Chandragupta I selected Samudragupta as his successor considering him as the most worthy son (Arya). This decision was publicly announced in an open assembly of the King’s counselors who accepted the selection with satisfaction.After the announcement Chandragupta I instructed the Crown prince “Protective this earth”.From this as mentioned in the Allahabad pillar inscription some scholars concluded that there were other sons of Chandragupta who aspired to the throne and therefore the accession of Samudragupta was disputed. He ruled the empire for long forty years and died in 375 AD.He amply justified his father’s selection by proving himself a great conqueror and a mighty monarch. His title of parakramanka indicates his power. The Eran Inscription states that “the whole tribe of kings upon the earth was overthrown and reduced to the loss of wealth of their sovereignty by Samudragupta. Allahabad Pillar Inscription, the most important source of information for the history of Samudragupta’s invasion and conquest throws light on the Digvijaya of Samudragupta. Harisena the court poet being the author of this Inscription and holding several important offices of the empire describe the achievements of the Warrior King.Harisena once the Dandanayaka or Chief Justice, the Sandhivirahika or Minister of Foreign Affairs and War, the Kumaramatya or Minister attending the Crown Prince was of full knowledge of the chronological orders of events as they actually occurred. His narration speaks about Samudragupta’s fame and political exploits depicting him as a Digvijayi to show his supremacy over the vast part of India.

Samudragupta adopted strategic plans for his conquests of the north and the south. He decided to subdue the neighbouring Kingdoms first before going for distant expeditions. His conquest against Aryavarta was his first campaign. He then dashed against Dakhinapatha and in the third phase he marched on the second Aryavarta War. Besides these main invasions Samudragupta also effected the invasion of Atavika or Forest Kingdoms. He also established diplomatic relations with the states situated in the frontiers of the Gupta empire and finally he exchanged political negotiations with distant foreign powers.In his first campaign in north India, Samudragupta defeated Achyuta, the ruler of Ahichchhator (modern Ramnagar of Bareilly district), Nagasena the ruler of Padmavati (near Marwar) and Mathura. After having made his position secure in the Ganga-Jamuna Valley he turned his attention towards distant territories of the South.It is very interesting to note that most of the states which Samudragupta subjugated in the South were situated in the eastern part of the Peninsula and on the Malabar Coast. Samudragupta also wanted to get the benefit of the fabulous wealth of the Southern Kingdoms. Fighting at distant places coming from the Gangetic valley was not a easy task and realising the reality he adopted new tactics at the time of South Indian Campaign.