A ‘prashasti’ is a specific kind of historical source derived from ancient India. The term ‘prashasti’ is a Sanskrit word that translates to “in praise of”. These are essentially inscriptions that sing the praises of rulers, documenting their achievements, lineages, and qualities, sometimes in hyperbolic terms. While prashastis offer a detailed insight into the reign and prowess of rulers, they need to be read critically, as they were primarily written to glorify the ruler’s image.

The case in point is the prashasti of Samudragupta, a renowned ruler from the Gupta dynasty. The information about his reign and conquests primarily comes from a lengthy inscription on the Ashokan pillar in Allahabad. This inscription, composed as a Kavya by Harishena, who was both a poet and a minister at Samudragupta’s court, provides a vivid account of Samudragupta’s exploits.

From the prashasti, we learn a few major points about Samudragupta:

His Prowess In Battle

Samudragupta was depicted as a warrior king. The prashasti goes to lengths to describe the scars he bore from various weapons like battle-axes, arrows, spears, and swords, indicating his involvement in fierce battles. Such descriptions were meant to highlight the bravery and valour of the king.

His Territorial Conquests

The prashasti categorises rulers and regions based on their interactions and relations with Samudragupta: