Question

With reference to the Age of the Guptas, answer the following questions.
Explain how Chandragupta II expanded his empire.

Answer 1

Chandragupta II inherited the military genius of his father and extended the Gupta empire by conquest of his own. He annexed the territories of Sakas of Malwa, Gujarat, and Saurashtra. For this, he was given the title ‘ Sakari’ or conqueror of Sakas. According to noted historian, Dr. Vincent Smith, “the annexation of Saurashtra and Malwa not only added to the empire, provinces of exceptional wealth and fertility but opened up access to the ports of the western coast; and thus placed Chandragupta II in direct touch with the seaborne commerce with Europe through Egypt.” Chandragupta-II entered into matrimonial alliances as a part of his foreign policy. He married Kuberanaga of the Naga family. The Nagas were a powerful ruling clan and this matrimonial alliance helped the Gupta ruler in expanding his empire. The marriage of Chandragupta’s daughter, Prabhavati with the Vakataka ruler, Rudrasena II helped him to establish his political influence in the Deccan.