By the end of the 3rd century CE, the empires of the Kushanas in the north and the Satavahanas in the south had lost their greatness and strength. After their decline, Chandragupta carved out a kingdom and established the Gupta dynastic rule, which lasted for about two hundred years. After the downfall of the Guptas and an interregnum of nearly 50 years, Harsha of the Vardhana dynasty ruled North India from 606 to 647 CE.
1. Foundation of the Gupta Dynasty
- Sri Gupta is considered the founder of the Gupta dynasty. He is believed to have reigned over parts of present-day Bengal and Bihar. He was the first Gupta ruler to be featured on coins.
- He was succeeded by his son Ghatotkacha. Both are mentioned as Maharajas in inscriptions.
Chandragupta I (319–335 CE)
- Married Kumaradevi of the famous and powerful Lichchhavi family.
- With the support of this family he eliminated various small states in northern India and crowned himself monarch of a larger kingdom.
- His gold coins bear the images of Chandragupta, Kumaradevi and the legend 'Lichchhavayah'.
- Lichchhavi was an old gana–sanga; its territory lay between the Ganges and the Nepal Terai.
- Chandragupta I was a contemporary of Constantine the Great, the Roman Emperor who founded Constantinople.