Who among the following Gupta kings granted permission to Meghaverman, the ruler of Sri Lanka to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya?

1. Origins of the Gupta Dynasty: Chandragupta I (basic)

Welcome to your first step in mastering the Gupta Empire! To understand how this "Golden Age" began, we must look back at the early 4th century CE. After the decline of the Mauryan and Kushan powers, North India was fragmented into several small kingdoms. Out of this vacuum emerged the Gupta Dynasty. While Sri Gupta (240–280 CE) is recognized as the founder, followed by his son Ghatotkacha, they were likely local chieftains or subordinate rulers. This is evident because they held the relatively modest title of Maharaja History, Class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p.90.

The real turning point came with Chandragupta I (reign 319–335 CE), the son of Ghatotkacha. He is celebrated as the first great king of the dynasty because he elevated the family from local rulers to imperial sovereigns. To signal this shift in status, he adopted the high-sounding title of Maharajadhiraja (Great King over other Kings). Unlike his predecessors, this title suggested supreme authority and superiority over other minor kings Exploring Society: India and Beyond, NCERT (Revised ed 2025), p.154. Historians often mark the year 319 CE—the beginning of his reign—as the start of the Gupta Era.

Chandragupta I didn't just rely on titles; he used strategic alliances and military strength to consolidate power. One of his most significant moves was a matrimonial alliance with the powerful Lichchhavi family, which significantly boosted his prestige and territorial control in the Magadha region. His reign saw the introduction of gold coins, which served as powerful tools of propaganda, announcing his sovereignty to the world Exploring Society: India and Beyond, NCERT (Revised ed 2025), p.149. By the time he passed the throne to his son, Samudragupta, he had laid a rock-solid foundation for what would become one of India's most expansive empires.

Ruler	Title Adopted	Significance
Sri Gupta & Ghatotkacha	Maharaja	Early founders; likely local or feudal lords.
Chandragupta I	Maharajadhiraja	First imperial ruler; established the Gupta Era.

Sources: History, Class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7: The Guptas, p.90; Exploring Society: India and Beyond, NCERT (Revised ed 2025), The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity, p.154; Exploring Society: India and Beyond, NCERT (Revised ed 2025), The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity, p.149

2. Samudragupta's Conquests and the Prayag Prashasti (intermediate)

To understand the rise of the Gupta Empire to its peak, we must look at Samudragupta, the son of Chandragupta I. He was not merely a king but a military genius whose life is chronicled in one of the most important epigraphic sources of ancient India: the Prayag Prashasti (also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription). Composed by his court poet Harisena in 33 lines of elegant Sanskrit, this inscription is engraved on the same pillar that carries the edicts of Ashoka, symbolically linking the Guptas to the imperial tradition of the past History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p.89. Unlike Ashoka’s messages of peace, however, Samudragupta’s Prashasti (eulogy) is a detailed record of relentless military expansion and political pragmatism THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Kings, Farmers and Towns, p.37.

Samudragupta’s conquests were not a simple land grab; they were governed by a sophisticated geopolitical strategy. In the North (Aryavarta), he practiced a policy of Prasabhadharana (violent extermination), where he uprooted kings and annexed their territories directly into his empire. In contrast, for the 12 kings of South India (Dakshinapatha), he adopted a far more visionary policy known as Grahana-Moksha-Anugraha. This meant he first captured the kings (Grahana), then released them (Moksha), and finally reinstated them as feudatories (Anugraha). This allowed him to enjoy the wealth and tribute of the South without the administrative burden of governing distant lands from his capital at Pataliputra Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), The Gupta Era, p.150.

Region	Policy Adopted	Outcome
Aryavarta (North)	Direct Annexation	Complete integration into the Gupta heartland.
Dakshinapatha (South)	Suzerainty (Tribute-based)	Kings remained local rulers but paid homage to the Guptas.
Frontier States (Pratyanta)	Submission & Tribute	States like Assam and Nepal acted as buffer zones.

Beyond the battlefield, Samudragupta was a man of culture and diplomacy. He was a talented musician, often depicted on gold coins playing the Veena, and he earned the title Kaviraja (King of Poets) Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), The Gupta Era, p.150. His international prestige was so high that King Meghavarman of Sri Lanka sent a missionary with rich gifts to request permission to build a Buddhist monastery at Bodh Gaya for Sinhalese pilgrims—a request Samudragupta graciously granted History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p.92. To crown his achievements, he performed the Ashvamedha (horse-sacrifice) ritual, a Vedic ceremony that proclaimed him the undisputed 'Chakravartin' or universal monarch of the subcontinent.

Sources: History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7: The Guptas, p.89, 92; THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Kings, Farmers and Towns, p.37; Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity, p.150

3. Gupta Administration and Social Life (intermediate)

The Gupta administration was a sophisticated blend of centralized authority and decentralized regional governance. At the apex stood the King, who adopted grand titles like Maharajadhiraja (King of Kings) and Parama-bhattaraka to project supreme power. Interestingly, the Guptas emphasized a semi-divine status, using epithets such as Parama-daivata (foremost worshipper of gods) and Paramabhagavata (foremost worshipper of Vasudeva Krishna), suggesting that the monarch was a representative of the divine on earth History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p.93.

To manage their vast territories, the empire was structured into a clear hierarchy. The primary administrative division was the province, known as Bhukti or Desha. These were governed by Uparikas, who were often members of the royal family or high-ranking officials appointed directly by the king. These provinces were further subdivided into districts called Visayas, managed by Vishyapatis. A notable feature of this system was the Uparika's control over military resources, including elephants and cavalry, which allowed for maintaining order at the regional level History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p.94.

Administrative Level	Unit Name	Officer-in-Charge
Province	Bhukti / Desha	Uparika
District	Visaya	Vishyapati
Village	Grama	Gramika

Socially, the Gupta period is often celebrated as a "Golden Age" of intellectual and cultural flowering. The court of Chandragupta II was famous for the Navaratnas (Nine Jewels), a group of nine eminent scholars including the legendary poet Kalidasa and the physician Dhanvantari History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p.93. Despite the royal family's personal leanings toward Vaishnavism, they practiced remarkable religious tolerance. For instance, Samudragupta permitted the King of Sri Lanka to build a Buddhist monastery at Bodh Gaya, and Kumara Gupta I laid the foundation for the world-renowned Nalanda University History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p.92-93.

Sources: History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7: The Guptas, p.92-94

4. Religious Policy: Synthesis of Brahmanism and Buddhism (intermediate)

The Gupta period is often celebrated as a 'Classical Age' not because it replaced one religion with another, but because it achieved a remarkable religious synthesis. While the Gupta monarchs were primarily 'Parama-Bhagavatas' (devotees of Vishnu) who revived ancient Vedic rituals like the Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice) to assert their power Themes in Indian History Part I, Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings, p.84, they maintained a policy of sophisticated tolerance. This era wasn't just about the 'Hindu Renaissance'; it was a time when Brahmanism and Buddhism existed in a state of mutual intellectual and cultural exchange.

A defining example of this synthesis is the diplomatic relationship between Samudragupta and the Sri Lankan King Meghavarman. Despite Samudragupta's deep roots in Brahmanical tradition, he granted Meghavarman permission to build a Buddhist monastery and temple at Bodh Gaya to support Sinhalese pilgrims History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board), Samudragupta, p.92. This reflects a state policy where the king acted as a universal protector of all faiths, ensuring that the holy sites of Buddhism flourished even as the court performed Vedic yajñas (sacrifices).

This spirit of synthesis extended into the intellectual realm through the shared use of Sanskrit. Although Sanskrit was the traditional language of the Vedas and Upanishads Exploring Society, Class VI, India's Cultural Roots, p.109, it became the lingua franca for Buddhist scholars as well. For instance, the Buddhist scholar Chandrogomia composed the Chandravyakaranam (a book on grammar), and Amarasimha, also a Buddhist, compiled the famous Sanskrit thesaurus, the Amarakosa History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board), The Guptas, p.99. This cross-pollination created a unified 'Classical' culture where religious identity did not bar one from contributing to the empire's intellectual life.

Aspect	Brahmanical Element	Buddhist Element
Royal Rituals	Performance of Ashvamedha to signal imperial sovereignty.	State-sanctioned construction of monasteries (e.g., at Bodh Gaya).
Language	Revival of Sanskrit grammar (Patanjali/Panini tradition).	Buddhist scholars (Amarasimha) writing major works in Sanskrit.
Philosophy	Focus on Brahman (divine essence) and Karma.	Growth of Mahayana logic and monastic universities like Nalanda.

Sources: Themes in Indian History Part I, Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings, p.84; History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board), The Guptas, p.92, 99; Exploring Society, Class VI, India's Cultural Roots, p.109

5. Frontier States and Foreign Relations (exam-level)

At the height of the Gupta Empire, Samudragupta (r. 335–375 CE) established a sophisticated multi-tiered foreign policy that transformed the Gupta state from a regional power into a pan-Indian empire. Unlike the 'violent uprooting' of the kings in the heartland of Northern India, Samudragupta adopted a more nuanced approach toward the Pratyantas (frontier states). These included regions like Kāmarūpa (modern Assam), Nepal, and various tribal republics in Rajasthan and Punjab. These states were allowed to remain semi-autonomous as long as they paid tribute, obeyed imperial commands, and performed homage to the Gupta throne History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p. 90-92.

One of the most significant diplomatic milestones of this era was the relationship with Sri Lanka (Simhala). The Sri Lankan King, Meghavarman, sent a missionary carrying rich presents to Samudragupta's court. His request was specific: permission to build a Buddhist monastery and temple at Bodh Gaya for the benefit of Sinhalese pilgrims. Samudragupta’s grant of this request serves as a testament to the Gupta Empire's international prestige and his own policy of religious tolerance, despite being a staunch follower of Brahmanical Hinduism who performed the Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice) to celebrate his conquests History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p. 92.

However, this expansion had long-term strategic consequences. By subjugating the tribal republics of the west (such as the Malavas and Yaudheyas), Samudragupta inadvertently dismantled the 'buffer zones' that had historically protected the Indian heartland from northwestern incursions. This political vacuum in the Punjab and Rajasthan regions eventually eased the path for the devastating Hun invasions in the later Gupta period History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p. 92. While the Sakas of Western India remained unconquered during his reign, the diplomatic reach of the 'Napoleon of India' ensured that even distant powers like the Kushanas felt the weight of Gupta influence.

Category of State	Samudragupta's Policy	Key Regions/Rulers
Aryavarta (North)	Direct Annexation (Violent Uprooting)	Upper Ganges Plain Kings
Dakshinapatha (South)	Capture and Liberation (Vassalage)	Pallava King of Kanchi
Frontier (Pratyanta)	Tribute and Obedience	Nepal, Kāmarūpa, Tribal Republics
Foreign Powers	Diplomatic Alliances	Meghavarman of Sri Lanka, Kushanas

Sources: History, Class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7: The Guptas, p.90-92; Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science-Class VII. NCERT (Revised ed 2025), The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity, p.164

6. The Sinhalese Connection: King Meghavarman at Gaya (exam-level)

While Samudragupta is immortalized in the Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar inscription) as a relentless conqueror who 'violently uprooted' kings of the north and forced southern kings to pay homage, his reign was equally defined by sophisticated diplomacy History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p.90. A standout example of this international prestige is the relationship between the Gupta court and the island kingdom of Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon or Lanka).

The Sinhalese ruler, King Meghavarman, sent a diplomatic mission to Samudragupta’s court bearing rich gifts and a specific request: permission to build a Buddhist monastery and temple at Gaya. This was intended to serve as a rest-house and spiritual center for Sinhalese pilgrims visiting the Mahabodhi Stupa, the sacred site where the Buddha attained enlightenment Exploring Society:India and Beyond, NCERT(Revised ed 2025), How the Land Becomes Sacred, p.169. Samudragupta granted this request, demonstrating a strategic religious tolerance. Even though the Gupta monarchs were champions of Vedic traditions and performed the Ashvamedha (horse-sacrifice) to legitimize their rule, they recognized the cultural and political value of patronizing Buddhist sites to maintain international goodwill History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7, p.92.

Aspect	Samudragupta's Approach
Military	Conquered the Ganges plain and campaigned as far south as Kanchipuram.
Religious	Patronized Vedic rituals (Ashvamedha) but allowed Buddhist construction at Gaya.
Diplomacy	Maintained relations with foreign powers like the Kushanas, Sakas, and Sinhalese.

Sources: History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 7: The Guptas, p.90-92; Exploring Society:India and Beyond , Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), How the Land Becomes Sacred, p.169

7. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

This question beautifully synthesizes what you have learned about the Gupta Empire's foreign policy and their religious pluralism. You previously studied the Prayaga Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription), which lists various kingdoms that paid homage to the Gupta throne. Among these were the Saimhalakas (people of Sri Lanka). The question tests your ability to connect that broad diplomatic reach to a specific historical act: the request by the Sinhalese King Meghavarman to establish a Buddhist monastery at Gaya for pilgrims. This event, recorded by Chinese sources, illustrates that despite being a devotee of Vishnu, Samudragupta maintained the Ashokan legacy of supporting Buddhist institutions.

To arrive at the correct answer, (B) Samudragupta, you must look for the ruler whose reign marked the peak of both military expansion and international prestige. As the 'Napoleon of India', his influence was so formidable that distant rulers sought his patronage. When Meghavarman sent a missionary with rich gifts to the Gupta court, it was a strategic move to secure the safety and comfort of Sri Lankan monks at Bodh Gaya. Reasoning through this, you can see that such a grant of land at a site as significant as Gaya could only be authorized by the paramount sovereign of Northern India at the time.

UPSC often uses the other great Gupta monarchs as distractors because of their similar fame. Chandragupta I (A) is the 'Maharajadhiraja' who laid the foundation but did not yet possess the pan-Indian diplomatic reach seen here. Chandragupta II (C) is often associated with the visit of Fa-Hien, which might tempt you to pick him for a Buddhist-related question, but the specific diplomatic exchange with Sri Lanka is a hallmark of his father's era. Lastly, Skandagupta (D) reigned during a period of Huna invasions and internal stress, focusing more on defense than on expanding international religious foundations as seen in History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board 2024 ed.).