An Indian conqueror known as Chandragupta—unrelated, but taking his name from, the great fourth-century BCE founder of the Maurya dynasty—inherits the kingdom of Magadha in about 320, upon his marriage to Licchavi princess Kumaradevi.

While his two ancestors were given the title of Maharaja, Chandragupta is described in his inscriptions as Maharajadhiraj, and can therefore be considered the first Gupta emperor.

According to the Puranas, the Guptas ruled over territories (referred to as Janapadas) such as Prayag, Saket, and Magadha.

This description of the Gupta dominion precedes the reign of Samudragupta and hence must refer to the territories ruled over by Chandragupta I, his father.