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Varman Dynasty (Bengal)
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The Varman Dynasty of Bengal (1035-1150 A.D) was a Hindu Yadava dynasty which originated in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent.[1][2] The Varmans took control of Eastern Bengal (Comprising the ancient land of Harikela, Vanga and Samatata) after replacing the Chandra Dynasty.[3] They established their capital at Bikrampur in present-day Munshiganj District of Bangladesh.[4][5]
Varman Dynasty | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1035 A.D–1150 A.D | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
| Capital | Bikrampur | ||||||||
| Common languages | Sanskrit Bengali | ||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||
| |||||||||
History of Varman Dynasty is known from three copperplates and the Bhuvanesvara inscription of Bhatta Bhavadeva.[6]
Origin[edit]
The rulers of Varman dynasty belonged to Majhraut[7] clan of Yadava race and were related to royal Yadava family of Simhapura.[8]
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 which has been identified with modern Singapuram in Kalinga (northern Orissa) between Chicacole and Narasannapeta.[9][10] Few other historian says Simhapura is modern day Singur, which is in Hooghly district of West Bengal.[11]
The Yadava Dynasty of Simhapura in Kalinga is known to have existed as early as the 5th century AD and as late as the 12th century AD.[12]
Around 740 A.D., the Varmans were feudatories to Guptas. Their capital city in ruins is near Bagmati (Murshidabad).[13]
History[edit]
The Varmans most probably came to Bengal in the train of Kalachuri Karna's invasion of Vanga. Karna with Vajravarman seems to have invaded southeastern Bengal from Orissa, probably following the same route as Rajendra Chola's army.[14] It is quite likely that the Vajravarman accompanied Karna, stayed in Bengal, and at an opportune moment carved out an independent Kingdom for themselves.[15]
Early Rulers[edit]
Vajra Varman was the earliest ruler of this dynasty and victory over Vanga was achieved under his leadership.[16][17] According to Mr. R.D Banerjee and Dr. D.C Ganguly Varman Kingdom in Eastern Bengal was founded by Vajravarman.[18] The only record mentioning Vajra Varman's name is the Belava inscription, which praised him only as a poet, brave warrior, and an intellectual.[19][20]
Adideva was minister of Vajra Varman, whose grandson Bhatta Bhavadeva served as the minister of war and peace under King Harivarman.
Jatavarman[edit]
Jatavarman was the son of Vajravarman and it is believed that Jatavarman accompanied Karna in latter's expedition of Bengal.[21]
The reference to Jatavarman's marriage with Virashri, daughter of Karna, and to 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.[22]
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.[23]
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.[24]
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.[25]
Harivarman[edit]
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.[26][27] 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[edit]
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.[28]
Decline[edit]
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 Dynas and rule of Varmans over southeast Bengal came to an end.[29]
List of Rulers[edit]
The rulers of the Varman/Yadava dynasty include:
- Vajra Varman
- Jata Varman
- Hari Varman
- Samala Varman
- Bhoja Varman
Culture[edit]
Religion[edit]
The Varmans were followers of Vaishnava. They centralizes the worship of Vishnu and Shiva instead of Buddhist practice.[30]
References[edit]
- ↑ Division, Publications. THE GAZETTEER OF INDIA Volume 2. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2265-9.
- ↑ The Gazetteer of India: History and culture. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 1973.
- ↑ Nanda, J. N. (2005). Bengal: The Unique State. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-149-2.
- ↑ Chakrabarti, Kunal; Chakrabarti, Shubhra (22 August 2013). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-8024-5.
- ↑ Majumdar, Gayatri Sen (1983). Buddhism in Ancient Bengal. Navana.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Caudharī, Abhayakānta (1977). Aṅgikā sāhitya kā itihāsa (in हिन्दी). Śekhara Prakāśana.
- ↑ Chakrabarti, Kunal; Chakrabarti, Shubhra (22 August 2013). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-8024-5.
- ↑ Hazra, Kanai Lal (1995). The Rise and Decline of Buddhism in India. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. ISBN 978-81-215-0651-9.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Division, Publications. THE GAZETTEER OF INDIA Volume 2. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2265-9.
- ↑ Sainz, Nicasio Silverio (1972). Cuba y la Casa de Austria. Ediciones Universal.
- ↑ Nanda, J. N. (2005). Bengal: The Unique State. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-149-2.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Raatan, T. (November 2003). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-068-4.
- ↑ West, Barbara A. (19 May 2010). Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4381-1913-7.