Which ancient Indian ruler has been described by the historian V. A. Smith as the "Napoleon of India" because of his extensive military campaigns and conquests?

Introduction / Context:
Historians sometimes compare Indian rulers to famous European figures to highlight their characteristics. One such comparison is the label 'Napoleon of India', used to describe a king known for his remarkable military campaigns and rapid conquests. This question asks which ancient Indian ruler received this title from the historian V. A. Smith.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase 'Napoleon of India' refers to a ruler with outstanding military achievements.
• The label was popularised by the historian V. A. Smith.
• The options list major ancient Indian rulers associated with large empires and campaigns.
• We must match the epithet exactly to the correct king.

Concept / Approach:
We need to recall which ruler's inscriptions and historical narratives describe a long list of battles and victories, much like Napoleon's European campaigns. The Allahabad Pillar inscription, praising the achievements of a Gupta ruler, is central to this association.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka were great Mauryan emperors, but the specific phrase 'Napoleon of India' is not commonly used for them.2. Harshavardhana ruled in the seventh century CE and also conducted campaigns, but again, the title in question is not usually linked to him.3. Samudragupta, a Gupta emperor, is celebrated as a great military conqueror; the Allahabad Pillar inscription lists his numerous victories over northern and southern rulers.4. V. A. Smith, impressed by Samudragupta's campaign record, likened him to Napoleon, calling him the 'Napoleon of India'.5. Skandagupta was another Gupta ruler known for defending the empire against the Hunas, but the specific epithet is reserved for Samudragupta.6. Therefore, the correct answer is Samudragupta.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biographical sketches of Samudragupta in standard history texts almost always mention that V. A. Smith described him as the 'Napoleon of India'. This label is directly tied to the extensive list of his conquests recorded in the Allahabad Prashasti (inscription), which presents him as an energetic and successful military leader, parallel to Napoleon in terms of campaign frequency and reach.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Harshavardhana: A powerful king but not the one labelled as the 'Napoleon of India'.
• Chandragupta Maurya: Founder of the Mauryan Empire, compared more to rulers like Alexander in some narratives, but not usually called the 'Napoleon of India'.
• Ashoka: Famous for his transformation from a conqueror to a champion of dhamma, not for a label emphasising military conquest.
• Skandagupta: Known for repelling Hun invasions, but the famous epithet is clearly associated with Samudragupta.

Common Pitfalls:
Because Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka are more widely known, students sometimes assume that any grand title must belong to them. Another mistake is confusing different historians' nicknames (for example, 'Indian Napoleon' vs. 'Indian Napoleon of the East'). Reading the question carefully and linking it to the Allahabad inscription helps avoid such errors.

Final Answer:
The ruler described by V. A. Smith as the 'Napoleon of India' is Samudragupta.