->Citation bot: Alter: url. URLs might have been anonymized. Add: authors 1-1. Removed parameters. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by AManWithNoPlan | #UCB_webform 737/773

2021-11-26T02:30:56Z

Alter: url. URLs might have been anonymized. Add: authors 1-1. Removed parameters. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by AManWithNoPlan | #UCB_webform 737/773

New page

{{Distinguish|Varman dynasty}}
The '''Varman Dynasty''' of [[Bengal]] (1035-1150 A.D) was a [[Hindus|Hindu]] [[Yadava]] dynasty which originated in the Bengal region of the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Division|first=Publications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wumhDQAAQBAJ&dq=varmans+yadav+dynasty&pg=PT192|title=THE GAZETTEER OF INDIA Volume 2|publisher=Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting|isbn=978-81-230-2265-9|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BXEMAAAAIAAJ&q=vajravarman|title=The Gazetteer of India: History and culture|date=1973|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting|language=en}}</ref> The Varmans took control of Eastern Bengal (Comprising the ancient land of [[Harikela]], [[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]] and [[Samatata]]) after replacing the [[Chandra dynasty|Chandra Dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nanda|first=J. N.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HsV3cYAvGEEC&dq=varman+dynasty+bengal&pg=PA32|title=Bengal: The Unique State|date=2005|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-8069-149-2|language=en}}</ref> They established their capital at [[Bikrampur]] in present-day [[Munshiganj District]] of [[Bangladesh]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Chakrabarti|first1=Kunal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QVOFAAAAQBAJ&dq=varman+dynasty+capital&pg=PA478|title=Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis|last2=Chakrabarti|first2=Shubhra|date=2013-08-22|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-8024-5|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Majumdar|first=Gayatri Sen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bH8EAAAAYAAJ&q=varman+dynasty|title=Buddhism in Ancient Bengal|date=1983|publisher=Navana|language=en}}</ref>

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox Former Country
|native_name =
|conventional_long_name = Varman Dynasty
|common_name = Varman Dynasty
|era = [[Medieval India]]
|status =
|event_start =
|year_start = 1035 A.D
|date_start =
|event1 =
|date_event1 =
|event_end =
|year_end = 1150 A.D
|date_end =
|p1 = Chandra dynasty
|flag_p1 =
|p2 =
|flag_p2 =
|s1 = Sena dynasty
|flag_s1 =
|image_flag =
|flag_type =
|image_coat =
|image_map = Ancient Political Divisions.jpg
|image_map_caption = Area ruled by the Varman Dynasty (Comprising the ancient land of [[Harikela]], [[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]] and [[Samatata]])
|capital = [[Bikrampur]]
|common_languages = [[Sanskrit]]<br />[[Bengali language|Bengali]]
|religion = Hinduism
|government_type = Monarchy
|leader1 = Vajra Varman
|year_leader1 = Unknown
|leader2 = Jata Varman
|year_leader2 = 1046-1085
|leader3 = Hari Varman
|year_leader3 = 1085-1131
|leader4 = Samala Varman
|year_leader4 = Unknown
|leader5 = Bhoja Varman
|year_leader5 = Unknown
|title_leader = [[Maharaja]]
|legislature =
|}}

History of Varman Dynasty is known from three [[Copperplate script|copperplates]] and the [[Bhubaneswar|Bhuvanesvara]] inscription of Bhatta Bhavadeva.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mukherji|first=Shyam Chand|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J_sfAAAAMAAJ&q=varman+dynasty|title=A Study of Vaisnavism in Ancient and Medieval Bengal, Upto the Advent of Caitanya: Based on Archaeological & Literary Data|date=1966|publisher=Punthi Pustak|language=en}}</ref>

==Origin==
The rulers of Varman dynasty belonged to Majhraut<ref>{{Cite book|last=Caudharī|first=Abhayakānta|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2qbRAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B5|title=Aṅgikā sāhitya kā itihāsa|date=1977|publisher=Śekhara Prakāśana|language=hi}}</ref> clan of [[Yadava]] race and were related to royal Yadava family of [[Sinhapura|Simhapura]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Chakrabarti|first1=Kunal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QVOFAAAAQBAJ&dq=varman+dynasty+bengal&pg=PA478|title=Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis|last2=Chakrabarti|first2=Shubhra|date=2013-08-22|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-8024-5|language=en}}</ref>

There is controversy relating to identification and location of Simhapura. R.C Majumdar says, one to the north of salt range in punjab, a second in the [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] which has been identified with modern Singapuram in Kalinga (northern Orissa) between [[Srikakulam|Chicacole]] and [[Narasannapeta]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hazra|first=Kanai Lal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N3wEAAAAYAAJ&q=Yadava|title=The Rise and Decline of Buddhism in India|date=1995|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers|isbn=978-81-215-0651-9|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Mukherji|first=Shyam Chand|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J_sfAAAAMAAJ&q=varman+dynasty|title=A Study of Vaisnavism in Ancient and Medieval Bengal, Upto the Advent of Caitanya: Based on Archaeological & Literary Data|date=1966|publisher=Punthi Pustak|language=en}}</ref> Few other historian says Simhapura is modern day Singur, which is in [[Hooghly district]] of West Bengal.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Division|first=Publications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wumhDQAAQBAJ&dq=varman+of+singur&pg=PT193|title=THE GAZETTEER OF INDIA Volume 2|publisher=Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting|isbn=978-81-230-2265-9|language=en}}</ref>

The Yadava Dynasty of [[Sinhapura|Simhapura]] in [[Kalinga (province)|Kalinga]] is known to have existed as early as the 5th century AD and as late as the 12th century AD.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sainz|first=Nicasio Silverio|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AOEBAAAAMAAJ&q=vajravarman|title=Cuba y la Casa de Austria|date=1972|publisher=Ediciones Universal|language=en}}</ref>

Around 740 A.D., the Varmans were feudatories to [[Gupta Empire|Guptas]]. Their capital city in ruins is near Bagmati ([[Murshidabad]]).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nanda|first=J. N.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HsV3cYAvGEEC&dq=varman+of+east+bengal&pg=PA32|title=Bengal: The Unique State|date=2005|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-8069-149-2|language=en}}</ref>

==History==
The Varmans most probably came to Bengal in the train of [[Kalachuris of Tripuri|Kalachuri]] [[Lakshmikarna|Karna's]] invasion of [[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]]. Karna with Vajravarman seems to have invaded southeastern [[Bengal]] from [[Odisha|Orissa]], probably following the same route as [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra Chola's]] army.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y1pDAAAAYAAJ&q=vajravarman|title=Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute|date=1984|publisher=I.B. Corporation|language=en}}</ref> It is quite likely that the Vajravarman accompanied [[Lakshmikarna|Karna]], stayed in [[Bengal]], and at an opportune moment carved out an independent [[Realm|Kingdom]] for themselves.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Sur|first1=Atul Krishna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l0HRAAAAMAAJ&q=varman+dynasty+bengal|title=History and Culture of Bengal|last2=Sur|first2=Atul Kumar|date=1963|publisher=Chuckervertti, Chatterjee|language=en}}</ref>

===Early Rulers===
Vajra Varman was the earliest ruler of this dynasty and victory over [[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]] was achieved under his leadership.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Division|first=Publications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wumhDQAAQBAJ&dq=vajravarman&pg=PT193|title=THE GAZETTEER OF INDIA Volume 2|publisher=Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting|isbn=978-81-230-2265-9|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Yadav|first=J. N. Singh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJNHAAAAMAAJ&q=vajravarman|title=Yadavas Through the Ages, from Ancient Period to Date|date=1992|publisher=Sharada Publishing House|isbn=978-81-85616-03-2|language=en}}</ref> According to Mr. R.D Banerjee and Dr. D.C Ganguly Varman Kingdom in Eastern Bengal was founded by Vajravarman.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Majumdar|first=Ramesh Chandra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FqosAAAAMAAJ&q=vajravarman|title=History of Ancient Bengal|date=1971|publisher=G. Bharadwaj|language=en}}</ref> The only record mentioning Vajra Varman's name is the [[Belava]] inscription, which praised him only as a [[poet]], brave [[warrior]], and an [[intellectual]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Majumdar|first=Ramesh Chandra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0CsLAQAAIAAJ&q=vajravarman|title=The History of Bengal ...|date=1943|publisher=University of Dacca|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ajJRAQAAIAAJ&q=vajravarman|title=Publication|date=1967|publisher=Asiatic Society|language=en}}</ref>

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 [[Lakshmikarna|Karna]] in latter's expedition of Bengal.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Wahengbam Ibohal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S_4dAAAAMAAJ&q=jatavarman+bengal|title=The History of Manipur: An early period|date=1986|publisher=Manipur Commercial Company|language=en}}</ref>

The reference to Jatavarman's marriage with Virashri, daughter of [[Lakshmikarna|Karna]], and to Kaivarta chief Divya, who wrested northern Bengal from the [[Pala Empire|Palas]], help us in fixing the date of Jatavarman's rise to power sometime in between 1050 and 1075 AD.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ajJRAQAAIAAJ&q=jatavarman|title=Publication|date=1967|publisher=Asiatic Society|language=en}}</ref>

The account of Jatavarman's military conquests is given in the [[Belava]] plate of Bhojavarman.
Jatavarman's marriage with [[Lakshmikarna|Karna's]] daughter Virashri was significant and was perhaps a great factor in the rise of the political fortunes of the Varman Dynasty.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Paul|first=Pramode Lal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8APVAAAAMAAJ&q=jatavarman+bengal|title=The Early History of Bengal: From the Earliest Times to the Muslim Conquest|date=1939|publisher=Indian Research Institute|language=en}}</ref>

Jatavarman's assault on [[Anga]], as mentioned in the Belava plate, must have involved him in a struggle with the [[Pala Empire|Pala Empire]] but he made himself powerful in the region after capturing the parts of [[Anga]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Sur|first1=Atul Krishna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l0HRAAAAMAAJ&q=jatavarman|title=History and Culture of Bengal|last2=Sur|first2=Atul Kumar|date=1963|publisher=Chuckervertti, Chatterjee|language=en}}</ref>

Jatavarman's other two adversaries were Govardhana and the King of [[Kamarupa]]. He snatched away a part of Pundravardhana , then under the sovereign rule of Kamarupa.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Baruah|first1=Amlan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xy5uAAAAMAAJ&q=jatavarman|title=Assam State Gazetteer|last2=Choudhury|first2=S. B. Roy|date=1999|publisher=Editor-in-Chief, District Gazetteers, Government of Assam|language=en}}</ref>

===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 [[Bhubaneswar|Bhuvanesvara]] inscription, where it is recorded that he ruled for a long time.

Harivaman, having seen [[Ramapala|Ramapala's]] success in recovering northern [[Bengal]], propitiated Ramapala in order to avoid a [[Pala Empire|Pala]] attack on his territory.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bengal (India)|first=West|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AiFuAAAAMAAJ&q=varman+dynasty+|title=West Bengal District Gazetteers|date=1994|publisher=State editor, West Bengal District Gazetteers|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Chatterjee|first=Rama|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xgEYAAAAIAAJ&q=varman+dynasty+bengal|title=Religion in Bengal: During the Pala and Sena Times : Mainly on the Basis of Epigraphic and Archaeological Sources|date=1985|publisher=Punthi Pustak|language=en}}</ref> It is doubtful whether Harivarman extended his rule towards [[Odisha|Orissa]]. There is reference to a son of Harivarman both in the [[Bhubaneswar|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 [[Sri Lanka|Lankan]] King [[Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa|Vijayabahu I]]; in all probability Trailokyasundari, daughter of Samalavarman, was married to the [[Lanka]]n king.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kapoor|first=Subodh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8897ridkczoC&dq=varman+dynasty+bengal&pg=PA694|title=Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography|date=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|isbn=978-81-7755-299-7|language=en}}</ref>

===Decline===
Bhoja Varman, son of Samalavarman was the last independent ruler of Varman Dynasty and the [[Belava|Belava plate]] was issued in his fifth regnal year from the jayaskandhavara situated at [[Bikrampur|Bikramapura]]. He was defeated by [[Vijaya Sena|Vijaysena]] of [[Sena dynasty|Sena Dynas]] and rule of Varmans over southeast [[Bengal]] came to an end.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Raatan|first=T.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lvI6W-r3OIAC&dq=varman+dynasty+&pg=PA143|title=Encyclopaedia of North-East India|date=November 2003|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7835-068-4|language=en}}</ref>

==List of Rulers==
The rulers of the Varman/Yadava dynasty include:

*Vajra Varman
*Jata Varman
*Hari Varman
*Samala Varman
*Bhoja Varman

==Culture==
===Religion===
The Varmans were followers of [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]]. They centralizes the worship of [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] instead of [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] practice.<ref>{{Cite book|last=West|first=Barbara A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pCiNqFj3MQsC&dq=varman+dynasty+&pg=PA96|title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania|date=2010-05-19|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-1913-7|language=en}}</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:East Bengal]]
[[Category:Munshiganj District]]
[[Category:Rulers of Bengal]]

Varman Dynasty (Bengal) - Revision history

->Citation bot: Alter: url. URLs might have been anonymized. Add: authors 1-1. Removed parameters. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by AManWithNoPlan | #UCB_webform 737/773