248 THE GUPTA EMPIRE tion of the fortunes of a dynasty destined to rival the glories of the Mauryas. Kumara Devi evidently brought to her husband as her dowry valuable influence, which in the course of a few years secured to him a paramount position in Magadha and the neighbouring countries. It seems probable that at the time of this fateful union the Lichchhavis were masters of the ancient imperial city, and that Chandragupta by means of his matrimonial alliance succeeded to the power previously held by his wife's relatives. In the olden days the Lichchhavis had been the rivals of the Kings of Pataliputra, and apparently, during the disturbed times which followed the reign of Pushyamitra, they paid off old scores by taking possession of the city, which had been built and fortified many centuries earlier for the express purpose of curbing their restless spirit. Certain it is that Chandragupta was raised by his Lichchhavi connection from the rank of a local chief, as enjoyed by his father and grandfather, to such dig- nity that he felt justified in assuming the lofty title of " sovereign of Maharajas, " usually associated with a claim to the rank of lord paramount. He struck coins in the joint names of himself, his queen, and the Lich- chhavis, and his son and successor habitually described himself with pride as the son of the daughter of the Lichchhavis. Chandragupta, designated as the First, to distin- guish him from his grandson of the same name, ex- tended his dominion along the Ganges valley as far
