Who among the following kings is described in an inscription as the Su

Who among the following kings is described in an inscription as the Supreme Being, the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad ?

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Gautamiputra Shatakarni

Kanishka

Samudragupta

Harshavardhana

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2023

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The description provided (“the Supreme Being, the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad”) closely matches the eulogistic language used to describe the Gupta emperor Samudragupta in the Allahabad Pillar inscription (Prashasti), composed by his court poet and minister, Harishena. The inscription portrays Samudragupta as an ideal ruler, a conqueror, learned, and benevolent, often attributing divine qualities to him and presenting him as a force for righteousness (prosperity of the good) and order (destruction of the bad). While other rulers were also praised in inscriptions, this specific phrasing and hyperbolic praise are most famously associated with Samudragupta’s court eulogy.

– Inscriptions and Prashastis are key sources for understanding ancient Indian rulers.
– The Allahabad Pillar inscription is a famous example of a royal eulogy from the Gupta period.

Gautamiputra Shatakarni (Satavahana dynasty) is known from the Nasik inscription by his mother. Kanishka (Kushan dynasty) is known from various inscriptions including the Rabatak inscription. Harshavardhana (Pushyabhuti dynasty) is known from sources like the Harshacharita by Bana and the accounts of Xuanzang. However, the description given is most characteristic of the Allahabad Prashasti’s portrayal of Samudragupta.

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