UPSC Prelims 2006 Q144: Ancient History – Gupta Empire
The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with
which one of the following?
- (a) Mahapadma Nanda
- (b) Chandragupta Maurya
- (c) Ashoka
- (d) Samudragupta
Answer: (d) Samudragupta
Explanation
Allahabad Pillar inscription
| Ruler | Link with the Allahabad Pillar |
|---|---|
| Mahapadma Nanda | No |
| Chandragupta Maurya | No |
| Ashoka | His edicts are also on the pillar, but the famous prashasti is another ruler's |
| Samudragupta | The Allahabad Pillar inscription (prashasti) by Harishena describes his conquests |
The Allahabad Pillar inscription, composed by the court poet Harishena, is associated with Samudragupta.
Answer: (d) Samudragupta.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Mahapadma Nanda is not linked with this inscription.
- (b) Incorrect. Chandragupta Maurya left no inscription on this pillar.
- (c) Incorrect. Ashoka's edicts exist on the pillar, but the Allahabad inscription is identified with Samudragupta.
- (d) CORRECT. The Allahabad Pillar inscription (Harishena's prashasti) praises Samudragupta.
Key point
The Allahabad Pillar inscription, composed by Harishena, records the conquests of Samudragupta.
Remember
Allahabad Pillar inscription: Samudragupta (Harishena).
Common mistakes
- Choosing Ashoka because his edicts also stand on the pillar.
- Forgetting the court poet Harishena as the composer.
- Confusing it with the Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman.
Exam tip
Allahabad Pillar: Ashoka's edict plus Harishena's prashasti of Samudragupta.
Sources
- R. S. Sharma — Ancient India (NCERT textbook for Class XI)
- J. F. Fleet — Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Volume III: Inscriptions of the Early Gupta Kings and their Successors (Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Samudragupta