Correct Option
The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only.
Explanation
The primary source of information regarding Samudragupta’s military conquests and specific policies towards different categories of rulers is the Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti), composed by his court poet Harisena. The inscription categorizes the rulers into distinct groups based on the treatment meted out to them.
Statement-wise Analysis
Statement 1: Correct
In the region of Aryavarta (North India), Samudragupta adopted the policy of Prasabhoddharana (violent uprooting). The inscription mentions that nine rulers of Aryavarta were defeated, their kingdoms were annexed, and their territories were made an integral part of the Gupta Empire.
Statement 2: Correct
For the rulers of Dakshinapatha (South India), Samudragupta adopted the policy of Grahana-moksha-anugraha. This involved capturing the enemy (Grahana), liberating them (Moksha), and reinstating them as feudatories (Anugraha). Twelve rulers were defeated and then allowed to rule their kingdoms again in exchange for accepting Gupta suzerainty.
Statement 3: Incorrect
The rulers of the outlying areas (Pratyanta Kshetras) and foreign potentates, including the Shakas, Kushanas, and the ruler of Sri Lanka, were not "conquered by force" after refusing to submit. Instead, the inscription states they accepted Samudragupta’s supremacy through Atmanivedana (personal surrender), Kanyopayana (offering daughters in marriage), and requesting charters for the administration of their own districts (Garutmadanka-svavishaya-bhukti-shasana-yachana). Specifically, the ruler of Sri Lanka (Meghavarman) sent an embassy with gifts, rather than being subjected to a military conquest.
Key Takeaway
Samudragupta’s Digvijaya involved differentiated policies: direct annexation for Aryavarta, reinstatement for Dakshinapatha, and tributary/diplomatic submission for border states and foreign rulers.