Who was the court poet of Samudragupta?

A : Banabhatta
B : Harishen
C : Chand Bardai
D : Bhavabhuti
General Knowledge
Ancient History
Answer
Option 2 : Harishen
Explanation

The correct answer is Harishen.

Key Points

  • Harishena was the court poet of the Gupta Emperor, Samudragupta.
  • Allahabad Pillar inscription is also known as Prayag Prashasti consists of 33 lines composed by Harishena. 
  • Prayag Prashasti is one of the important epigraphic sources to know about the political history of the Gupta dynasty.
  • Samudragupta was a patron of many poets and scholars, one of whom was Harishena.
  • Samudragupta was the son and successor of Chandragupta I and was the greatest ruler of the Gupta dynasty.
  • He conquered the Kushans and other small kingdoms and greatly expanded the Gupta empire.
  • He had been termed as the Nepolean of India by V. A. Smith.
  • He annexed the territories after defeating the monarchs of North India but did not annex south India.
  • His authority over Java, Sumatra, and Malaya Island prove that he maintained a strong navy.
  • He is said to have composed numerous poems.
  • Some of his coins present him playing Veena. 
  • He also performed Ashvamedha sacrifices.
  • According to Chinese sources, Meghaverma, the ruler of Srilanka, sent a missionary to him for permission to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya.
  • The Allahabad pillar inscription mentions the title Dharma Prachar Bandhu i.e. he was the upholder of Brahmanical religion.

Additional Information

  • Banabhatta was the court poet of King Harsha Vardhana.
  • Chand Bardai was the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan.
  • Bhavabhuti was the court poet of the King of Kannauj, Yashovarman.