Narsimhagupta

Narsimhagupta
Gupta Emperor
Reignc. 495–c. 530
PredecessorBudhagupta
SuccessorKumaragupta III
SpouseShrimitradevi
HouseGupta
FatherPurugupta
ReligionVaishnavism

Narsimhagupta also known as Narsimhagupta Baladitya was Gupta Emperor from 495 to 530 CE. He was son of Purugupta and successor of Budhagupta. He is known to have played a very crucial part in defeating the Hun ruler, Mihirakula in the Battle of Sondani. He was succeeded by his son Kumaragupta III.

Defeat of the Huns

Chinese monk Xuanzang records that Narasimhagupta paid tribute to Huna king Mihirakula.

Subsequently, Baladitya, supported by Yasodharman of Malwa, drove Alchon Huns out of the northern provinces of India. A melodramatic account is rendered by Xuanzang circa 630 CE (ca 100 years afterwards). He also mentioned that Mihirakula had overrun nearly the whole of India with the exception of one island on which the king of Magadha, named Baladitya (presumably Narasimhagupta Baladitya), fled for refuge. Later, an Indian king captured Mihirakula but spared his life. Mihirakula then returned to Kashmir and reclaimed his throne.

Bhanugupta, who was the governor of Malwa under Narasimhagupta, may have also been involved in this battle.

References

  1. ↑ Allen, John (1914). Catalogue of the coins of the Gupta dynasties. p. 137.
  2. ↑ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 221. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
  3. ↑ Indian History. p. 396. ISBN 978-1-259-06323-7.
  4. ↑ Jain, Kailash Chand (1972-12-31). Malwa Through The Ages. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 249. ISBN 978-81-208-0824-9.
  5. ↑ Agrawal, Ashvini (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 245. ISBN 978-81-208-0592-7.
  6. ↑ Neelis, Jason (2010-11-19). Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks. BRILL. p. 168. ISBN 978-90-04-18159-5.