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IV
THE GUPTA PERIOD
Shortly after the decline of the power of the Saka Kşatrapas in Western India, Gujarat passed under the sway of che Gupta empire, It was administered through governors during the reign of Kumāragupta I-Mahendrāditya (circa 414 A. C.-455 A. C.) and Skandagupta Kramāditya (455 A. C.-circa 467 A. C.). During the 5th century South Gujarat was under the sway of the Traikūţaka Kings. As for the chronological system or systems of this period, we find dates on coins and in stone inscriptions. (i) The Gupta Era
The Gupia emperors issued a special currency in silver for this province, in imitation of the silver coins of the Western Kșatrapas. On these coins the tradition of mentioning the year was retained, but the Śaka era was replaced by the Gupta era.'
The earliest silver coins of the Gupta period belong to Candragupta II, who conquered Malwa. The known date on his coins is read G. E. 90 (409-10 A. C.) or 90 + x = i.e. 91 to 94 (410-11 A, C. to 413-14 A. C.), since the king died in about G. E- 942 (413-14 A. C.). Kumāragupta I, the son and successor of Candragupta II, extended his power over Gujarat and issued the silver coinage in Madhya Desa (located in modern U. P.) as well. His successor Skandagupta continued 1. A. S. Altekar, The Coinage of the Gupta Empire, p. 151 2. R. N. Saletore, Life in the Gupta Age, p. 25
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