Candragupta Vikramaditya and Govinda
By V. V. Mirashi
Summary
Re‑examining the historical record, this article questions the identification of a verse that censures a king for cruelty and immorality. The verse, from the Sangali and Cambay plates, praises a king named Govinda for refraining from fratricide and licentiousness, implying that his brother committed these sinsfile:/home/oai/share/563010_compressed-15-234.pdf. Some scholars have attributed the verse to Candragupta II (Vikramaditya), suggesting he ill‑treated his brother Govinda IV. By analysing inscriptions and Puranic chronicles, the author argues that the verse is misattributed: Candragupta II is consistently portrayed as a just and noble ruler, whereas Govinda IV was censured for cruelty and misconduct. The article compares the language of the verse with other epigraphic records and shows that the charges fit Govinda IV’s reputation better than Candragupta’s. It highlights the need for careful source criticism when dealing with ambiguous epigraphs. In doing so, the article preserves Candragupta II’s reputation and clarifies the chronology of late Gupta rulers.
Conclusion
The conclusion emphasises that sensational narratives must be tested against multiple sources. In this case, the verse likely refers to Govinda IV, not Candragupta II, underscoring the importance of critical epigraphic analysis.