About the Varman Dynasty of Kamarupa — the Golden Age of Ancient Assam
The Varman dynasty is the first historical dynasty of Kamarupa and is often described as the golden age of ancient Assam. Founded by Pushyavarman around c. 350 AD, it ruled the region for about three centuries, roughly 350–650 AD. Unlike the earlier Danava and Bhauma lines, the Varmans are known from inscriptions and from the accounts of foreign travellers.
Pushyavarman founded the dynasty during the decline of the Gupta empire, and the first four Varman kings acknowledged the nominal supremacy of the Guptas. The Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta connects the early Varman kings with the Gupta world. Pushyavarman was succeeded by Samudravarman, whose wife Dattadevi is mentioned in inscriptions. The Varman kings performed the Vedic horse sacrifice (asvamedha) to strengthen their rule; Mahendravarman and Narayanavarman are particularly associated with it. The capital was Pragjyotishpur, the western boundary of the kingdom was the Karatoya river, and the kings were predominantly followers of Brahmanism, with Narayanavarman a devotee of Vishnu.
The greatest king of the dynasty was Bhaskaravarman, who ruled c. 600–650 AD. He was a contemporary of the North Indian emperor Harshavardhana and allied with him against Sasanka, the king of Gauda (Bengal) who had killed Harsha's elder brother. Bhaskaravarman sent an embassy, led by his minister Hangsavega, to Harshavardhana, and this is described in Banabhatta's Harshacharita. He was also a patron of Buddhism and had contacts with the Nalanda university. He invited the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang to Kamarupa, and Xuanzang stayed there during his reign.
Bhaskaravarman was the son of Susthitavarman (Mriganka), who had earlier been defeated by the Gauda king Mahasena; the line passed through Supratisthitavarman to Bhaskaravarman. He held the title Maharajadhiraja. The Nidhanpur copper plate belongs to him, though it is a re-issue of an earlier grant first issued by Bhutivarman; the Dubi and Nagaon copper plates are also his. The Varman inscriptions record grants of land to Brahmins and religious establishments. The dynasty ended with the death of Bhaskaravarman, after which the throne was taken over by Salastambha, the founder of the Mlechchha (Salastambha) dynasty. The Varmans claimed descent from Naraka, the legendary founder of the Pragjyotisha lineage, and their kingdom was known as Kamarupa (or Pragjyotisha).
Main Facts about the Varman Dynasty (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Founder: Pushyavarman, around c. 350 AD; the dynasty ruled for about 300 years (c. 350–650 AD).
- Context: rose during the decline of the Gupta empire; the first four kings acknowledged Gupta supremacy.
- Early kings: Pushyavarman → Samudravarman (wife Dattadevi) → ... → Bhaskaravarman.
- Sacrifice: the asvamedha (horse sacrifice); associated with Mahendravarman and Narayanavarman.
- Capital: Pragjyotishpur; western boundary: the Karatoya river.
- Greatest king: Bhaskaravarman (c. 600–650 AD); title Maharajadhiraja.
- Contemporary: Harshavardhana; ally against Sasanka of Gauda.
- Embassy: led by the minister Hangsavega, described in Banabhatta's Harshacharita.
- Religion: Brahmanism (Narayanavarman a devotee of Vishnu) and patronage of Buddhism; Nalanda contacts.
- Xuanzang: invited to Kamarupa by Bhaskaravarman and stayed during his reign.
- Inscriptions: Nidhanpur (re-issue of a grant by Bhutivarman), Dubi and Nagaon copper plates; all of Bhaskaravarman.
- Land grants: to Brahmins and religious establishments.
- End: with Bhaskaravarman; succeeded by Salastambha of the Mlechchha dynasty.
- Descent: claimed descent from Naraka of the Pragjyotisha lineage.
Why the Varman Dynasty Matters for Assam Competitive Exams
The Varman dynasty is the best-documented phase of ancient Assam and a favourite of examiners. Questions concentrate on the founder and dates, Bhaskaravarman and his relations with Harshavardhana and Xuanzang, the copper-plate inscriptions, and the transition to the Salastambha dynasty. This topic also overlaps with the Xuanzang and sources sections.
How to Prepare the Varman Dynasty for Assam Exams
- Fix the timeline. Founder Pushyavarman c. 350 AD; greatest king Bhaskaravarman c. 600–650 AD; end with his death.
- Learn the names. Pushyavarman, Samudravarman, Dattadevi, Mahendravarman, Narayanavarman, Susthitavarman, Bhaskaravarman.
- Link persons to events. Bhaskaravarman → Harshavardhana, Sasanka, Hangsavega, Xuanzang, Nalanda, Nidhanpur.
- Remember the transition. After Bhaskaravarman comes Salastambha (Mlechchha dynasty).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Varman dynasty and when?
Pushyavarman founded the Varman dynasty around c. 350 AD.
Who was the greatest king of the Varman dynasty?
Bhaskaravarman, who ruled c. 600–650 AD and held the title Maharajadhiraja.
With which North Indian king was Bhaskaravarman allied?
Bhaskaravarman was a contemporary of and allied with Harshavardhana against Sasanka of Gauda.
Which inscription belongs to Bhaskaravarman and re-issues an earlier grant?
The Nidhanpur copper plate, a re-issue of an earlier grant first issued by Bhutivarman.
Which dynasty succeeded the Varmans?
After Bhaskaravarman, Salastambha founded the Mlechchha (Salastambha) dynasty.