Shashanka - Revision history

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

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WikiDwarf: Reverted edits by 103.216.213.41 (talk) to last revision by 2402:3A80:688:515E:0:47:E713:A501

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Reverted edits by 103.216.213.41 (talk) to last revision by 2402:3A80:688:515E:0:47:E713:A501

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	Emperor 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}}</ref> But for a pre-medieval Indian king, endless battles, regicide, revenge and intrigue are not uncommon.		Emperor 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}}</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}}</ref> He formed astute political alliances, notably with the [[Malva]] king, Devagupta, to counteract the combined might of the Kanauj-Thaneshwar coalition. He kidnapped the daughter of a [[Sayyid dynasty\|Sayyid king]], Princess [[Vijayakirti]] of the [[Sayyid dynasty]]~~. Later, Manava was the son of Shashanka and Vijayakirti. The love story of Vijayakirti and Shashanka was immense~~.		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}}</ref> He formed astute political alliances, notably with the [[Malva]] king, Devagupta, to counteract the combined might of the Kanauj-Thaneshwar coalition. He kidnapped the daughter of a [[Sayyid dynasty\|Sayyid king]], Princess [[Vijayakirti]] of the [[Sayyid dynasty]].

	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}}</ref>		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}}</ref>

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	Emperor 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}}</ref> But for a pre-medieval Indian king, endless battles, regicide, revenge and intrigue are not uncommon.		Emperor 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}}</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}}</ref> He formed astute political alliances, notably with the [[Malva]] king, Devagupta, to counteract the combined might of the Kanauj-Thaneshwar coalition. He kidnapped the daughter of a [[Sayyid dynasty\|Sayyid king]], Princess [[Vijayakirti]] of the [[Sayyid dynasty]].		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}}</ref> He formed astute political alliances, notably with the [[Malva]] king, Devagupta, to counteract the combined might of the Kanauj-Thaneshwar coalition. He kidnapped the daughter of a [[Sayyid dynasty\|Sayyid king]], Princess [[Vijayakirti]] of the [[Sayyid dynasty]]. Later, Manava was the son of Shashanka and Vijayakirti. The love story of Vijayakirti and Shashanka was immense.

	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}}</ref>		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}}</ref>

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	\| alt = Map of Shashanka		\| alt = Map of Shashanka
	\| caption = Royal Seal of the Shashankas		\| caption = Royal Seal of the Shashankas
	}}		\|queen=A kidnapped princess from the [[Sayyid dynasty]] <small>( later revealed as [[Vijayakirti]] of Sayyid)<small>}}
	[[File:King Shasanka.jpg\|thumb\|Gaudeswar Parammaheswar Parambhattarak Maharajadhiraja Narendraditya Shashankadeva]]		[[File:King Shasanka.jpg\|thumb\|Gaudeswar Parammaheswar Parambhattarak Maharajadhiraja Narendraditya Shashankadeva]]

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	Emperor 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}}</ref> But for a pre-medieval Indian king, endless battles, regicide, revenge and intrigue are not uncommon.		Emperor 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}}</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}}</ref> He formed astute political alliances, notably with the [[Malva]] king, Devagupta, to counteract the combined might of the Kanauj-Thaneshwar coalition.		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}}</ref> He formed astute political alliances, notably with the [[Malva]] king, Devagupta, to counteract the combined might of the Kanauj-Thaneshwar coalition. He kidnapped the daughter of a [[Sayyid dynasty\|Sayyid king]], Princess [[Vijayakirti]] of the [[Sayyid dynasty]].

	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}}</ref>		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}}</ref>

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	{{Use Indian English\|date=November 2016}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=November 2016}}

			{{Infobox royalty
			\| succession = [[Gauda kingdom\|King of Gauda]]
			\| reign = 590 CE - 625 CE<ref>[https://www.worldhistory.org/Gauda_Kingdom/ Gauda Kingdom]</ref>
			\| predecessor =
			\| dynasty = [[Gauda Kingdom\|Gauda Raaj]]
			\| title = Maharajadhiraja, Gaudeshwar
			\| image = Rohtas seal of Shashanka.jpg
			\| successor = [[Manava (king)\|Manava]]
			\| issue = Manava
			\| religion = [[Hinduism]] ( [[shaivism]] )
			\| image_size = 230px
			\| alt = Map of Shashanka
			\| caption = Royal Seal of the Shashankas
			}}
	[[File:King Shasanka.jpg\|thumb\|Gaudeswar Parammaheswar Parambhattarak Maharajadhiraja Narendraditya Shashankadeva]]		[[File:King Shasanka.jpg\|thumb\|Gaudeswar Parammaheswar Parambhattarak Maharajadhiraja Narendraditya Shashankadeva]]

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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2016}}

[[File:King Shasanka.jpg|thumb|Gaudeswar Parammaheswar Parambhattarak Maharajadhiraja Narendraditya Shashankadeva]]

'''Shashanka''' ({{lang-bn|শশাঙ্ক}}, [[IAST]]: Śaśāṃka) also referred to as '''Gaudeshwar Parameshwara Parambhattaraka Maharajadhiraj Shashanka Deva''' ({{lang-bn|গৌড়েশ্বর পরমেশ্বর পরমভট্টারক মহারাজাধিরাজ শশাঙ্কদেব}}) was the sovereign [[Emperor]] of a unified polity in the [[Bengal]] region, called the [[Gauda Kingdom|Gauda Empire]] and is a major figure in Bengali history.<ref>For a map of the territory, see {{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}}</ref> He reigned in the 7th century, some historians place his rule between circa 600 CE and 636/7 CE,<ref>{{cite web |title=Egra Copper Plate Inscription |url=http://museumsofindia.gov.in/repository/record/im_kol-83-6-72 |website=Indian Museum (Kolkata) |publisher=Indian Museum, Kolkata |access-date=14 September 2019}}</ref> whereas other sources place his reign between 590 and 625 CE.<ref>{{cite book |author=Jan Gyllenbok |title=Encyclopaedia of Historical Metrology, Weights, and Measures |volume=1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XnRVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA260 |year=2018 |publisher=Birkhäuser |isbn=978-3-319-57598-8 |page=260 }}</ref>

He is the contemporary of [[Harsha]] and of [[Bhaskaravarman]] of [[Kamarupa]]. His capital was at [[Karnasuvarna|Karnasubarna]], in present-day [[Murshidabad]] in West Bengal. The development of the [[Bengali calendar]] is often attributed to Shashanka because the starting date falls within his reign.<ref name="Shashanka">{{Cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Shashanka|title=Shashanka|website=Banglapedia|access-date=2016-11-23}}</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|isbn=0203443454}}</ref>

== Contemporary sources ==
There are several major contemporary sources of information on his life, including copperplates from his vassal Madhavavarma, A small Zamindar, 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}}</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.

[[Nagendranath Basu]] has argued that Shashanka was the son / descendant of Raja Karnadeva, who founded the city of Karnasubarna.<ref name="Nagendranath_Jatiyoitihash">{{cite book |last1=Basu |first1=Nagendranath |title=Bonger Jatiya Itihash (Kayastha Kando) |date=1937 |location=India |pages=63 |url=https://bn.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE:%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0_%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC_%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8_(%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A5_%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A3%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1,_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B6,_%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF_%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A3%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1).djvu/%E0%A7%AD%E0%A7%AF |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>

=== 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 Narendragupta, which initially lent credence to the claim that he was descended from the later Guptas.<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}}</ref> In Sinha's Dynastic History of Magadha, the names 'Śaśānka' and 'Soma' are used interchangeably.
[[File:Gauda.jpg|thumb|Gauda Kingdom]]
== 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 |location=Kolkata |access-date=14 September 2019 |language=en}}</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}}</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}}</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 is 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>{{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 ==
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=Dineschandra |title=Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India |date=1971 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |location=India |isbn=9788120806900 |page=124 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AqKw1Mn8WcwC |language=en}}</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]] 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 Supratisthita and Bhaskara of Kamrupa.<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. The younger of the two would soon turn against the Gauda.

=== 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.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

== Extent of Empire ==

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}}</ref>

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]] 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, Emperor 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>[https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=63312 CNG Coins]</ref>]]

Emperor 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}}</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}}</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}}</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 Publishe |isbn=9788120811003 |page=60 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GNALtBMVbd0C |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Sircar |first1=Dineschandra |title=Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India |date=1971 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |isbn=9788120806900 |page=125 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AqKw1Mn8WcwC |language=en}}</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, 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>https://archive.org/details/wonderthatwasind00alba/page/266/mode/2up</ref>

[[Ramesh Chandra Majumdar]] states that this account is doubtful because it was written centuries after the alleged persecution,<ref>{{cite book|last=Majumdar|first=Ramesh Chandra|title=History of Bengal|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43136|date=1943|publisher=University of Dacca|location=Dacca|pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43136/page/n125 73]–74}}</ref> and that it is "unsafe to accept the statements recorded in this book as historical".<ref>{{cite book|last=Majumdar|first=Ramesh Chandra|title=History of Bengal|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43136|date=1943|publisher=University of Dacca|location=Dacca|page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.43136/page/n106 64]}}</ref> Radhagovinda Basak states that there is no reason to believe that this 12th century Buddhist author had cherished any ill feeling about Shashanka, and he may have had reasons to describe the events as they occurred in the 7th century.<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 ==

Shashanka's legacy is closely related to that of the kingdom that he founded, and the kingdom that rose and fell with him. But its legacy continued, leading later kings and sultans to accept Gauda's political demarcation. Later rulers built their edifices and monuments on older sites, and [[Pala Dynasty|Pala kings]] even retained Shashanka's unique title of ''Gaureshwara'' (the lord of Gauda) for themselves.<ref name="Gaur-legacy">{{cite book |last1=Chatterjee |first1=Ratnabali |title=The Making of History: Essays Presented to Irfan Habib |date=2002 |publisher=Wimbledon Publishing Company |location=United Kingdom |isbn=1843310538 |page=505 |edition=First |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ejrBraqBaLQC |access-date=16 September 2019}}</ref>

Commenting on the symbolism of Gauda, [[Akshay Kumar Maitreya]] remarked, “The whole of Gaur was once known as Gaura Desh. The Bengali language only a few days ago was known as Gauriya Basha… Even now in many parts of India Bengalis are known as Gauriya. 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}}</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}}</ref>

It is thought that the development of the [[Bengali calendar]] took place under Shashanka's reign.<ref name="Shashanka"/><ref name="Hermann Kulke, Dietmar Rothermund 1998"/>

== 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}}</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 |isbn=9788180691492 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HsV3cYAvGEEC&pg=PA54 |access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref> In one oral tradition: once Shashanka had been accompanying his mother to holy pilgrimage and his convoy camped at the small village of Jamuapati in [[Dantan I|Datan]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bhattacharjee |first1=Rupnarayan |script-title=bn:বাংলার বৃহত্তম দীঘির গল্প |url=https://blogs.eisamay.indiatimes.com/rupayanbhattacharya/a-story-about-bengal-s-largest-lake/ |website=Eisamay Blog |publisher=indiatimes.com |access-date=16 September 2019 |ref=sarasanka_legend |language=bn |date=8 August 2015}}</ref> There, his mother was impressed by local hospitality; she asked them why their yields were so meagre. The villagers replied that they suffered from an acute shortage of water.

So Shashank's mother urged her son to do something for the villagers, so that they still had water during the lean season. Not one to disobey his mother's wishes, Shashanka reportedly pulled out an arrow from his sheath, and announced that he would excavate a reservoir as long as the arrow's trajectory. And thus, over a period of three years, and with help from local nobles, Sarasanka came into existence.

=== 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}}</ref>

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

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* [[R. C. Majumdar]], ''History of Bengal'', Dacca, 1943, pp 58–68
* Sudhir R 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:History of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:6th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:7th-century Indian monarchs]]