Skandagupta was the immediate successor of Kumaragupta I. The concluding years of Kumaragupta`s reign was full of troubles, due to the invasion of the Pushyamitras. From the Bhitari Pillar Inscription of Skandagupta, the favoured son of Kumaragupta I, it is evident that he was out from the capital to lead a campaign against the invaders. However Skandagupta became victorious in his battle against the Pushyamitras and when he returned to their capital, Kumaragupta breathed his last. Skandagupta ascended the Gupta throne in 455 A.D.

Scholars have opined that the successor of Kumaragupta I, Skandagupta did not find it an undisputed and peaceful succession to the throne of Gupta dynasty. According to them there was probably a civil war among the sons of Kumaragupta I in which Skandagupta ultimately emerged victorious. The fact of civil war is also corroborated by the Bhitari Pillar Inscription. The theory of fratricidal struggle is vividly mentioned in the Bhitari pillar inscription. However, according to Dr. H.C. Roychowdhury, there is nothing in the Bhitari Pillar inscription to support the theory of civil war. But Dr. R.C. Majumdar refutes the theory of Dr. Roychowdhury and endorses the possibility of civil war by a thorough reading and analysis of the same inscription. Through information about the contenders of the civil war, historians have opined that the most important competitor was the stepbrother of Skandagupta, Purugupta. Purugupta was the son of queen Anantadevi. That Skandagupta had to cross swords with his stepbrother Purugupta is evident from the records of Bhitari pillar inscription. From the Bhitari pillar inscription it is known that Purugupta was the immediate successor of Kumaragupta. Historians have presumed that when Skandagupta was busy campaigning against the Pushyamitras, Purugupta took the advantage of Skandagupta`s absence and his father`s illness, in the process usurping the throne. Hence no cordial relations existed between them. Kumaragupta II, grandson of Purugupta, also nurtured the hostility against Skandagupta. Hence there was a civil war between them, for the succession to the throne of Gupta dynasty. According to Dr.Majumdar, since Skandagupta`s mother was not the chief queen of Kumaragupta, hence Skandagupta was not the legitimate aspirant of the throne. Therefore he had to take up sword in order to drive away the legitimate owner, Purugupta. A group of other historians also point out that Skandagupta was the most competent amongst all the princes. Therefore Kumaragupta chose him as his successor, which caused rivalry among the brothers, which ultimately resulted in the civil war.

Whatever the controversy is, the theory of Dr. Majumdar is well researched and generally accepted- that Skandagupta was the successor of Kumaragupta to the throne of the Gupta dynasty, after becoming victorious in the violent civil war.