Toramana of Kashmir

Toramana of Kashmir (Gupta script: Śrī Toramāṇa, "Lord Toramana"), was a ruler of Kashmir in the 6-7th century CE. This ruler has often been called "Toramana II" in numismatic studies, but this name now tends to be used for an earlier Alchon Hun ruler of Kabulistan: Toramana II.[1][2]

Toramana of Kashmir
Ruler of Kashmir
Coin of Toramana of Kashmir.
Toramana of Kashmir is located in South Asia
Toramana of Kashmir
Approximate location of Toramana II's territory
Reign6-7th century CE
Alchon Huns
(400–670 CE)
c. 400–440 (Anonymous kings)
c. 430–490 Khingila
c. 490 Javukha
c. 461–493Mehama
c. 490 Lakhana Udayaditya
Aduman
c. 490–515Toramana
c.515–540Mihirakula
c.530–570Toramana II
Kashmir descendants:
6-7th c. Pravarasena
6-7th c. Megavahana
6-7th c.Tujina
6-7th c.Toramana of Kashmir

Descendent of the Alchon Huns

The copper coinage of Toramana of Kashmir is found extensively in the region of Kashmir, together with the similarly-styled coinage of other rulers such as Sri Pravarasena, Sri Megavah, and Sri Tuisyna.[3] These coins are generally dated to the 6th-7th century CE, with the coins of Toramana coming last in the chronology and being copied for several centuries thereafter.[3][4] Other rulers by the name of Toramana are known, such as the famous Alchon Hun rulers Toramana and Toramana II.[2]

Given the time period and the geographical location of these Kashmiri rulers, and the fact that their names are identical or similar to the names of the 5-6th century Hunnish Alchon Hun rulers of northwestern India, it is "very likely" that they were themselves descendents of the Alchon Huns in the Kashmir area.[5] The Alchon Huns are known to have resettled in the area of Gandhara and Kashmir following their defeats in northwestern India.[6][7]

Coinage

The known coinage of Toramana of Kashmir is in copper only. These coins follow the coins types of the later Kushans and Kidarites, with king standing on the obverse and a goddess holding a lotus on the reverse. The name Toramama appears on the obverse legend in 5-6th century Brahmi script. The reverse has the legend "Ki-dd-ra" written vertically, which might refer to the former occupation of Kashmir by the Kidarites. The word Kidara would remain on Kashmir coinage as late as the Karkota dynasty.[8][9]

Coins of Toramana of Kashmir, Shanghai Museum.[10][3]

Appearance in the Rajatarangini

Several rulers with Alchon names appear in Kalhana's Rajatarangini (composed in the 12th century CE).[11]

Although the chronology of the Rajatarangini is largely deficient, several of the names of these rulers, especially those belonging to the so-called Gonanda dynasty (II), have been confirmed by these coin finds in Kashmir and dated to the 6-7th century CE.[5] According to Raj Kumar, "the connection of this coinage with Kalhana's notice cannot be doubted."[11]

According to the Rajatarangini, Toramana of Kashmir was son of Shreshtasena (Pravarasena I) and grandson of Megavahana, and was sub-king to his brother Hiranya. According to the account, Hiranya emprisoned Toramana when the latter stuck royal coins in his own name. The discovery of the coinage of Toramana of Kashmir lends some credence to this story.[12] According to the Rajatarangini, the son of Toramana was Pravarasena II, and again coinage in his name has been found.[13][3]

According to the Rajatarangini, this line of rulers was dethroned by Pratapaditya, son of the founder of the Kashmiri Karkoṭa Empire, Durlabhavardhana.[14][15][16]

Later imitations of the coinage of Toramana of Kashmir

The coins of Toramana of Kashmir remained in use and were copied for several centuries thereafter, until the end of Hindu rule in Kashmir (Lohara dynasty, 1003-1320 CE).[3][17]

  • A coin of the successors of Toramana of Kashmir, dated as late as 855 CE.
    A coin of the successors of Toramana of Kashmir, dated as late as 855 CE.
  • Coin of Jagadeva of the Vuppadevas (Lohara dynasty, Kashmir). 1199-1213 CE. Stylized figure of Toramana standing facing
    Coin of Jagadeva of the Vuppadevas (Lohara dynasty, Kashmir). 1199-1213 CE. Stylized figure of Toramana standing facing

Sources
  • Alram, Michael (2014). "From the Sasanians to the Huns New Numismatic Evidence from the Hindu Kush". The Numismatic Chronicle. 174: 261–291. ISSN 0078-2696. JSTOR 44710198.
  • Cribb, Joe (1 April 2017). "Early Medieval Kashmir Coinage – A New Hoard and An Anomaly". Numismatic Digest. 40.
  • Chandra Ray, Sunil (1969). Early History And Culture Of Kashmir. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal.

References
  1. Cribb 2017, p. 87.
  2. Alram 2014, p. 278.
  3. Cribb 2017, pp. 86–110.
  4. Chandra Ray 1969, p. 45, "A large number of copper coins with the legend Toramana are found in the valley. Though these coins were current up to the end of the Hindu rule, their first circulation might date as far back as the middle of the sixth century".
  5. Cribb 2017, p. 99, "It seems very likely therefore that the rulers of Kashmir at this period were descendents of the Hun kings who ruled large parts of northwestern India from the mid-4th to the 6th century".
  6. Dani, Ahmad Hasan; Litvinsky, B. A. (1996). History of Civilizations of Central Asia: The crossroads of civilizations, A.D. 250 to 750. UNESCO. p. 169. ISBN 9789231032110.
  7. Kim, Hyun Jin (2015). The Huns. Routledge. p. 58. ISBN 9781317340911.
  8. Chandra Ray 1969, p. 234.
  9. Cunningham, Alexander (1894). Coins Of Mediaeval India From The Seventh Century. p. 42.
  10. "Toramana coin (Kashmir) British Museum". The British Museum.
  11. Kumar, Raj (2008). History Of The Chamar Dynasty : (From 6th Century A.D. To 12th Century A.D.). Gyan Publishing House. pp. 318–319. ISBN 978-81-7835-635-8. But the name of Toramana is found on a species of Kashmir copper coins of which remarkably large quantities have been preserved to this day . The connection of this coinage with Kalhana's notice cannot be doubted.
  12. Chandra Ray 1969, p. 45, "The striking of copper coins by Toramana, brother of Hiranya may also have some truth behind. A large number of copper coins with the legend Toramana are found in the valley. Though these coins were current up to the end of the Hindu rule, their first circulation might date as far back as the middle of the sixth century It is not unlikely that they were struck by Hiranya's brother.".
  13. Chandra Ray 1969, p. 45, "Pravarasena II, son of Toramana, is undoubtedly a historical figure. The city of Pravarapura owes its name to him. To him can also be attributed some gold and silver coins which bear unmistakable influence of the Kidara Kusana coins..
  14. Dani, Ahmad Hasan; Litvinsky, B. A. (1996). History of Civilizations of Central Asia: The crossroads of civilizations, A.D. 250 to 750. UNESCO. p. 170. ISBN 9789231032110.
  15. PAL, PRATAPADITYA (1973). "Bronzes of Kashmir: Their Sources and Influences". Journal of the Royal Society of Arts. 121 (5207): 727. ISSN 0035-9114. JSTOR 41371150. Before the Karkotas came to the throne, Kashmir may have been occupied by a long succession of foreign rulers or tribes. Certainly both the Kushänas and the Huns were present in the area for centuries. Indeed, the history of Kashmir begins to take shape only with the foundation of the Karkota dynasty around AD 625. The immediate predecessors of the Karkotas appear to have been Huns...
  16. Kim, Hyun Jin (2015-11-19). "THE HUNS OF CENTRAL ASIA AND SOUTH ASIA: THE KIDARITE AND HEPHTHALITE WHITE HUNS". The Huns. Routledge. p. 58. doi:10.4324/9781315661704. ISBN 978-1-317-34090-4.
  17. Chandra Ray 1969, pp. 45, 234 note 10, "A large number of copper coins with the legend Toramana are found in the valley. Though these coins were current up to the end of the Hindu rule, their first circulation might date as far back as the middle of the sixth century".
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