DECLINE OF GUPTAS

LAST EMPERORS OF GUPTA DYNASTY

SKANDHAGUPTA:

           "Skandhagupta" was one of the great gupta emperor, who succeeded the throne after his father Kumaragupta. It was mentioned in the Bhitari pillar inscription that he was the successor of Kumaragupta. Like his father, he reigned the inherited empire during 455 CE- 467 CE.  There is huge information discovered on his reign and conquests. But, it is said that he defeated Huns, tribal people of central Asia who defeated Roman dynasty and who had been a torture for Gupta empire for years.

 

Bhitari pillar inscriptions

          Skandhagupta didn't destroyed or Conquered the Huns completely. But, the Huns recurrently invaded. The continous battle with Huns strained the coffers of his empire. Skandhagupta was consider to be the last powerful emperor. There is no much evidence of his Successors and their battles and conquests. In his reign, the gupta empire started to decline. According to some evidence of inscriptions, his Successor was Purugupta.

PURUGUPTA:

           "Purugupta" was the half-brother of Skandhagupta and he was the son of Kumaragupta and queen Anantadevi. There is no much evidence on his reign and conquest. 

NARASIMHA GUPTA:

            "Narasimhagupta Baladhithya" was the son of Purugupta. He succeeded the throne after his brother Buddhagupta. He was considered to be an important ruler during the last declining age of gupta dynasty. He supported many buddhist schloars. According to the chinese monk Xuanzang's report, Narasimha gupta paid tribute to the Hun king Mihirakula. The chinese monk also mentioned that the Hun king ruled the whole world except an island named Baldhitya and he was later captured by an Indian king, who later spared his life.  Narasimhagupta was succeeded by Kumaragupta III. 

The last king of gupta dynasty was Vishugupta who reigned during the years of 540 CE - 550 CE. Thus, the great gupta dynasty came to an end. 

CAUSE OF DECLINE:

     The invasion of Huns was considered to be the main cause for the decline of Gupta dynasty. The battles with Huns caused the destruction of the empire, it emptiedthe coffers of the empire. Thus, it led to end of the great golden age of india. The Vakataka kingdom was also considered to be one of the cause for the decline. 

      After guptas, VARADHAN KINGDOM came to power.