A Slave who became Emperor Chapter 20

Gupta empire was one of the most ancient empires of Hindustan . It was founded by the Gupta dynasty, spread across the north East portion of Hindustan . Magadha and Gupta empires were geographical neighbors . From many centuries, they co-existed peacefully . The tenure of Emperor Surya Gupta started on a good note . He introduced many welfare reforms in the kingdom, he has encouraged women education and gave importance to their empowerment, banned child marriages in the empire, made education compulsory to every child by appointing ten tutors for every district .

Surya Gupta was a strong warrior and a learned person . Under his rule, he established military schools in each district ensuring that interested people could learn the warfare techniques in an effective way . The youth of the kingdom were encouraged to serve in the army . The youngsters who served in the army for a minimum period of eight years were ensured to get a government job .

On personal basis, Surya Gupta was happily married, he was leading an idealistic life with his wife , empress Chandramathi . The only regret they had was that the empress was unable to bear a child . This made the emperor sad, but he never blamed his wife, he always pacified her sorrow .

Once there came a learned Vaidya (doctor) who was visiting the Gupta empire . The Royal couple went to him for an examination . The Vaidya examined them and gave them both a different medicine each . After consuming the medication for three months, the queen conceived . It brought great happiness to them . The vaidya examined the empress again and said that she needs great care during the pregnancy as it has some complications . The Emperor was asked to spend more time with the empress .

He agreed immediately and started distributing state affairs to his royal relatives living in the Royal quarters . Among them Devadatta Gupta was important . Devadatta was Surya Gupta's uncle's son . They grew up together like brothers . Devadatta was very loyal to Surya Gupta at the beginning . Surya Gupta gave the responsibility of administration and military to Devadatta so that he could spend more time with the empress .

After tasting power, Devadatta became thirsty for more . Some of the other good for nothing cousins of Surya Gupta felt that this was the only chance they had to gain some benefits . So they implanted evil thoughts into Devadatta's mind to overthrow the emperor . Devadatta slowly snatched away the power vested in the hands of Surya Gupta's loyal people . He infiltrated the army ,replaced the higher officials of court with his own men .

One day the empress gave birth to a healthy baby boy . Hearing this Devadatta prepared to make a move and kill Surya Gupta and his son . The emperor received information regarding this heinous plot . He soon conveyed the same to the empress and took away the new born prince . The empress cried and cried, but to no avail, the baby she had been waiting for many yearswas finally here, but she couldn't take care of him for even a day, she too wanted to leave along with the emperor, but since her health condition was not good, the emperor had to take a decision . He left her in the palace, he was sure that Devadatta wouldn't harm her since he would not consider her as a threat to his power .

The emperor took the prince away along with few loyals . Devadatta's men were chasing them, the emperor then gave the baby to his loyals asking them to take care of him . He promised them that he would return . Surya Gupta lured the enemies away, then the Prince was handed over to Veera Dynasty and was named by them as Pinaka .

The enemies couldn't find the emperor or the prince, therefore they went back and reported the same to Devadatta . He then went to the chambers of the empress and started pressurising her to give away the location of the emperor and the Prince . The empress didn't speak, she said that she didn't know and even if she knew, she wouldn't disclose it to him . Though Devadatta was irritated he didn't want to hurt the empress .

Empress Chandramati was the daughter of the great emperor Virupaksha of the Gandhara empire . Since Gandhara was strong, Devadatta couldn't take the risk of imprisoning the empress . Instead he asked the guards to not let the empress leave her chambers . . subjecting her to be retained within her quarters .

The empress Chandramathi waited for the return of her son and husband . She used to pray Goddess Durga (Indian goddess of Power) for their safe return . . and she kept waiting for twenty five long years . .

Chapter end