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Bhaskaravarman

Bhaskaravarman was king of Kamarupa and the last ruler of the Varman dynasty. He restored Varman rule after his father, Susthitavarman, was defeated, and allied with Harshavardhana of Thaneswar during a conflict against Gauda and East Malwa.

Background
Bhaskaravarman succeeded his brother Supratisthitavarman and was the first Kamarupa king to claim descent from Narakasura, Bhagadatta, and Vajradatta. He issued the Dubi and Nidhanpur copper plate grants. A clay seal bearing his name was found at Nalanda. After Susthitavarman's defeat by Mahasenagupta, Supratisthitavarman briefly ruled but died without an heir. Bhaskaravarman then took the throne around 600 CE. == Rivals ==
Rivals
Mahasenagupta allied with Shashanka and controlled northern and central Bengal after defeating Susthitavarman. After Mahasenagupta's death, Shashanka ruled Bengal. Bhaskaravarman's principal rivals were Shashanka and Prabhakaravardhana, the father of Harshavardhana. ==Alliance with Harsha==
Alliance with Harsha
After Shashanka killed Harshavardhana's brother and successor, Rajyavardhana, Bhaskaravarman sent an envoy, Hangsavega, to Thaneswar to form an alliance. The event is recorded by Bana and Xuanzang. ==Chinese accounts==
Chinese accounts
Xuanzang's account Chinese pilgrim, Xuanzang visited Bhaskaravarman's court around 643 CE, describing the capital's circumference as thirty Li (~9 miles (14.48 km)). He described Bhaskaravarman as descendant of Narayana and a Brahmana by caste who patronized Buddhism, although he was not a Buddhist himself. Dao Xuan's account Origin myth mentioned by Xuanzang diverges from the account presented in the book She-Kia-Fang-Che, which describes Bhaskaravarman as a Kshatriya of Chinese ancestry. ==Kamarupa of Bhaskaravarman==
Kamarupa of Bhaskaravarman
According to the travel account of Xuanzang, Kamarupa was entered after crossing the Karatoya River. He described the eastern boundary of the kingdom as a line of hills near the Chinese frontier and estimated its circumference at nearly 1,700 miles (approximately 2,736 kilometres). According to the account given in the Si-yu-ki, the circumference of Kamarupa was about 1,700 miles (2,735.88 km). As Edward Albert Gait has pointed out, this circumference must have included the whole of the Assam valley, Surma valley, parts of North Bengal, and parts of Mymensingh. Religion Bhaskaravarman was primarily a worshiper of Shiva but showed respect towards Buddhist monks and scholars, reflecting an inclination towards Buddhism. The general populace worshipped various Devas in temples, while Buddhist followers often practiced their devotion in secret. Culture During his reign, the Nidhanpur copper plate grant documents unique local literary forms, while Chinese accounts describe diplomatic exchanges with Harshavardhana's court. The Karnasuvarna copper plate grant also features distinct regional literary styles not found in later inscriptions. Art and industry His gifts to Harshavardhana included land products such as a royal umbrella studded with gems, puthis on sachi-bark, cane mats, agar essence, musk, molasses, utensils, paintings, and silk fabrics, as recorded in contemporary accounts. ==Nidhanpur inscription==
Nidhanpur inscription
inscription of Bhaskaravarman'' The Nidhanpur copper plate inscription describes him using traditional royal epithets, stating he “dispelled the darkness of the Kali age” and “upheld Arya religion with his revenues”—typical ceremonial language found in contemporary royal inscriptions. He is metaphorically adorned with fame from defeated kings’ praises and compared to legendary figures for charity and wisdom. The inscription attributes to him qualities typical of royal panegyrics, including learning and military strength. ==Nalanda seal==
Nalanda seal
Bhaskaravarman's seal, dated 643 CE, was discovered at Nalanda with Harshvardhana seals during the 1917–18 excavations. The inscription lists royal names and may have accompanied an invitation to Xuanzang. The presence of both kings’ seals suggests they visited Nalanda K.N. Dikshit, in his “Epigraphical notes of the Nalanda finds”, proposes that the seal probably accompanied Bhaskaravarman's letter to Śīlabhadra inviting Xuanzang. Bhaskaravarman's seal was found in the company of the two Harsha seals. It is likely that both Harsha and Bhaskaravarman traveled from Rajmahal to Kanauj, specifically to visit the university of Nalanda. Besides inviting the Chinese pilgrim, they commemorated their visits by leaving their respective seals at the university. ==Death==
Death
The date and circumstances of Bhaskaravarman's death are unknown; his reign likely ended on ~650 CE. == Post-death events ==
Post-death events
Historian Kanaklal Barua suggests a revolt by the Mlechhas took place after Bhaskaravarman's death, leading Salastambha to seize the throne from Bhaskaravarman's successor Avantivarman. ==Legacy==
Legacy
The Assamese Calendar or Bhāskarābda is a Lunisolar calendar, followed in the Indian state of Assam is named after him. The calendar is counted from the date of the ascension of Kumar Bhashkar Barman to the throne of Kamarupa. It differs 593 years with Gregorian calendar. Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University in Nalbari, Assam, and Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu over Brahmaputra river is named after him. ==See also==
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