Editing Chandragupta I (section)

== Period of reign ==

Chandragupta was a son of the Gupta king [[Ghatotkacha (king)|Ghatotkacha]], and a grandson of the dynasty's founder [[Gupta (king)|Gupta]], both of whom are called ''[[Maharaja]]'' ("great king") in the [[Allahabad Pillar]] inscription. Chandragupta assumed the title ''[[Maharajadhiraja]]'' ([[File:Gupta allahabad m.svg|11px]][[File:Gupta allahabad haa.jpg|11px]][[File:Gupta allahabad raa.jpg|11px]][[File:Gupta allahabad j.svg|12px]][[File:Gupta allahabad dhi.jpg|10px]][[File:Gupta allahabad raa.jpg|11px]][[File:Gupta allahabad j.svg|12px]] "great king of kings") and issued gold coins, which suggests that he was the first imperial ruler of the dynasty.{{sfn|Ashvini Agrawal|1989|p=90}}{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1981|p=10}}

Chandragupta certainly reigned in the first quarter of the 4th century CE, but the exact period of his reign is uncertain.{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1981|p=16}} His assumption of the title ''Maharajadhiraja'' has led to suggestions that he founded the [[Gupta era|Gupta calendar era]], and that the epoch of this era marks his coronation.{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1981|p=15}} Based on this argument, several historians, including [[Vincent Arthur Smith|V. A. Smith]] and P. L. Gupta, date Chandragupta's ascension to 319–320 CE, which they believe to be the beginning of the Gupta era.{{sfn|Tej Ram Sharma|1989|pp=50–51}} However, this is merely an assumption, and the identity of the founder of the Gupta era is not certain.{{sfn|Tej Ram Sharma|1989|p=50}} Some historians, such as [[D. C. Sircar]] and [[R. C. Majumdar]], theorize that the Gupta era marks the coronation of his son Samudragupta.{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1981|pp=15–16}} [[S. R. Goyal]] theorizes that the era was started by the later king [[Chandragupta II]], but its beginning was dated to Samudragupta's ascension.{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1981|p=15}}

Chandragupta I probably had a long reign, as the Allahabad Pillar inscription suggests that he appointed his son as his successor, presumably after reaching an old age. However, the exact period of his reign is debated.{{sfn|Tej Ram Sharma|1989|pp=50–52}}

Various estimates for Chandragupta's reign include:

* [[A. S. Altekar]]: 305–325 CE{{sfn|Tej Ram Sharma|1989|p=50}}
* [[S. R. Goyal]]: 319–350 CE{{sfn|Tej Ram Sharma|1989|p=50}}
* Tej Ram Sharma: 319–353 CE{{sfn|Tej Ram Sharma|1989|p=55}}
* [[Upinder Singh]]: 319-335/336 CE  CE{{sfn|Upinder Singh|2017|p=xvi}}