Varman dynasty (Bengal)
Varman dynasty | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1035 A.D–1150 A.D | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
| Capital | |||||||||
| Common languages | Old Bengali Sanskrit | ||||||||
| Religion | Hinduism | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Maharaja | |||||||||
• Unknown | Vajra Varman | ||||||||
• 1046–1085 | Jata Varman | ||||||||
• 1085–1131 | Hari Varman | ||||||||
• Unknown | Samala Varman | ||||||||
• Unknown | Bhoja Varman | ||||||||
| Historical era | Medieval India | ||||||||
• Established | 1035 A.D | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1150 A.D | ||||||||
| |||||||||
The Varman dynasty was a Hindu dynasty which ruled Bengal and later eastern Bihar (Anga) in the Indian subcontinent.[2] The Varmans established their supremacy after replacing the Chandra dynasty.[3] History of the Varman dynasty is known from three copperplates and the Bhuvanesvara inscription of Bhatta Bhavadeva.[4]
History
The Varmans most probably came to Bengal in the train of Kalachuri Karna's invasion of Vanga. According to D.C Ganguly, Vajravarman seems to have invaded southeastern Bengal from Orissa, probably following the same route as Rajendra Chola's army.[5] It is quite likely that the Vajravarman accompanied Karna, stayed in Bengal, and at an opportune moment carved out an independent kingdom for themselves.[2][6]
Early rulers
Vajra Varman was the earliest ruler of this dynasty and victory over Vanga was achieved under his leadership.[7][8] According to R. D. Banerji and D. C. Ganguly Varman kingdom in eastern Bengal was founded by Vajravarman.[9] The only record mentioning Vajra Varman's name is the Belava inscription, which praised him only as a poet, brave warrior, and an intellectual.[10][11]
Adideva was minister of Vajra Varman, whose grandson Bhatta Bhavadeva served as the minister of war and peace under king Harivarman.
Jatavarman
Jatavarman was the son of Vajravarman and it is believed that Jatavarman accompanied Karna in latter's expedition of Bengal.[12]
The reference to Jatavarman's marriage with Virashri, daughter of Karna, and to Jatavarman's war with Kaivarta chief Divya, who wrested northern Bengal from the Palas, help us in fixing the date of Jatavarman's rise to power sometime in between 1050 and 1075 AD.[13] He attacked Varendra with a hostility towards Buddhism. Though the Kaivarta regime there did not suffer any loss, a part of Buddhist monastery of Somapura was destroyed by fire set by Jatavarman's army.[14]
The account of Jatavarman's military conquests is given in the Belava plate of Bhojavarman. Jatavarman's marriage with Karna's daughter Virashri was significant and was perhaps a great factor in the rise of the political fortunes of the Varman dynasty.[15]
Jatavarman's assault on Anga, as mentioned in the Belava plate, must have involved him in a struggle with the Pala Empire but he made himself powerful in the region after capturing the parts of Anga.[16]
Jatavarman's other two adversaries were Govardhana and Jayapala, king of Kamarupa. He snatched away a part of Pundravardhana, then under the sovereign rule of Kamarupa.[17]
Harivarman
Harivarman, under whom Bhatta Bhavadeva of the Bhuvanesvara Prashasti served as the minister of war and peace. On the basis of the colophon of the manuscript it can be assumed that Harivarman had a long reign of 46 years. It confirms to the information of the Bhuvanesvara inscription, where it is recorded that he ruled for a long time.
Harivaman, having seen Ramapala's success in recovering northern Bengal, propitiated Ramapala in order to avoid a Pala attack on his territory.[18][19] It is doubtful whether Harivarman extended his rule towards Orissa. There is reference to a son of Harivarman both in the Bhuvanesvara inscription and Vajrayogini plate, but hardly anything is known about him.
Samalavarman
Samalavarman, another son of Jatavarman, was the next king. His name figures prominently in the genealogical accounts of the Vaidik Brahmins, who are said to have migrated to Bengal from Madhyadesha during his reign. There was matrimonial relation between the Varmans and the Lankan king Vijayabahu I; in all probability Trailokyasundari, daughter of Samalavarman, was married to the Lankan king.[20]
Besides Bhojavarman, king Samalavarman had another son named Udayin, who is said to be a great warrior, whom none could approach in the battlefield.[21]
Decline
Bhoja Varman, son of Samalavarman was the last independent ruler of Varman dynasty and the Belava plate was issued in his fifth regnal year from the jayaskandhavara situated at Bikramapura. He was defeated by Vijaysena of Sena dynasty and rule of Varmans over southeast Bengal came to an end.
Culture
Religion
The Varmans were Hindus and followers of Vaishnavism. They centralised the worship of Vishnu and also Shiva, but held hostility towards Buddhism.[22][14]
References
- ↑ Chakrabarti, Kunal; Chakrabarti, Shubhra (22 August 2013). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-8024-5.
- 1 2 Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute. I.B. Corporation. 1984. pp. 413, 414.
This fact seems to suggest that the Varman son-in-law [Jatavarman] for some time ruled Under his Cedi father-in-law [Karna]
- ↑ Nanda, J. N. (2005). Bengal: The Unique State. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-149-2.
- ↑ Mukherji, Shyam Chand (1966). A Study of Vaisnavism in Ancient and Medieval Bengal, Upto the Advent of Caitanya: Based on Archaeological & Literary Data. Punthi Pustak.
- ↑ Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute. I.B. Corporation. 1984.
- ↑ Sur, Atul Krishna; Sur, Atul Kumar (1963). History and Culture of Bengal. Chuckervertti, Chatterjee.
- ↑ Division, Publications. THE GAZETTEER OF INDIA Volume 2. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2265-9.
- ↑ Yadav, J. N. Singh (1992). Yadavas Through the Ages, from Ancient Period to Date. Sharada Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-85616-03-2.
- ↑ Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1971). History of Ancient Bengal. G. Bharadwaj.
- ↑ Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1943). The History of Bengal ... University of Dacca.
- ↑ Publication. Asiatic Society. 1967.
- ↑ Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal (1986). The History of Manipur: An early period. Manipur Commercial Company.
- ↑ Publication. Asiatic Society. 1967.
- 1 2 Ray, Niharranjan (1994). History of the Bengali People: Ancient Period. Orient Longman. pp. 185, 331, 353. ISBN 978-0-86311-378-9.
- ↑ Paul, Pramode Lal (1939). The Early History of Bengal: From the Earliest Times to the Muslim Conquest. Indian Research Institute.
- ↑ Sur, Atul Krishna; Sur, Atul Kumar (1963). History and Culture of Bengal. Chuckervertti, Chatterjee.
- ↑ Baruah, Amlan; Choudhury, S. B. Roy (1999). Assam State Gazetteer. Editor-in-Chief, District Gazetteers, Government of Assam. p. 115.
- ↑ Bengal (India), West (1994). West Bengal District Gazetteers. State editor, West Bengal District Gazetteers.
- ↑ Chatterjee, Rama (1985). Religion in Bengal: During the Pala and Sena Times : Mainly on the Basis of Epigraphic and Archaeological Sources. Punthi Pustak.
- ↑ Kapoor, Subodh (2002). Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography. Cosmo Publications. ISBN 978-81-7755-299-7.
- ↑ Epigraphia Indica. Manager of Publications. 1982.
- ↑ West, Barbara A. (19 May 2010). Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4381-1913-7.