SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN OF SAMUDRAGUPTA

During his career of more than two decades, Samudragupta invaded South India more than once and it is his important campaign.

Altogether 12 Kings and Princes of the South (Dakshinapatha) are listed in the inscription. In the case of the Kings of this area, he followed the policy of first capturing the Kings, then releasing them from captivity and reinstating them as Kings in their territory. By showing royal mercy he won their allegiance. (Being a shrewd ruler, he realized that he could not permanently rule over such distant regions, but it was the wealth of the Deccan which attracted him).

For his South Indian Campaign, Samudragupta proceeded through the eastern and southern parts of Madhyadesha to Orissa and then advanced along the Eastern coast and reached Kanchi and beyond and returned to his capital by way of Maharashtra and Khandesh.

After these conquests, he performed Ashvamedha Yajna. On this occasion, he issued gold coins depiction the sacrificial horse bearing the legend conveying that he performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

The Allahabad Pillar inscription also lists fourteen kingdoms bordering his kingdom. These rulers paid tribute, followed his orders and showed their obedience by attending his court. These were located in Eastern Rajasthan, Northern Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Nepal. Further, some forest kings (Atavika Rajas) are mentioned whom Samudragupta had made his ‘paricharaka’ (helpers).

Another group of political powers listed in the inscription are Kushanas, Sakas, Murundas as well as Simhalas (Srilanka) and inhabitants of other islands. These rulers sent embassies to Samudragupta’s court. According to a Chinese source, Meghavarna, King of Srilanka, sent and embassy to Samudragupta for his permission to build a monastery and guest house for Buddhist pilgrims at Bodhgaya.

Samudragupta launched several expeditions to the south. It is impossible to determine which states were humbled in which campaign and consequently the routes of his invasions cannot be determined. It is quite possible that some of the coastal states like Kanchi and Kerala were invaded directly by sea route with the help of the imperial navy.