In 395 AD, Chandragupta II defeated and killed Rudrasena III, a Shaka king of west India. When he took over the Shaka territory, he made Ujjain a second capital, and called himself Vikramaditya. The name was a combination of two words vikrama and aditya that meant ‘valour’ and ‘sun’ respectively.
Chandragupta II, the son of Samudragupta and grandson of Chandragupta I was the greatest ruler of the Gupta dynasty. One of the finest rulers of India who spearheaded the policy of world conquest, he reigned between AD 380 – 412.
An iron pillar was discovered at Mehrauli near Qutub Minar at Delhi that bears a Sanskrit inscription which refers to a king Chandra who defeated the kings of Vanga. This king has now been identified as Chandragupta II. His diplomatic skill played a major role in consolidating his power and establishing him as a successful ruler.
His subjects enjoyed peace and relative prosperity. He also patronized learning; astronomer Varahamihira and the Sanskrit poet and dramatist Kalidasa were his courtiers.
Picture Credit : Google