Evidence on the origin and antecedents of the Gupta dynasty is limited. The Gupta kings seem to have risen from the modest origins.
Chandragupta I, who was the third ruler of the Gupta dynasty married Kumaradevi, a Lichchavi princess. The marriage is mentioned in the records of his successors with pride indicating that royal connection would have contributed to the rise of Guptas.
Lichchavi was an old, established gana-sangha and its territory lay between the Ganges and the Nepal Terai.
According to Allahabad pillar inscription Samudragupta, the illustrious son of Chandragupta I, had conquered the whole fertile plains west of Prayag to Mathura and launched a spectacular raid through Kalinga into the south as far as Kanchipuram, the Pallava capital.
The Puranas mention Magadha, Allahabad and Oudh as the Gupta dominions.
