[Solved] Chandragupta II's Ascent: The Ramagupta Coup

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

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

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

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.

Authentic Source Evidence

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

Analytical Breakdown

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'.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

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

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

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

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

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