Issues Analysis 360^o

Introduction

• The Varman dynasty (350-650) is the first historical dynasty of the Kamarupa kingdom. It was established by Pushyavarman, a contemporary of Samudragupta.
• This dynasty became vassals of the Gupta Empire, but as the power of the Guptas waned, Mahendravarman (470-494) performed two horse sacrifices and threw off the imperial yoke.
• The first of the three Kamarupa dynasties, the Varmans were followed by the Mlechchha and then the Pala dynasties.

Genealogy

• The genealogy of the Varman dynasty appears most fully in the Dubi and Nidhanpur copperplate inscription of the last Varman king, Bhaskaravarman (600-650), where Pushyavarman is named the founder.
• The Dubi copper plate inscription of Bhaskaravarman asserts that Pushyavarman was born in the family of Naraka, Bhagadatta and Vajradatta (as did the other two Kamarupa dynasties) three thousand years after these mythical ancestors.
• The middle or Mlechha (Mech) dynasty, though claim same descent, are native tribal rulers. K.L. Barua opines that there was a Mlechha (i.e., Mech) revolt in Kamarupa and Salastambha, the leader or governor of the Mlecchas usurped the throne by deposing Bhaskaravarman's immediate successor Avantivarman.

Ethnic origins

• The dynasty traces its lineage from Naraka.
• The exact ethnic genealogy of Naraka is in dispute, with authors such as N N Vasu and K L Barua claiming he was Dravidian, whereas authors like P C Choudhury consider him to be of Alpine origin. Since the claim to Naraka's lineage was made at the end of the Varman dynasty (Bhaskarvarman); and since it was natural for the ruling house to fabricate a respectable lineage, authors like Sircar refuse to give much importance to these claims.
• Historical documents and legends are contradictory on the ethnicity of this dynasty. Naraka, according to an early account was the son of an asura named Hiranksha and Bhumi (Earth). In the late 10th-century Kalika Purana, Naraka is said to be the son of Vishnu in his Varaha form and Bhumi, who grew up in household of Janaka. The Kalika Purana goes on to describe two Narakas: one who was religious and the other who was hostile to Brahminism.
• The relationship of Bhagadatta, also mentioned as an ancestor of the Varmans, with Naraka is not clear from legendary sources either: Bhagadatta is called a grandson (Kalika Purana), a son (Bhagavata Purana) or not specified at all (Mahabharata, Harivamsha and Vishnu Purana). In the Mahabharata, a much earlier text, Bhagadatta, the son of Naraka is mentioned as Mleccha, an appellation used sometimes for degraded Aryans, non-Aryans and also foreigners, such as Hunas. All three Kamarupa dynasties draw their lineage from Naraka and Bhagadatta and Vajradatta.
• Xuanzang, a Chinese traveller who stayed in Kamarupa for three months termed Bhaskaravarman a Brahmana king who originated with Narayana Deva.
• Lévi Sylvain wrote, when Bhaskaravarman had business with others than Indians, the same prince boasted of another origin altogether. Bhaskaravarman told She-Kia-Fang-Che that his ancestors hailed from China, four thousand years ago, flying through air as holy spirit. As though he would show sympathy for China, he asked the envoy to get him a portrait of Lao-tseu and a Sanskrit translation of the Tao-to-king.
• Many scholars have opined that the Varman dynasty are probably of Indo-Aryan descent, that was overthrown by Salastambha of Mongoloid origin, who then made himself the king of Kamarupa.
• Suniti Kumar Chatterjee calls Bhaskaravarman a mleccha king, Mukunda Madhava Sharma considers all the dynasties of Kamarupa as of Aryan origin. Urban terms all kings of Brahmaputra Valley as non-Aryans.
• Kanak Lal Barua asserts Bhaskaravarman was a kshatriya not a hinduised Koch.

Politics and diplomacy

• The most illustrious of this dynasty was the last, Bhaskaravarman, who claimed be a descendant from god Vishnu and referred to as "lord of eastern India". He accompanied King Harshavardhana to religious processions from Pataliputra to Kannauj.
• Kings of Varman dynasty maintained both diplomatic and matrimonial relations with other countries of Aryavarta. Pushyavarman who himself named after king Pushyamitra Shunga, named his son Samudravarman after king Samudragupta in appreciations of kings of Aryavarta.
• King Balavarman organised Swayamvara for his daughter Amrita Prabha; which was attended by princes of different countries. Princess eventually chosen prince of Kashmir Meghavahana as her groom. The alliance between king Harsha of Thanesar and Bhaskaravarman lead to spread of political influence of later to entire eastern India.

The dynasty

• In the Nidhanpur plate of Bhaskaravarman the genealogy of all rulers of dynasty mentioned therein is traced from Naraka, Bhagadatta and Vajradatta. Chinese traveller (Xuanzang) designated the rulers of this dynasty as Brahmins.

By - Jiyaur Rahman
Posted On - 10/30/2018 2:11:30 AM