Shashanka

2026-04-25T04:37:55Z

84.13.102.165: cleaned up section additionally and added references as per guidelines

{{Short description|Maharajadhiraja of Gauda from c. 593 to 636}}
{{Hatgrp|{{For|the name|Shashank}}{{distinguish|Shawshank|Shoshenq}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox royalty
| succession = [[Gauda kingdom|Maharajadhiraja of Gauda]]
| reign = 593 – 636 C.E<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Gauda_Kingdom/ |title=Gauda Kingdom |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424161058/https://www.worldhistory.org/Gauda_Kingdom/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| predecessor = [[Jayanaga]]
| dynasty = [[Gauda Kingdom|Gauda Rajvansha]]
| name = Shashanka
| title = Maharajadhiraja<br>Gaudeshwar<br>Dev
| image = Gauda ruler Sasanka Deva. Circa AD 600-635. Samatata type. Assam mint.jpg
| successor = [[Manava (king)|Manava]]
| birth_date = 575
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{death year and age|636|576}}
| death_place =
| issue = [[Manava (king)|Manava]]
| father =
| signature = Rohtas seal of Shashanka.jpg
| signature_type = [[Seal (emblem)|Imperial Seal]]
| religion = [[Hinduism]] ([[Shaivism]])
| image_size = 300px
| alt = Map of Shashanka
| caption = Coin minted during the reign of Shashanka depicting [[Shiva]] (left) and Shashanka himself (right)
}}
'''Shashanka Dev''' ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: Śaśāṅka) was the first independent king of a unified polity in the [[Bengal]] region, called the [[Gauda Kingdom]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Egra Copper Plate |url=https://www.indianculture.gov.in/artefacts-museums/egra-copper-plate-inscription}}</ref> He reigned in the 7th century, some historians place his rule between 600 and 636/7 CE,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> whereas other sources place his reign between 590 and 625 CE.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="AncientHistory" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gyllenbok |first=Jan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XnRVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA260 |title=Encyclopaedia of Historical Meteorology, Weights and Measures : Volume 1 |publisher=Barikhäuser |year=2018 |pages=260|isbn=978-3-319-57598-8 }}</ref> His rule lasted approximately from 593 to 636 AD.

Shashanka, is credited with creating the Bengali calendar.<ref name="Sengupta2011">{{cite book|author=Nitish K. Sengupta|title=Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib|date=2011|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341678-4|pages=96–98}}</ref> The term Bangabda (Bangla year) is found too in two Shiva temples many centuries older than Akbar era, suggesting that a Bengali calendar existed long before Akbar's time.<ref name=monierwilliamsnijyotisa>{{cite book|author=Monier Monier-Williams|title=A Sanskrit–English Dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_3NWAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA353|year=1923|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=353|access-date=14 April 2022|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307164257/https://books.google.com/books?id=_3NWAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA353|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=jameslochtefeldsca326>James Lochtefeld (2002), "Jyotisha" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A–M, Rosen Publishing, {{ISBN|0-8239-2287-1}}, pages 326–327</ref>

He is the contemporary of [[Harsha]] and of [[Bhaskaravarman]] of [[Kamarupa]]. His capital was at [[Karnasuvarna]], in present-day [[Murshidabad]] in [[West Bengal]].

== Contemporary sources ==
[[File:Map_of_the_Shashankas.png|thumb|Map of the Shashankas or "[[Gauda Kingdom]]", circa 600 CE.<ref name=":1">{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=146, map XIV.2 (b) |isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=183 |access-date=25 March 2021 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224144259/https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=183 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
There are several major contemporary sources of information on his life, including copperplates from his vassal Madhavavarma (king of [[History of Orissa|Ganjam]]), copperplates of his rivals Harsha and Bhaskaravarman, the accounts of [[Banabhatta]], who was a bard in the court of Harsha, and of the Chinese monk [[Xuanzang]], and also coins minted in Shashanka's reign.

== Early life ==
Not much is known about the early life of Shashanka. Historian D K Ganguly is reported to have concluded that he was a native of Magadha.<ref name="Sinha-magadha">{{cite book |last1=Sinha |first1=Bindeshwari Prasad |title=Dynastic History of Magadha |date=1977 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |location=India |pages=131–133 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V3KDaZY85wYC |access-date=16 September 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118074202/https://books.google.com/books?id=V3KDaZY85wYC |url-status=live }}</ref> His seal found in [[Rohtas district|Rohtas]] refers to him as "Srimahasamanta" indicating that he was originally a feudatory chief of Rohtas, which was an important defence post in Magadha, under [[Mahasenagupta]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sinha |first1=Bindeshwari |title=Comprehensive History Of Bihar Vol.1; Pt.2 |date=1977 |publisher=KP Jayaswal Research Institute |page=230 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.534083/page/230/mode/1up?q=%22later+guptas%22}}</ref>

The same source reports that the historian [[Padmanath Bhattacharya Vidya Vinod|Padmanath Bhattacharya]] took Shashanka to be a son of [[Mahasenagupta]]. R D Banerji concluded that he was descended from the Magadha Guptas. These views are opposed by other historians like B. S. Sinha and John Middleton, citing lack of evidence.

=== Names and titles ===
Shashanka's name appears in multiple forms, including Śaśānka and Śaśānka-deva. The name is derived from [[Sanskrit]], as another name for the Moon. Śaśānka-deva therefore loosely translates to Moon god. The Hindu god [[Shiva]] is also known as ''Shashank Sekhar'' as He holds the moon on his head.

The Chinese monk [[Xuanzang]]'s writings, he is mentioned as She-Shang-Kia. He is also called Śaśānka Gaur, which initially lent credence to the claim that he was descended from the later Gaur.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Indian Antiquary |journal=Journal of Oriental Research (Ed. J.A.S. Burgess) |date=1878 |volume=VII |page=197 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yR3mAAAAMAAJ |access-date=16 September 2019 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |language=en |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118074229/https://books.google.com/books?id=yR3mAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> In Sinha's Dynastic History of Magadha, the names 'Śaśānka' and 'Soma' are used interchangeably.

== Rise to power ==
The [[Gupta Empire]] saw a series of weak kings after the death of [[Skandagupta]] in 467 C.E. On top of that, starting circa 480 C.E. [[Alchon Huns|Alchon Hun]] armies began attacking the declining empire from multiple sides. Defence of the vast empire put a strain on the royal treasury. Though the Huns were initially driven out, the protracted invasions quickened the downfall of the Gupta kings. It may be noted that Indian archeologist Shanker Sharma has argued that the empire's end was precipitated by a massive deluge around the middle of the sixth century C.E.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raj |first1=Dev |title=Deluge drowned mighty Guptas: Study |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/deluge-drowned-mighty-guptas-study/cid/1685500 |work=The Telegraph |publisher=ABP Group |location=Kolkata |access-date=14 September 2019 |language=en |archive-date=19 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819215132/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/deluge-drowned-mighty-guptas-study/cid/1685500 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Near the end of the sixth century, the empire was ruled over by a feeble ruler belonging to the [[Later Gupta dynasty]], Mahasenagupta (r. c. 562-601 C.E.).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sinha |first1=Bindeshwari Prasad |title=Dynastic History of Magadha, Cir. 450-1200 A.D. |date=1977 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |location=India |pages=129–131 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V3KDaZY85wYC |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118074202/https://books.google.com/books?id=V3KDaZY85wYC |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Gupta Empire#Decline of the empire|decline of the Gupta empire]] had left the disintegrating empire in chaos. Numerous local kings and rulers like [[Yashodharman]] emerged, and started vying for control of the many pieces of the former empire. Shashanka emerged as one of these ambitious local rulers, aiming to seize control of Gauda and its surrounding region.

[[File:Rohtasgarh Fort Inside Side View.jpg|thumb|The Rohtasgarh Fort, built circa 7th century]]
The first mention of Shashanka is found in the 7th century hill fort [[Rohtas Fort, India|Rohtasgarh]] in the small town of Rohtas in the kingdom of Magadha. The seal bore a curt inscription, "Mahasamanta Shashankadeva."

Some historians believe that Shashanka began his career as a feudatory chief (maha [[samanta]]) under Mahasenagupta, of the [[Later Gupta dynasty|Later Gupta Dynasty]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sen |first1=N. S. |title=Ancient Indian history and civilization |date=1999 |publisher=New Age International |location=India |isbn=81-224-1198-3 |edition=Second |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202001151/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC |url-status=live }}</ref> And that after the death of Mahasenagupta, Shashanka drove the later Guptas and other prominent nobles out of the region and established his own kingdom with his capital at [[Karnasubarna]]. Other historians like Sailendra Nath Sen are of the opinion that Mahasenagupta - already under pressure from the Maukharis (for failing to provide adequate protection) - wouldn't have knowingly appointed Shashanka to such an important position. Middleton (2015) argues in a similar vein that Shashanka served as ''maha samanta'' to a Gauda king, possibly [[Jayanaga]].<ref name=":4">{{cite book |last1=Middleton |first1=John |title=World Monarchies and Dynasties |date=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317451587 |page=330 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R63ACQAAQBAJ |access-date=15 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

Whether Shashanka was a feudatory under the Maukharis or the Guptas is not known. By 605 C.E. following Mahasenagupta's death, Shashanka had established what became known as the [[Gauda Kingdom]]. From there, he issued gold coins to celebrate his triumph, and came to be addressed as ''Maharajadhiraja'' (king of great kings).

== Military campaigns and warfare ==
[[File:Gauda ruler Sasanka Deva. Circa AD 600-635. Samatata type. Assam mint.jpg|thumb|Coinage of Sasanka Deva. Samatata type. Assam mint.]]
Not many historical references to the Gauda Army are available. Like its predecessor, the Late Gupta army, Shashanka's army had infantry and cavalry units. D. C. Sircar (1990) reports that the Gauda army also fielded a strong elephant corps in Kamarupa.<ref name="Sircar_Assam">{{cite book |last1=Sircar |first1=D C |title=Political History, in Barpujari, H K (ed.), The Comprehensive History of Assam (Vol-1) |date=1990 |publisher=Publication Board, Assam |location=Guwahati, India |pages=94–171}}</ref>

Kamarupa king [[Bhaskaravarman]] describes the Gauda army as fielding a strong naval force.<ref name="Sircar_Geography_1971">{{cite book |last1=Sircar |first1=Dineshchandra |author-link=Dineshchandra Sircar |year=1971 |orig-year=First published 1960 |title=Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India |edition=2nd |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |page=124 |isbn=978-81-208-0690-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AqKw1Mn8WcwC |language=en |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206161603/https://books.google.com/books?id=AqKw1Mn8WcwC |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Campaign against the Varmans of Kamarupa (Assam) ===
It appears that between 595 and 600 C.E. the Gauda army had carried out attacks against the [[Varman dynasty|Varman King]] [[Susthitavarman]] of [[Kamarupa]] (Assam). The Varman king died early in the war, and his two sons stepped up. The Doobi Copper Plate inscriptions tell us that the Gauda army fought and defeated the king, and princes [[Bhaskaravarman|Bhaskaravarma of kamrupa]] And Supratisthita<ref name="Bakker_Skandapurana">{{cite book |last1=Bakker |first1=Hans |title=The World of the Skandapurāṇa |date=2014 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004277144 |page=90 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6p2XCgAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref> The princes are described as fighting a mighty elephantry force.

The princes were brought back to Gauda as prisoners but released shortly thereafter. They supposedly returned to their kingdom as feudatories under Shashanka. After the death of Shasanka the capital city Karnasuvarna passed in to the hands of Bhaskaravarman.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Majumdar |first=R.C. |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13287/page/n121/mode/1up |title=History Of Ancient Bengal |publisher=G. Bharadwaj, Calcutta |year=1971}}</ref> However [[Hiuen Tsang]] who visited Bengal possibly in 638 AD, didn't mention the name of Karnasuvarna's ruler in his description.<ref name=":0" />

=== Campaign against the Maukharis of Kanyakubja (Kanauj) ===
Hans Bakker argues that the army that set out to attack the [[Maukhari dynasty|Maukhari]]s in Kanyakubja was more of a "confederation of all those who held a grudge", and that it was led by Shashanka.<ref name="Bakker_Skandapurana" />

Now because the ruling dynasties of Kanyakubja and Sthaniswara were related by matrimony, Thanesar king [[Rajyavardhana]] immediately set out with 10,000 cavalrymen to recapture Kanyakubja and avenge his sister Rajyashri. Rajyavardhana fought and killed [[Devagupta]] on the way. As he continued towards Kanyakubja, he came across Shashanka's army. {{Circa|606 C.E.}} Rajyavardhana was killed by Shashanka. No conclusive evidence exists but it is possible that Shashanka, who joined the battle as an ally of [[Devagupta]], murdered him. The only source available in this matter is the ''[[Harshacharita]]'' by [[Bāṇabhaṭṭa]], who was a childhood friend and constant companion of [[Harsha]]; neither of these men were present at the death.

=== War with Harsha of Sthanisvara (Thanesar) ===
[[Harsha]] succeeded his brother as ruler of Thanesar in 606 C.E. and he once again gathered the army and attacked Kannauj. Shashanka and his allies fought a major war with the then emperor of [[Thanesar]], [[Harsha]], and his allies. It is evident that Shashanka had to retreat from Kannauj. The result of the battle was inconclusive as Shashanka is documented to have retained dominion over his lands. Shashanka continued to rule Gauda with frequent attacks from Harsha, which he is known to have faced bravely.<ref name="Shashanka - Vol.1 শশাঙ্ক - খন্ড ১">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.4054 |title=Shashanka - Vol.1 শশাঙ্ক - খন্ড ১}}</ref>

'''Siege of Karnasubarna'''

{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Siege of Karnasubarna
| place = [[Karnasuvarna|Karnasubarna]], [[Bengal]]
| result = Gauda victory
| combatant1 = [[Pushyabhuti dynasty|Pushyabhuti Empire]]
| combatant2 = [[Kingdom of Gauda]]
| commander1 = Unknown general of [[Harsha]] {{AWOL}}
| commander2 = Shashanka
| territory = * Successful siege of Karnasubarna by the [[Gauda Kingdom]]
* Harsha's general flees to East Bengal
| casualties1 = Unknown
| casualties2 = Unknown
| partof = [[Harsha|Harsha’s invasion of Bengal]]
}}

This is a part of Harsha's Invasion of Bengal, Shashanka marched towards Karnasubarna and sieged it, Harsha's general fled to East Bengal from the battlefield and by this Harshavardhana got a heavy damage from the side of Gauda Kingdom.<ref name="Shashanka - Vol.1 শশাঙ্ক - খন্ড ১" />

== Extent of kingdom ==

Shashanka first established himself in [[Gauda (city)|Gauda]] and set his eyes on Magadha. Magadha at that time was under Maukhari rule, and Shashanka vowed to free it again.

Sen (1977) has shown that none other than Shashanka could have defeated the [[Maukhari dynasty|Maukhari]] rulers of Magadha.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sinha |first1=Bindeshwari Prasad |title=Dynastic History of Magadha, Cir. 450-1200 A.D. |date=1977 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |location=India |pages=129–131 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V3KDaZY85wYC |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118074202/https://books.google.com/books?id=V3KDaZY85wYC |url-status=live }}</ref> Next, he focused on extending his kingdom to [[Odissi|Odissa]], parts of Central Provinces, and Bihar.

Though Shashanka remains known, and referred to, as the Lord of [[Gauda Kingdom|Gauda]], his kingdom included more than just that region. By the end of his reign, his domain stretched from [[East Bengal (disambiguation)|Vanga]] to [[Bhubaneswar|Bhuvanesha]] while in the east, his kingdom bordered [[Kamarupa]].{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

== Rule and administration ==

[[File:Sasanka Deva king of Gauda circa 600-630.jpg|thumb|Coin of Śaśānka-deva, king of Gauda, circa 600–630. [[Shiva]] seated facing on bull seated left / [[Lakshmi]] seated facing on lotus; being watered by small elephants at either side.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=63312 |title=CNG Coins |access-date=16 July 2017 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220426/https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=63312 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

Shashanka, at first glance, appears like a "warlike monarch."<ref name="AncientHistory" /> His endless invasions and conquests tell of a king intent upon growing his kingdom. Sen describes Shashanka as a 'military adventurer', not unlike [[Yasodharman]].<ref name="Sen1999">{{cite book |last1=Sen |first1=Sailendra Nath |title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization |date=1999 |publisher=New Age International (P) Limited |location=India |page=276 |isbn=9788122411980 |edition=second |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202001151/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC |url-status=live }}</ref> But for a pre-medieval Indian king, endless battles, regicide, revenge and intrigue are not uncommon.

Like many pre-medieval Indian kings, Shashanka is said to have grasped the importance of consolidating his position.<ref name="AncientHistory">{{cite web |title=Gauda Kingdom |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Gauda_Kingdom/ |website=[[World History Encyclopedia]] |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418171816/https://www.worldhistory.org/Gauda_Kingdom/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He formed astute political alliances, notably with the [[Malva]] king, [[Devagupta]], to counteract the combined might of the Kanauj-Thaneshwar coalition.

As king, Shashanka continued many Gupta-era traditions, e.g., making land grants to Brahmins, as evidenced by the copperplate inscriptions from the era. Gold and silver coins, known as Dinars, issued by Shashanka have also been discovered.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} He vigorously propagated Hinduism, and had [[Sakaldwipiya|Sakadvipi]] Brahmins and Vedic Brahmins invited into his kingdom, presumably from Kanyakubja, among other places.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kulinism |url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Kulinism |website=Banglapedia |access-date=16 September 2019 |ref=kulin-brahmin |archive-date=1 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701154431/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Kulinism |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Art and culture ===
Historians argue that the unique Gauda style of composition developed with the development of poetry in the courts of the princes of Bengal. These princes of Bengal are none other than the Lords of Gauda.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Keith |first1=Arthur Berriedale |title=A History of Sanskrit Literature |date=1993 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |isbn=9788120811003 |page=60 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GNALtBMVbd0C |language=en |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118074240/https://books.google.com/books?id=GNALtBMVbd0C |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Sircar |first1=Dineshchandra |author-link=Dineshchandra Sircar |year=1971 |orig-year=First published 1960 |title=Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India |edition=2nd |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |page=125 |isbn=978-81-208-0690-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AqKw1Mn8WcwC |language=en |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206161603/https://books.google.com/books?id=AqKw1Mn8WcwC |url-status=live }}</ref>

To commemorate his coronation, he started the Bengali era called 'Bangabda' in accordance with earlier Hindu tradition of year counting,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Roy |first=Ajit Nath |title=Prosongo Bongabdo |year=1995 |edition=1st |publisher=Publisher unknown |location=Kolkata |language=Bengali}}</ref> which has now become a symbol of Bengal and Bengali cultural identity.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bandyopadhyay |first=Sunil Kumar |title=Bongabder Utsokotha |year=1997 |edition=1st |publisher=Publisher unknown|location=Kolkata |language=Bengali}}</ref>

=== Copperplate inscriptions ===
Three copperplate inscriptions issued by King Shashanka have been discovered. Two of these were issued in his 8th and 10th regnal years and discovered from Midnapore. The other, known as the Egra Copperplate,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Furui |first=Ryosuke |date=2011 |title=Panchrol (Egra) Copperplate Inscription of the Time of Śaśāṅka |journal=Pratna Samiksha |volume=2 |pages=119–30}}</ref> was discovered near Kharagpur and bears no date.

== Suppression of Buddhism ==
A 12th century text states that Shashanka destroyed the Buddhist [[stupa]]s of Bengal and was an oppressor of Buddhism.<ref>{{cite book|last=Basak|first=Radhagovinda|title=The History of North-Eastern India Extending from the Foundation of the Gupta Empire to the Rise of the Pala Dynasty of Bengal (c. A.D. 320-760)|date=1967|publisher=Sambodhi Publications|page=155}}</ref> Shashanka is reputed to have cut the [[Bodhi tree]] where the Buddha found enlightenment, in the [[Mahabodhi Temple]] of [[Bodh Gaya]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=R. S. |author-link=Ram Sharan Sharma |year=2005 |title=India's Ancient Past |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=giwpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT283 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=260 |isbn=978-0-19-566714-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/wonderthatwasind00alba/page/266/mode/2up|title = The Wonder That Was India|year = 1967}}</ref>

[[R. C. Majumdar]] states that this account is doubtful because it was written 500 years after the alleged persecution,<ref>{{cite book |last=Majumdar |first=R.C. |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13287/page/n103/mode/1up |title=History Of Ancient Bengal |publisher=G.Bharadwaj, Calcutta |year=1971 |location= |pages=53}}</ref> and that it is "unsafe to accept the statements recorded in this book as historical".<ref>{{cite book |last=Majumdar |first=R.C. |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13287/page/n104/mode/1up |title=History of Ancient Bengal |publisher=G. Bharadwaj |year=1971 |location= |page= |pages=54}}</ref> Radhagovinda Basak states that there is no reason to believe that this 12th century Buddhist author had cherished any ill feeling about 7th century Shashanka, and he may have had reasons to describe the events as they occurred.<ref>{{cite book|last=Basak|first=Radhagovinda|title=The History of North-Eastern India Extending from the Foundation of the Gupta Empire to the Rise of the Pala Dynasty of Bengal (c. A.D. 320-760)|date=1967|publisher=Sambodhi Publications|page=134}}</ref>

Following his death, Shashanka was succeeded by his son, [[Manava (king)|Manava]], who ruled the kingdom for eight months. However, Gauda was soon divided amongst [[Harsha]] and [[Bhaskaravarman]] of [[Kamarupa]], the latter even managing to conquer [[Karnasuvarna]].

== Legacy ==
{{South Asia in 600 CE|right|Location of the Shahshankas and fragmented South Asian polities circa 600 CE, after the retreat of the [[Alchon Huns]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=063 26],146 |isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=063 |access-date=27 January 2023 |archive-date=6 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206162650/https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=063 |url-status=live }}</ref>|{{Annotation|179|113|[[File:Long Fine Rectangle (plain).png|44px]]}}}}
Commenting on the symbolism of Gauda, [[Akshay Kumar Maitreya]] remarked, “The whole of Gauḍa was once known as Gauḍa Desh. The Bengali language only a few days ago was known as Gauḍiya Bhasha… Even now in many parts of India Bengalis are known as Gauḍiya. So, if one attempts to write our history, one must begin with Gaur.”<ref name="Maitreya-gaur">{{cite news |last1=Ganesan |first1=V. B. |title=Exploring Bengal's medieval history in the ruins of Gaur |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/exploring-bengals-medieval-history-in-the-ruins-of-gaur/article5623712.ece |work=The Hindu |publisher=N. Ravi |access-date=16 September 2019 |language=en-IN |date=27 January 2014 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111214919/https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/exploring-bengals-medieval-history-in-the-ruins-of-gaur/article5623712.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

King Shashanka's unification, and subsequent defence, of local, disparate kingdoms including Vanga, Samatata and Gauda, against the mighty king [[Harsha]], is considered seminal in the formation of the idea, and the polity, of [[Bengal]]. Many historians and commentators argue that Shashanka was the first independent king of not only Gauda, but of Bengal. As such he is a symbolic figure in the region's aspirations for independence and self-rule.

Shashanka's feat in bringing the many tribes and kingdoms under a single flag becomes clear only after his death. Chaos broke out in Bengal with the demise of the Gauda Kingdom. In Pala inscriptions, this time is called Matsyanyayam, implying times of 'jungle rule' when big fish swallow up small fish.<ref>{{cite web |title=Matsyanyayam |url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Matsyanyayam |website=Banglapedia |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622134450/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Matsyanyayam |url-status=live }}</ref>

It is thought that the development of the [[Bengali calendar]] took place under Shashanka's reign.<ref name="Shashanka">{{Cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Shashanka|title=Shashanka|website=Banglapedia|access-date=2016-11-23|archive-date=14 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614200631/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Shashanka|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hermann Kulke, Dietmar Rothermund 1998">{{Citation|last=Hermann Kulke, Dietmar Rothermund|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V0GEtXp-GsUC&q=king+shashanka&pg=PA104|title=A History of India|year=1998|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=0203443454|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=18 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118074132/https://books.google.com/books?id=V0GEtXp-GsUC&q=king+shashanka&pg=PA104#v=snippet&q=king%20shashanka&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

== In folk and popular culture ==

=== Sarasanka Dighi (folk legend) ===
Situated in present-day [[Midnapore]], Sarasanka is a massive ''dighi'' (manmade lake) measuring over 140 acres.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maity |first1=Atanunandan |title=A Note on Sarasanka Dighi |url=http://www.chitrolekha.com/V4/n1/07_Sarasanka_Dantan_Medinipur.pdf |website=Chitrolekha International Magazine on Art and Design |access-date=16 September 2019 |ref=sarasanka |archive-date=21 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221223540/http://www.chitrolekha.com/V4/n1/07_Sarasanka_Dantan_Medinipur.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> That is nearly equal to the total area of 80 football fields. Its aesthetics show clear influences of the Hindu [[Vastu Shastra]] school of architecture, design and aesthetics.

According to Bengali folk lore and legends, the ''dighi'' was excavated at the behest of King Shashanka.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nanda |first1=J.N. |title=Bengal: The Unique State |year=2005 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=9788180691492 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HsV3cYAvGEEC&pg=PA54 |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118074240/https://books.google.com/books?id=HsV3cYAvGEEC&pg=PA54#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Shashanka (popular culture) ===
Published in 1914, Shashanka is a historical novel penned by the famous Indian archaeologist [[R. D. Banerji|Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay]], who is best known for his discoveries in [[Mohenjo Daro]]. He found Shashanka to be a potent symbol of Bengal's glorious past and future political aspirations.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Asok K. |title=Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay |date=1999 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=8126008482 |page=69 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b5axYviGjO8C |access-date=16 September 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118074639/https://books.google.com/books?id=b5axYviGjO8C |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Bengali movie ''[[Karnasubarner Guptodhon]]'' (2022) is an adventure thriller and the third film in the ''Sona Da'' franchise. The movie is based on the discovery of a riddle by the lead trio which leads to a hidden treasure of King Shashanka. It stars [[Abir Chatterjee]], [[Arjun Chakrabarty]] and [[Ishaa Saha]] in lead roles.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22336444/ ''Karnasubarner Guptodhon'']. ''[[IMDb]]''.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of rulers of Bengal]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* [[R. C. Majumdar]], ''History of Ancient Bengal, G. Bharadwaj, Calcutta, 1971, pp 49-57''
* Sudhir Das, ''Rajbadidanga'', Calcutta, 1962
* P. K. Bhttacharyya, ''Two Interesting Coins of Shashanka'', Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland, London, 2, 1979

{{West Bengal}}

[[Category:Rulers of Bengal]]
[[Category:6th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:7th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Kings of Gauda]]
[[Category:625 deaths]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Shashanka