Rule of Varman Dynasty in Assam

The political history of Assam begins from the first millennium AD when the dynasties started forming. The Brahmaputra Valley of Assam was ruled by several kingdoms and the actual political history of the state begins with the Varman Dynasty that ruled over Assam from 350 A.D. to 650 A.D. when Assam was known as Kamrupa and its capital was Pragjyotishpur. Pushya Varman, who was a contemporary of Samudragupta formed the Varman Dynasty during the 4th century A.D. It was a helot of Gupta Empire but as the power of the Gupta Dynasty declined, Mahendra Varman another rule of the Varman Dynasty, who ruled from 470 to 494 performed two horse sacrifices and got rid of the burden and repression of the Guptas. After the downfall of this dynasty, Salastambha dynasty and Palla dynasty, respectively ruled over Kamrupa.
 

The Varman Dynasty is also known as Bhauma or Naraka dynasty as it is believed to have its lineage of the mythological characters Narakasura, Bhagadatta and Vajradatta. The dynasty founded by Pushyavarman ruled over Kamarupa for about three hundred years. The kingdom of Kamarupa flourished during the rule of Samudravarman, Balavarman and Narayanvarman who descended lineally from Pushyavarman. Since the genealogy of the Varman dynasty appears most fully in the Dubi and Nidhanpur copper plate inscriptions, Pushya Varman is named the founder.  According to the second clay seal of Nalanda, Mahendravarman was reffered to as the performer of 'two horse sacrifices'. Mahabhutavarman also known as Bhutivarman (510-555 AD) succeeded his father Narayanabarman. The Badganga inscription states that this king performed Aswamedha sacrifice. Bhutivarman had a number of feudatory kings. He is believed to have conquered Pundravardhana in about 550 A.D. After Bhutivarman his son Chandramukhavarman ascended the throne of Kamarupa. Sthitavarman succeeded him.
 

Kumar Bhaskarvarman was the last and the greatest ruler of Varman Dynasty, who ruled over Kamrupa, the erstwhile Assam from 594-650 A.D. He was the one to bring back the lost glory and charm of the dynasty. He was well versed in sastras and endowed with kingly qualities, exhibited devotion to duty, and unfailing love for his people. A landmark during his rule was his coalition with king Harsavardhana. Both the monarchs found a common enemy in the king of Gauda. It is evident from the Nidhanpur Grant and from the account of Hiuen-Tsang that Bhaskarvarman was in possession of Gauda and with it Karnasuvarna. After the death of Bhaskarvarman, the rule of Varman dynasty came to an end and the seat of Kamrupa was taken over by Salastambha dynasty.