Question

There were twelve rulers in Dakshinapatha.
a. True
b. False

Answer 1

Hint:
Dakshinapatha literally means “Towards South” and refers to the Samudragupta’s military expedition towards South or in south India to defeat few south Indian Kingdoms, he defeated the kings, but gave them their territories back. He only demanded that they respect his suzerainty.

Complete step by step solution:

Samudragupta ( 335-380 AD)
- He was the son of Chandragupta— I and Kumaradevi.
- In 335 AD, he ascended the throne.
- Before his death, perhaps 4 or 5 years earlier, Chandragupta-I had publicly declared that Samudragupta would be his successor and hence abdicate the throne in his favour.
- This was justified by the killer instincts of Samudragupta, who demonstrated a greater degree of ability in the arts of both peace and battle.
- Samudragupta was the greatest king of the Gupta Dynasty and ruled until about AD 380.
- Western historians assimilate him to Napoleon and name him Indian Napoleon because of his vast military conquests.
- His court poet and minister Harisena wrote the Inscription or Prayag Prasasti pillar of Allahabad. The Pillar was the Ashokan Pillar, erected six centuries before him by Ashoka.

- Three stages of his military campaign:
1. Against some of the rulers of North India
2. His famous Dakshinapatha expedition against the 12 rulers of South India
3. A second campaign against some of the other North Indian kings.

- The policy of Samudragupta in South India was distinct. He did not destroy and annex the realms. Instead, he defeated the kings, but gave them their territories back. He only demanded that they respect his suzerainty.


Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
Allahabad Inscriptions explains a lot about the reign of Samudragupta:
It explains his identities and accomplishments.This inscription is etched on the pillar of Asoka.
Written in classic Sanskrit, using the Nagari script.It is made up of 33 lines written by Harisena.
It outlines the circumstances of Samudragupta 's accession, his military campaigns in North India and the Deccan, his alliance with other contemporary kings, and his achievements as a poet and scholar.