Napoleon, the famous French lieutenant is known for his conquests. During his reign the French became more powerful. Similar to Alexander the Great, Napoleon too conquered the whole world. That gave hime the title called "Napoleon the Great." Napoleon started his conquests from the year 1799 till his death in 1814. This period is also known as the "Napoleonic Era." But do you know that there was an Indian king who conquered almost all the kingdoms in every direction? This Indian king was also called "Indian Napoleon." Who is the Napoleon of India? Why was he called the Indian Napoleon? What were the similarities between him and the Napoleon? To know more about this Indian Napoleon of ancient India. We must travel back to the medieval period.
Napoleon of Ancient India
Samudragupta is called Napoleon of India. He was the greatest emperor in the Gupta dynasty. The Gupta Dynasty was founded by Sri Gupta in the year 240 CE. Sri Gupta ruled the empire between 240 CE to 280 CE.
Sri Gupta was followed by his son Ghatotkacha (280-319 CE) and later his son Chandragupta (319-335 CE). Samudragupta was the son of Chandragupta I, who was born in the year 318 CE. Samudragupta ruled the Gupta empire from 335 CE to 375 CE. Of all the emperors in the Gupta dynasty, Samudragupta is the most prominent and great emperor. He increased the political authority of his dynasty.
Chandragupta selected Samudragupta as his successor because of his righteous conduct, devotion, and valor. During his reign, he inscribed on Eran's stones the greatest events of the Gupta empire, his great invasions, etc.
Who called Samudragupta as Napoleon of India?
Samudragupta, the Gupta emperor who ruled from around 335 to 375 CE, was often referred to as the "Napoleon of India" by the British historian Vincent Arthur Smith. Vincent Arthur Smith, in his work "The Early History of India," published in 1904, drew a parallel between Samudragupta and Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader.
The comparison likely stems from the military achievements and strategic brilliance of both figures. Samudragupta was known for his military campaigns, which expanded the Gupta Empire to its zenith, covering a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent. Similarly, Napoleon Bonaparte was renowned for his military conquests in Europe during the Napoleonic Wars.
It's important to note that historical comparisons between figures from different regions and time periods are often made to illustrate certain qualities or achievements rather than suggesting a direct similarity in their lives or circumstances. The title "Napoleon of India" for Samudragupta reflects his military prowess and successful expansion of the Gupta Empire.
Why Samudragupta called Napoleon of India?
The credit goes to his court poet, Buddhist monk, and his minister Harisena. He made large inscriptions about the greatness of the emperor. The inscription is there at the Ashokan pillar at Allahabad. The inscription is a different type known as prashasti, which is known as "in praise of" in Sanskrit.
Apart from this Samudragupta got this title because of his military conquests and expansion of the empire. Here are some reasons why he earned this title:
- Military conquests: Samudragupta is famous for his military campaigns and conquests. He defeated many neighboring kingdoms and expanded the Gupta empire to a great extent. His military victories and conquests were similar to Napoleon Bonaparte's conquests in Europe.
- Strategic military tactics: Like Napoleon, Samudragupta was known for his strategic military tactics. He used both diplomatic negotiations and military force to achieve his objectives. He was also skilled in using his military resources to maximum advantage like Napoleon.
- Patronage of arts and literature: Samudragupta was not only a warrior but also a patron of arts and literature. He was a poet and musician. He also supported many artists and scholars. Similarly, Napoleon was a patron of arts, science, and literature.
- Building of monuments: Samudragupta built many monuments that include the famous Allahabad Pillar. Similarly, Napoleon is known for his monumental structure Arc de Triomphe.
Overall, Samudragupta's military conquests, strategic tactics, patronage of arts, and building of monuments have earned him the title of "Indian Napoleon."
Conquering India
The Napoleon of India is famous for his numerous military campaigns. In his initial conquests, Samudragupta focused on the border kingdoms that existed at his time. He also made the forest state (atavika rajya) of central India his servants after conquering their kingdom.
Many northeastern kings paid tribute and gave obeisance to the Gupta emperor so that they can avoid war with the greatest emperor of India. The chief republics of north-west India also paid tribute and gave obeisance to the Indian Napoleon. Through this, he conquered the northern part of India.
Later, he started conquering the southern part of India. He captured many kings of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and the eastern and south-eastern coasts of India. Later he released them and make them his feudal lords.
By making these kings his feudal lord, our Indian Napoleon became the greatest monopoly of India. After conquering all the Indian kingdoms, Samudragupta started his conquest against Sri Lanka, Java, Sumatra, and other kingdoms. He never gets defeated in any of the wars.
Samudragupta was not only a great warrior but was also a great poet, and musician. During his reign, many coins were inscribed with Sanskrit language legends.
Also Read: Kempegowda: Founder of the Bangalore City
The Musical King
Samudragupta was not only a great warrior but also a great musician. Samudragupta was a skilled 'Veena' player. He has also a title called "Kaviraja." During his reign, he supported many artists, poets, and literature.
Coins of Samudragupta
Samudragupta inscribed many coins on which the Sanskrit language legends are inscribed. They are:
Standard Coin
On this coin, the emperor Samudragupta wears Scythian-style cloaks, caps, and breeches, as well as an Indian-style necklace and earrings. He also has a halo around his head. The coin depicts a garuda on top, the symbol of the Gupta empire.
On the head side of the coin, it is written as Samara-shata-vitata-vijayo jita-aripuranto-divam-jayati. The meaning of this inscription is "The conqueror of his opponent's unconquered fortresses, whose victory was extended across hundreds of battles, conquers heaven."
Archer Type
The Archer type is the famous currency type in the Gupta currency. The head side of the coin is inscribed with a substantial portion of the head legend. The legend reads as "Apratiratha vijitya kshitim sucharitair divam jayati." The meaning is "Unopposed by enemy chariots, he conquers the earth, and by his good actions, he conquers heaven."
Battle-axe Type
The coin depicts a king standing to the left, wearing a close-fitting cap, tailed coat, trousers, and a sword hanging on his left side. The king holds a battle-axe (Parashu) with his left hand and places his right hand on his waist. The coin also has Vamana at left, facing right, and holding a crescent-topped standard.
Lyricist Type
This coin a resemblance to his musical talent. Samudragupta wears a waistcoat and is seated cross-legged on a couch, playing the veena on his knees. The gold coin attests to the instrument's popularity, as well as the king's interest in music and the arts.
Other Nicknames
King of Poets
Uprooter of Kings
The reason for this claim is a title for Kacha in his coins that means "uprooter of all rulers" this title is only used for Samudragupta. Because he was the only Gupta emperor that had ever accomplished such wide conquests.
Conclusion
Historian A.V. Smith called him Napoleon of India because of his great military conquests that are mentioned in the "Praja Prashasti" by Harisena. But many Indian historians criticize Smith because Samudragupta was a far more great warrior than Napoleon Bonaparte.
Because Samudragupta was never defeated in any of his wars whereas Napoleon was defeated in the battle of Waterloo. So, Samudragupta is far greater and the greatest warrior than Napoleon. In my opinion, Napoleon Bonaparte was even called the French Samudragupta.
