) Chandragupta I (c) Samudragupta (d) Chandragupta II
- Chandragupta I, the first Maharajadhiraja, is credited with the Gupta era beginning 319/320 CE.
- Chandragupta I (Gupta, 4th c. CE) ≠ Chandragupta Maurya (4th c. BCE).
- Kumaradevi was a Licchavi; Prabhavatigupta married a Vakataka.
- Chandragupta I ≠ Chandragupta Maurya.
- Question: What legend is on the reverse of the king-queen coin? Answer: “Licchavayah”.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
[BPSC level] Who started the Gupta era?
[UPSC level] Which statement about Chandragupta I is correct?
[BSSC pattern] The difference between the Saka and Gupta eras is about:
[BPSC level] Which Bihar clan helped the Guptas rise?
[UPSC level] Do not confuse Chandragupta I with:
[School] Gold coins of the Guptas are called:
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
What legend is on the reverse of the king-queen coin?
“Licchavayah”.