the name of two ancient Indian rulers belonging to the Gupta dynasty.
Chandragupta I. Ruled from 320 to about 340, according to some sources.
Descended from a family of minor rulers of Magadha, Chandragupta I strengthened his position and became ruler of all Magadha by military conquest and the conduct of a successful foreign policy; particularly important was his marriage to Princess Kumara Devi of the Lichchhavi tribe. Chandragupta founded the Gupta empire; the Gupta Era, which began with his accession, was widely used as a chronological frame of reference in ancient and medieval India.
Chandragupta II. Grandson of Chandragupta I. Ruled from 380 to 415, according to some sources.
Chandragupta II ascended the throne after deposing his older brother Ramagupta. He thus inherited a fully developed empire, which he subsequently greatly enlarged. His most important territorial gain was the conquest of the “state of the western rulers” (Gujarat), which gave the empire access to the Arabian Sea. Chandragupta’s reign marked the height of Gupta power and was a period of economic well-being for ancient India. Moreover, his rule, which has come to be known as the Golden Age of the Guptas, was a time during which ancient Indian culture flourished.