The Varman Dynasty of Assam
The Varman Dynasty brought a new era to the history of Assam, ending the confusion of its early past. The kings of this dynasty helped shape the culture and politics of ancient Assam, making it an important region in India.
We know about this period through various historical records like the Dobi grant, Nidhanpur Grant, and the Nalanda seals of Bhaskarvarman. These sources give us a clearer understanding of Assam’s history and culture.
Table of Contents
1. Pushyavarman (c. 355 – 380 AD)
Pushyavarman is considered the founder of the Varman Dynasty. While the exact details of his rise to power are unclear, he is identified as the Kamarupa king mentioned in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta, alongside other frontier kingdoms. Though the name of the Kamarupa king was not explicitly mentioned, it is widely accepted that it refers to Pushyavarman.
Pushyavarman was succeeded by his son, Samudravarman, who ruled from around 380 to 405 AD. The Varman kings played a significant role in shaping the history of Assam and establishing its place in Indian politics.
2. Balavarman I: A Key Figure in Kamarupa’s History
Balavarman I (c. 405–420 AD) was an important king of Kamarupa, succeeding his father, Samudravarman. His reign is notable for strengthening ties between Kamarupa and Kashmir through his daughter, Princess Amritaprabha.
Amritaprabha married King Meghavahana of Kashmir. According to Kalhana’s Rajtarangini, she was known as a Kamarupi princess. When she moved to Kashmir, she was accompanied by her father’s preceptor, a Tibetan Buddhist monk named Stunpa. Stunpa built a stupa in Kashmir called Lo-stupa.
Amritaprabha also contributed to Buddhism by building a large monastery called Amritabhavan to support monks from different regions. This suggests that Buddhism was present in Kamarupa long before the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited the region.
Balavarman I’s era reflects the rich cultural and religious connections between Kamarupa and other parts of India, especially Kashmir, as early as the 5th century AD.
3. Kalyanavarman: A Notable Ancient Ruler
Kalyanavarman, who ruled from around 420 to 440 CE, was a prominent king of Assam’s Varman dynasty. He is known for conquering the Kapili Valley by defeating its ruler, expanding his kingdom’s influence.
Apart from his military achievements, Kalyanavarman displayed diplomatic skills by sending a mission to China. This reflects his efforts to establish ties with distant powers. His reign marked a significant period in Assam’s early history.
4. Mahendravarman: A Prominent King of Kamarupa
Mahendravarman ruled Kamarupa from around 450 to 485 CE. He was preceded by Ganapativarman and succeeded by Narayanavarman. Unlike the other rulers of his time, Mahendravarman’s reign was marked by significant achievements.
He was a contemporary of the Gupta emperors Kumaragupta and Skandagupta. Towards the end of Skandagupta’s rule, Mahendravarman likely ended Kamarupa’s allegiance to the Gupta Empire and expanded his territory into southeast Bengal.
Mahendravarman was also the first Kamarupa king to perform the Aswamedha yajna, a grand ritual symbolizing sovereignty and power. His rule strengthened the kingdom and left a lasting impact on its history.
5. Bhutivarman: A Key Ruler of Kamarupa
Bhutivarman (c. 510–555 CE) was an important king of Kamarupa who expanded his kingdom and strengthened its power. He was the grandson of Mahendravarman and built on his work to make Kamarupa stronger.
During Bhutivarman’s reign, the Gupta Empire was weakening, and Yasodharman of Malwa was rising in power. Despite this, Kamarupa remained unaffected. Between 545 and 550 CE, Bhutivarman extended his kingdom to the west, conquering parts of North Bengal and Southeast Bengal. He also gave land to over 200 Brahmin families in these areas.
After Bhutivarman, his successors, like Sthitavarman and Susthitavarman, continued his work, but Kamarupa lost some territory in North Bengal after Susthitavarman’s defeat.
Bhutivarman’s reign is remembered for making Kamarupa a strong and influential kingdom in early Indian history.
6. Bhaskaravarman: The Zenith of Ancient Assam’s Glory
Bhaskaravarman (c. 594–650 CE) was a remarkable king of Kamarupa who played a key role in the politics of northern India in the 7th century. His reign marked the peak of Kamarupa’s power.
In the early years of his rule, Bhaskaravarman formed a crucial alliance with King Harshavardhana of Kanauj to defeat the rising power of Sasanka. Together, they attacked Sasanka from both the east and west, leading to the capture of Gauda and its capital, Karnasuvarna, by Bhaskaravarman.
One of the highlights of his reign was the visit of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang to Kamarupa in 642-43 AD. Bhaskaravarman honored Hiuen Tsang with gifts, including a cap for protection against the cold.
7. Hiuen Tsang’s Description of Kamarupa
The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited Kamarupa in the 7th century and provided a detailed description of the kingdom in his book Si-yu-ki. He mentioned that Kamarupa was about 1,700 miles in size, with its capital being a well-organized and rich town. The land was fertile and well-cultivated, growing crops like jackfruit and coconuts. The climate was mild, and the people were described as simple, honest, and hardworking, though they were short in stature and had a dark yellow complexion.
The people of Kamarupa spoke a language that was slightly different from the central regions of India. They were passionate and eager to learn but had no belief in Buddha. Instead, they worshiped Devas, and the kingdom was filled with temples dedicated to them. The king at the time, Bhaskaravarman, was a Brahmin, and although he didn’t follow Buddhism, he respected scholars and religious teachers.
Hiuen Tsang also described Kamarupa’s geography, noting that it was bordered by hills to the east and wild elephants roamed in the southeast, which were used in warfare. The kingdom extended beyond Kamarupa itself, including parts of Bengal and possibly Bihar.
After Bhaskaravarman’s death, the kingdom went through a period of anarchy. Some believe that Avantivarman succeeded him, while others think that an usurper named Salastambha, possibly of non-Aryan origin, took over and founded a new line of kings.
Also read: The Salastambha Dynasty: A Glimpse into Kamarupa’s History
for more insights into Assam’s history and it’s cultural heritage!