Varman dynasty (Bengal)

The Varman Dynasty (also known as Yadava-Varman)[1] was a Hindu Yadava[2] dynasty of Indian subcontinent which ruled Bengal,[3] and later East Bihar (Anga).[4] The Varmans established their supremacy after replacing the Chandra Dynasty.[5] Their capital was at Bikrampur in present-day Munshiganj District of Bangladesh.[6][7]

Not to be confused with Varman dynasty.

Varman Dynasty
1035 A.D–1150 A.D
Area ruled by the Varman Dynasty (Comprising the ancient land of Vanga, Anga and Pundravardhana)
Area ruled by the Varman Dynasty (Comprising the ancient land of Vanga, Anga and Pundravardhana)
CapitalBikrampur, Champapuri
Common languagesSanskrit
Prakrit
Religion
Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
Maharaja 
• Unknown
Vajra Varman
• 1046-1085
Jata Varman
• 1085-1131
Hari Varman
• Unknown
Samala Varman
• Unknown
Bhoja Varman
Historical eraMedieval India
• Established
1035 A.D
• Disestablished
1150 A.D
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Chandra dynasty
Sena dynasty

History of Varman Dynasty is known from three copperplates and the Bhuvanesvara inscription of Bhatta Bhavadeva.[8]

Origin

The rulers of Varman dynasty belonged to Majhraut[9] clan of Yadava race and were related to royal Yadava family of Simhapura.[10]

There was 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; and third in the Radha, generally identified with Singur of Hooghly district.[11] From the Lakhmandal inscription, it is clear that Simhapura was in Punjab and was ruled by the Varman family, the only other Varman family, who belonged to Yadava race. There can therefore be hardly any doubt that these Varman rulers were an offshoot of the Yadava-Varman of Simhapura in the Punjab region.[12][13]

The information about Yadava rulers of Simhapura in the Yamuna valley is extracted from Lakhmandal inscription of princess Ishvara. There has been mentioned of Simhapura kingdom, which spread from the Giri/Tonse river to the Ganga and from Lakhmandal to Ambala and Saharanpur in the plains.[14]

History

The Varmans most probably came to Bengal in the train of Kalachuri Karna's invasion of Vanga. According to D.C Ganguly, Vajravarman seems to have invaded southeastern Bengal from Orissa, probably following the same route as Rajendra Chola's army.[15] It is quite likely that the Vajravarman accompanied Karna, stayed in Bengal, and at an opportune moment carved out an independent Kingdom for themselves.[16]

Early Rulers

Vajra Varman was the earliest ruler of this dynasty and victory over Vanga was achieved under his leadership.[17][18] According to Mr. R.D Banerjee and Dr. D.C Ganguly Varman Kingdom in Eastern Bengal was founded by Vajravarman.[19] The only record mentioning Vajra Varman's name is the Belava inscription, which praised him only as a poet, brave warrior, and an intellectual.[20][21]

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 Karna in latter's expedition of Bengal.[22]

The reference to Jatavarman's marriage with Virashri, daughter of Karna, and to Jatavarman's war with 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.[23] He attacked Varendra with a hostility towards Buddhism. Though the Kaivarta regime there did not suffer any loss, a part of Buddhist monastery of Somapura was destroyed by fire set by Jatavarman's army.[24]

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.[25]

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.[26]

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.[27]

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 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.[28][29] 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

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.[30]

Besides Bhojavarman, King Samalavarman had another son named Udayin, who is said to be a great warrior, whom none could approach in the battlefield.[31]

Decline

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 Dynasty and rule of Varmans over southeast Bengal came to an end.[32]

Culture

Religion

The Varmans were followers of Vaishnava. They centralize the worship of Vishnu and Shiva , and held hostility towards Buddhism.[33][24]

References
  1. Mahajan, V. D. (1962). Ancient India. S. Chand Publishing. p. 413. ISBN 978-93-5283-603-1.
  2. Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute. I.B. Corporation. 1984.
  3. Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1971). History of Ancient Bengal. G. Bharadwaj.
  4. Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute. I.B. Corporation. 1984. p. 414.
  5. Nanda, J. N. (2005). Bengal: The Unique State. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-149-2.
  6. Chakrabarti, Kunal; Chakrabarti, Shubhra (22 August 2013). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-8024-5.
  7. Majumdar, Gayatri Sen (1983). Buddhism in Ancient Bengal. Navana.
  8. 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.
  9. Caudharī, Abhayakānta (1977). Aṅgikā sāhitya kā itihāsa (in Hindi). Śekhara Prakāśana.
  10. Chakrabarti, Kunal; Chakrabarti, Shubhra (22 August 2013). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-8024-5.
  11. Rati Tailor. Rise And Decline Of Buddhism In India Kanai Lal Hazra MRML. p. 136.
  12. Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute. I.B. Corporation. 1984.
  13. Indian Culture. Indian Research Institute. 1940.
  14. Lal, Prem Hari Har (1993). The Doon Valley Down the Ages. Interprint. ISBN 978-81-85017-64-8.
  15. Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute. I.B. Corporation. 1984.
  16. Sur, Atul Krishna; Sur, Atul Kumar (1963). History and Culture of Bengal. Chuckervertti, Chatterjee.
  17. Division, Publications. THE GAZETTEER OF INDIA Volume 2. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2265-9.
  18. Yadav, J. N. Singh (1992). Yadavas Through the Ages, from Ancient Period to Date. Sharada Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-85616-03-2.
  19. Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1971). History of Ancient Bengal. G. Bharadwaj.
  20. Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1943). The History of Bengal ... University of Dacca.
  21. Publication. Asiatic Society. 1967.
  22. Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal (1986). The History of Manipur: An early period. Manipur Commercial Company.
  23. Publication. Asiatic Society. 1967.
  24. Ray, Niharranjan (1994). History of the Bengali People: Ancient Period. Orient Longman. pp. 185, 331, 353. ISBN 978-0-86311-378-9.
  25. Paul, Pramode Lal (1939). The Early History of Bengal: From the Earliest Times to the Muslim Conquest. Indian Research Institute.
  26. Sur, Atul Krishna; Sur, Atul Kumar (1963). History and Culture of Bengal. Chuckervertti, Chatterjee.
  27. Baruah, Amlan; Choudhury, S. B. Roy (1999). Assam State Gazetteer. Editor-in-Chief, District Gazetteers, Government of Assam. p. 115.
  28. Bengal (India), West (1994). West Bengal District Gazetteers. State editor, West Bengal District Gazetteers.
  29. Chatterjee, Rama (1985). Religion in Bengal: During the Pala and Sena Times : Mainly on the Basis of Epigraphic and Archaeological Sources. Punthi Pustak.
  30. Kapoor, Subodh (2002). Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography. Cosmo Publications. ISBN 978-81-7755-299-7.
  31. Epigraphia Indica. Manager of Publications. 1982.
  32. Raatan, T. (November 2003). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-068-4.
  33. West, Barbara A. (19 May 2010). Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4381-1913-7.
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