Previous Year Question

A. Ashoka — Priyadarsin (2): Ashoka does not use his personal name Ashoka in most of his inscriptions. His edicts generally describe him as Devanampriya Priyadarsin Raja, or in the Prakrit form Devanampiya Piyadassi Raja. ‘Priyadarsin’ is understood in the sense of one who looks graciously or favourably. Inscriptions such as the Maski record are especially important because the occurrence of the name Ashoka helped establish the identification of ‘Devanampriya Priyadarsin’ with Emperor Ashoka.

B. Samudragupta — Parakramank (1): The title Parakramank is associated with Samudragupta. ‘Parakrama’ conveys valour and military prowess. The Prayaga Prashasti and Samudragupta's coins provide evidence of his extensive military achievements and martial ability. Gupta epigraphic and numismatic material associates the epithet Parakramank with Samudragupta.

C. Chandragupta II — Vikramaditya (4): Chandragupta II assumed the title Vikramaditya. Some of his silver coins explicitly carry the designation Chandragupta Vikramaditya. He defeated the Western Kshatrapas and incorporated important areas of Gujarat and western India into the Gupta Empire. Epithets such as Vikrama, Vikramanka and Vikramaditya are also associated with him.

D. Skandagupta — Kramaditya (3): The Aditya-title of Skandagupta was Kramaditya. Numismatic evidence associates this name with Skandagupta. Skandagupta succeeded Kumaragupta I, and during his reign the Gupta Empire faced serious external as well as internal challenges.