Sasanka was a vassal of the Gupta Emperor. He became the lord of Gauda a few years before A.D. 606-07. In fact, almost 60-70 years prior to the reign of Sasanka, Gauda had already become the seat of political power. During the time of Sasanka the importance of Gauda increased further. Sasanka ruled as an independent ruler of Gauda till his death in A.D. 637-38. His capital was Karnasuvarna.
During his reign various regional powers of Northern India (Malwa, Kanauj, Thaneswar, Kamarupa, Gauda etc.) came close to each other through feud or friendship. Sasanka took part in this conflict. He expanded his kingdom to the north-west in Benaras. He occupied the whole of Gauda, Magadha-Bodh Gaya and part of Odisha. He was able to enhance the glory of Gauda by engaging in conflicts with the powerful states of Northern India. This itself was an attribute to his great political achievement.
