Gupta Dynasty — 948 to 1003 AD
1. Introduction
- Period: 948 - 1003 AD
- Founder: Parvagupta
- The Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir was founded by Parvagupta, who started as a clerk in the Utpala administration.
KEY FEATURES
- The dynasty is known for the powerful rule of Didda, who served as both Queen Mother and later as Queen.
- The period was marked by intrigue, conspiracy, murder & witchcraft.
- The dynasty ended with Didda's death in 1003 AD.
2. Parvagupta (948 - 950 AD)
- Founder of Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir.
- Started as a Clerk in Utpala administration.
- Succeeded by: Kshemgupta (his son).
3. Kshemgupta (950 - 958 AD)
- He was quite a sensual person.
- He plundered the Vihara.
- He used the molten gold & silver images to cast the images of his own deities in his own name.
- He named the temple: Kshemagaurisha.
- Wife: Didda.
4. Didda as Queen Mother (958 - 980 AD)
- Wife of: Kshemgupta (of Gupta Dynasty).
- Daughter of: Samharaja (ruler of Lohara, Poonch).
- She remained in power as a regent.
- Infant son: Abhimanyu Gupta (succeeded after his father).
- Didda = Queen Mother.
- The time period: 958 - 980 was filled with intrigue, conspiracy, murder & witchcraft.
- All successors and male lineage of Kshemgupta were killed.
REGENT
- A person selected to act as head of state (ruling or not) because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated.
5. Didda as Queen (980 - 1003 AD)
- Didda took the reign in her hands in 980 A.D.
- She elevated her paramour Tunga (from Prontsa) to the post of Prime Minister.
- She appointed her brothers to other key positions of the state.
REVOLTS AGAINST DIDDA
- Revolt of Vigraharaja of Lohara — Suppressed.
- Revolt of Prithipala of Rajouri — Suppressed.
- With the help of Tunga, Didda also suppressed the Damras.
DEATH & SUCCESSION
- With her death (in 1003 A.D.), Sangramraja (son of her brother Udairaj) became the ruler of Lohara.
6. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. The Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir was founded by:
- A) Parvagupta
- B) Kshemgupta
- C) Didda
- D) Sangramraja
Q2. Parvagupta started his career as a:
- A) Minister
- B) General
- C) Clerk
- D) Priest
Q3. The Gupta Dynasty ruled Kashmir from:
- A) 855-1003 AD
- B) 948-1003 AD
- C) 625-855 AD
- D) 1003-1120 AD
Q4. Kshemgupta was the son of:
- A) Parvagupta
- B) Avantivarman
- C) Suyya
- D) Shankarvarman
Q5. The temple named 'Kshemagaurisha' was built by:
- A) Parvagupta
- B) Kshemgupta
- C) Didda
- D) Tunga
Q6. Didda was the wife of:
- A) Parvagupta
- B) Kshemgupta
- C) Abhimanyu Gupta
- D) Sangramraja
Q7. Didda was the daughter of:
- A) Tunga
- B) Samharaja
- C) Udairaj
- D) Vigraharaja
Q8. Samharaja was the ruler of:
- A) Rajouri
- B) Lohara, Poonch
- C) Prontsa
- D) Srinagar
Q9. Didda remained in power as a regent from:
- A) 948-950 AD
- B) 958-980 AD
- C) 980-1003 AD
- D) 950-958 AD
Q10. The infant son of Kshemgupta who succeeded him was:
- A) Tunga
- B) Abhimanyu Gupta
- C) Sangramraja
- D) Udairaj
Q11. Didda took the reign in her hands in:
- A) 958 AD
- B) 980 AD
- C) 1003 AD
- D) 950 AD
Q12. Tunga was elevated to the post of Prime Minister by:
- A) Kshemgupta
- B) Didda
- C) Parvagupta
- D) Abhimanyu Gupta
Q13. Tunga was from:
- A) Lohara
- B) Rajouri
- C) Prontsa
- D) Srinagar
Q14. The revolt of Vigraharaja of Lohara was:
- A) Suppressed
- B) Successful
- C) Unsuccessful
- D) Not mentioned
Q15. The revolt of Prithipala of Rajouri was:
- A) Suppressed
- B) Successful
- C) Unsuccessful
- D) Not mentioned
Q16. Didda suppressed the Damras with the help of:
- A) Vigraharaja
- B) Tunga
- C) Prithipala
- D) Udairaj
Q17. Didda died in:
- A) 980 AD
- B) 1003 AD
- C) 958 AD
- D) 950 AD
Q18. After Didda's death, who became the ruler of Lohara?
- A) Tunga
- B) Sangramraja
- C) Udairaj
- D) Abhimanyu Gupta
Q19. Sangramraja was the son of:
- A) Tunga
- B) Udairaj
- C) Samharaja
- D) Vigraharaja
Q20. The period of Didda's regency (958-980 AD) was marked by:
- A) Peace and prosperity
- B) Cultural development
- C) Intrigue, conspiracy, murder & witchcraft
- D) Economic growth
7. Summary: Gupta Dynasty at a Glance
| Ruler | Period | Key Achievements/Events |
|---|---|---|
| Parvagupta | 948-950 AD | Founder; started as clerk in Utpala administration |
| Kshemgupta | 950-958 AD | Plundered Vihara; built Kshemagaurisha temple |
| Didda (Regent) | 958-980 AD | Queen Mother; period of intrigue, conspiracy, murder & witchcraft |
| Didda (Queen) | 980-1003 AD | Elevated Tunga as PM; suppressed revolts & Damras |
| Sangramraja | 1003 AD onwards | Became ruler of Lohara after Didda's death |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- Gupta Dynasty: 948-1003 AD; founded by Parvagupta
- Parvagupta: Started as a clerk in Utpala administration
- Kshemgupta: Plundered Vihara; built Kshemagaurisha temple
- Didda: Daughter of Samharaja (Lohara, Poonch); wife of Kshemgupta
- Didda as Regent: 958-980 AD — period of intrigue, conspiracy, murder & witchcraft
- Didda as Queen: 980-1003 AD — elevated Tunga as PM
- Tunga: From Prontsa; appointed Prime Minister by Didda
- Revolts: Vigraharaja (Lohara) and Prithipala (Rajouri) — both suppressed
- Damras: Suppressed by Didda with Tunga's help
- Sangramraja: Son of Udairaj; became ruler of Lohara after Didda's death (1003 AD)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Gupta Dynasty)
Q1. The Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir was founded by:
Correct Answer: B. Parvagupta was the founder of the Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir. He started as a clerk in the Utpala administration.
Q2. Didda was the daughter of which ruler?
Correct Answer: B. Didda was the daughter of Samharaja, who was the ruler of Lohara, Poonch.
Q3. The temple named 'Kshemagaurisha' was built by:
Correct Answer: B. Kshemgupta built the temple named 'Kshemagaurisha'. He used molten gold and silver images to cast the images of his own deities.
Q4. Didda remained in power as a regent from:
Correct Answer: B. Didda remained in power as a regent from 958-980 AD after the death of her husband Kshemgupta, as their infant son Abhimanyu Gupta succeeded the throne.
Q5. Tunga was elevated to the post of Prime Minister by:
Correct Answer: B. Didda elevated her paramour Tunga from Prontsa to the post of Prime Minister after taking the reign in 980 AD.
Q6. The revolt of Vigraharaja of Lohara was:
Correct Answer: B. The revolt of Vigraharaja of Lohara was suppressed by Didda.
Q7. Didda died in:
Correct Answer: B. Didda died in 1003 AD. After her death, Sangramraja (son of her brother Udairaj) became the ruler of Lohara.
Q8. Who became the ruler of Lohara after Didda's death?
Correct Answer: B. After Didda's death in 1003 AD, Sangramraja (son of her brother Udairaj) became the ruler of Lohara.
Q9. The period of Didda's regency (958-980 AD) was marked by:
Correct Answer: C. The period of Didda's regency (958-980 AD) was filled with intrigue, conspiracy, murder & witchcraft. All successors and male lineage of Kshemgupta were killed.
Q10. Parvagupta started his career as a:
Correct Answer: C. Parvagupta started his career as a clerk in the Utpala administration. He exploited the people and accumulated huge wealth, eventually founding the Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir.