376 On the Epoch of the Gupta Dynasty, [No. 5. 



nological list of the entire succession. In this he places SH Gupta 

 under Anno Gupta — thereby, in effect, making this individual the 

 prominent founder of the Boyal race of Guptas, a position scarcely 

 in accord with the terms in which this person is spoken of in the 

 family records on the Allahabad and Bhitari columns,* or altogether 

 in unison with the modest titles assumed by himself and his im- 

 mediate successor. f The dynastic inscriptions concede but scant 

 honor to these members of the race and only elevate Chandra 

 Gupta 1st to the dignity of Mah&rdjadhiraja. 



I now approach the arguments mainly relied on, which are thus 

 urged against me. " The direct evidence of the period when the 

 Guptas nourished is derived from the Chinese. In A. D. 428, the 

 king of Kapila, was named Yue-gai or moon-beloved which is a syno- 

 nyme of Chandra Gupta, or moon-cherished '."J I am disposed to 



* The Rev. W. H. Mill in commenting on the Allahabad Column Inscription, 

 expresses himself as follows. * * But the inscription gives us the names also 

 of the prince and his immediate progenitors : and in accordance with the above- 

 mentioned account, while we find his * * * ancestors, his grandfather and 

 great-grandfather designated only by the honorific epithet Maharaja, which would 

 characterize their royal descent and rights — the king himself (Samudra Gupta) 

 and his father are distinguished by the title of Maharaja Adhirdja, which indicates 

 actual sovereignty. And the, last mentioned circumstance might lead some to con- 

 jecture, that the restoration of royalty in the house began with the father named 

 Chandra Gupta. J. A, S. B. III. p. 266 [see also Bhitari Lat Inscription, J. A. 

 S., B. VI. p. 6, and Revised Allahabad Inscription, VI. 969. 



f Prinsep, [J. A. S., B.V. 645], speaking of a coin of Ghatot Kacha, observes 

 in regard to the style of legend adopted by these sovereigns ; "to whom, whether 

 from their extra-Indian, or their low origin, or their limited sway, the panegyrist 

 seems to have avoided applying the usual epithets of royalty, Mahdrdjadhirdja." 



X " Para 3. Thedirect evidence of the period when the Guptas flourished is derived 

 from the Chinese. In A. D. 428 the king of Kapila was named Yue gai, or * moon- 

 beloved,' which is a synonyme of Chandra Gupta or ' moon-cherished.' " 



In A. D. 502, the king of India was named Keu-to that is Gutto, the Pali form 

 of the Sanskrit Gupta. 



Lastly, Hwan-Thsang (Fo-kue-ki, Appendix) names five princes of Magadha, 

 who flourished previous to the conquest of the country by Siladitya, in the follow- 

 ing order : — Lo-kia-lo ayi-to or Lagraditya, Fo-tho-kiu-to or Buddha Gupta, 

 Tha-ka-ta-kiu-to or Takta Gupta, Pho-lo-a-yi-to or Baladity a, Fa-che-lo or Vajra. 



