Samudragupta: The 'Golden Age' King Who Conquered 21 Kingdoms

• Samudragupta, an emperor of the Gupta dynasty, is known as the king whose horses drank from three oceans, symbolizing his vast conquests.
• He unified a fragmented India, defeating 21 kings across Aryavarta and South India, establishing a vast and stable empire.
• Despite internal palace conflicts and an elder brother's claim, Samudragupta seized power and was called 'Sarvarajochchhetta' (exterminator of all kings).
• Beyond warfare, he was a patron of art and culture, depicted playing the veena, and his reign is considered India's 'Golden Age'.
• His Ashwamedha Yajna and military campaigns, described in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, were crucial for India's political unification.