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67th BPSC (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2022

Gupta Dynastic History

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which Gupta ruler assumed the throne after killing his elder brother?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Succession in ancient empires was sometimes marked by internal family conflict, especially when the designated heir was perceived as weak or incompetent during a crisis.

Explanation Chandragupta II assumed the throne after a coup against his elder brother Ramagupta. This event is narrated in the Sanskrit play *Devichandraguptam
by Vishakhadatta.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Ramagupta was supposedly a weak ruler who agreed to surrender his wife, Dhruvadevi, to a Saka king as ransom.
Logic 2: Chandragupta II famously disguised himself as the queen, entered the Saka camp, and killed the king. He later killed Ramagupta and married Dhruvadevi.
Logic 3: Following this, he unified the Gupta empire and adopted the title 'Vikramaditya'.

Active Recall

Question

Which literary work provides the details of the Chandragupta-Ramagupta conflict?

Answer

The play 'Devichandraguptam' by Vishakhadatta is the primary source for this historical narrative.

Core Insight

The replacement of Ramagupta by Chandragupta II illustrates a moment where military pragmatism and personal honor overrode traditional genealogical succession.

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