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#REDIRECT [[Varman dynasty (Bengal)]]
{{Short description|Hindu Yadava dynasty}}
{{Distinguish|Varman dynasty}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox Former Country
|native_name =
|conventional_long_name = Varman Dynasty
|common_name = Yadava-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 [[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]], [[Anga]] and Pundravardhana)
|capital = [[Bikrampur]], [[Champapuri]]
|common_languages = [[Sanskrit]]<br />[[Magadhi Prakrit|Prakrit]]
|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 =
|}}
The '''Varman Dynasty''' (also known as '''Yadava-Varman''')<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mahajan |first=V. D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sjscEAAAQBAJ&q=yadava+varman&pg=PA506 |title=Ancient India |date=1962 |publisher=S. Chand Publishing |isbn=978-93-5283-603-1 |page=413}}</ref> was a [[Hindus|Hindu]] [[Yadav]]a<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8lpDAAAAYAAJ&q=yadava+varman+dynasty |title=Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute |date=1984 |publisher=I.B. Corporation |language=en}}</ref> dynasty of [[Indian subcontinent]] which ruled Bengal,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Majumdar |first=Ramesh Chandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FqosAAAAMAAJ&q=yadava+varman+dynasty |title=History of Ancient Bengal |date=1971 |publisher=G. Bharadwaj |language=en}}</ref> and later East Bihar (Anga).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8lpDAAAAYAAJ&q=varman+anga |title=Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute |date=1984 |publisher=I.B. Corporation |page=414}}</ref> The Varmans established their supremacy 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> Their capital was 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=22 August 2013|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>


{{Redirect category shell|
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>
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==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=22 August 2013|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-8024-5|language=en}}</ref>

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 (historical region)|Kalinga]] which has been identified with modern Singapuram in Kalinga (northern Orissa) between [[Srikakulam|Chicacole]] and [[Narasannapeta]]; and third in the Radha, generally identified with Singur of Hooghly district.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rati Tailor |url=http://archive.org/details/riseanddeclineofbuddhisminindiakanailalhazramrml_379_c |title=Rise And Decline Of Buddhism In India Kanai Lal Hazra MRML |pages=136}}</ref> From the [[Lakhamandal|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.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8lpDAAAAYAAJ&q=varman+yadava+dynasty |title=Indian Culture: Journal of the Indian Research Institute |date=1984 |publisher=I.B. Corporation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tXtfkkKiwogC&q=Vajravarman |title=Indian Culture |date=1940 |publisher=Indian Research Institute |language=en}}</ref>

The information about Yadava rulers of Simhapura in the [[Yamuna]] valley is extracted from [[Lakhamandal|Lakhmandal]] inscription of princess Ishvara. There has been mentioned of Simhapura kingdom, which spread from the Giri/Tonse river to the Ganga and from [[Lakhamandal|Lakhmandal]] to [[Ambala]] and [[Saharanpur]] in the plains.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lal |first=Prem Hari Har |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pm_iAAAAMAAJ&q=Kingdom+giri |title=The Doon Valley Down the Ages |date=1993 |publisher=Interprint |isbn=978-81-85017-64-8 |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]]. According to D.C Ganguly, 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.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

===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 Jatavarman's war with [[Mahishya|Kaivarta]] chief [[Varendra rebellion#The dynasty|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> 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 Mahavihara|Somapura]] was destroyed by fire set by Jatavarman's army.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Ray |first=Niharranjan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEBuAAAAMAAJ&q=history+of+Bengali+people+nihar+ranjan+roy |title=History of the Bengali People: Ancient Period |date=1994 |publisher=Orient Longman |isbn=978-0-86311-378-9 |pages=185, 331, 353 |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]] 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 |pages=115 |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>

Besides Bhojavarman, King Samalavarman had another son named Udayin, who is said to be a great warrior, whom none could approach in the battlefield.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DVboAAAAMAAJ&q=Udayin+approach |title=Epigraphia Indica |date=1982 |publisher=Manager of Publications |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 Dynasty]] 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>

==Culture==
===Religion===
The Varmans were followers of [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]]. They centralize the worship of [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] , and held hostility towards [[Buddhism]].<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=19 May 2010|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-1913-7|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Medieval Hindu kingdoms]]
[[Category:Medieval India]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Hindu dynasties]]
[[Category:Rulers of Bengal]]

Latest revision as of 20:28, 19 January 2024