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{{short description|Ruler of the Kamarupa kingdom in ancient India from 600 to 650 CE}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Bhaskaravarman
| succession = King of [[Kamarupa]]
| reign = 600–650 CE
| title =
| image = File:Kamarupa_Kingdom_of_Bhaskar_Varman.png
| caption = The 7th-century Kamarupa kingdom under Bhaskaravarman.<ref name="acharya_map">{{harvcol|Dutta|2008|p=282}}, reproduced from {{harvcol|Acharya|1968}}.</ref> The kingdom extended to the east up to the hills leading to China,<ref>"He travelled from Pun-na-fa-tan-na (Pundravardhana) on the east more than 900 ''li'' or 150 miles; crossed a large river and reached Kia-no-leu-po (Kamarupa). The ''T'ang Shu'' refers to this large river as Ka-lo-tu, which undoubtedly meant the Karatoya. The pilgrim further stated that to the east of the country was a series of hills which reached as far as the confines of China." {{harvcol|Baruah|1986|p=75}}</ref> according to the Chinese pilgrim [[Xuanzang]] who visited Bhaskarbarman's court during his reign around 643 CE.
}}
{{Assam History}}
'''Bhaskaravarman''' (600–650 CE) 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 [[Harsha]]vardhana of Thaneswar during a conflict against [[Kingdom of Gauda|Gauda]] and East Malwa.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra Nath |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9380607344 |page=39}}</ref>{{sfn|Baruah|1986|p=}}

==Background==
Bhaskaravarman succeeded his brother [[Supratisthitavarman]] and was the first Kamarupa king to claim descent from [[Narakasura]], [[Bhagadatta]], and [[Vajradatta]].<ref name="Sharma 1978 xiv">{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=Mukunda Madhava |title=Inscriptions of Ancient Assam |publisher=Gauhati University |year=1978 |page=xiv}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bhaskaravarman, Bhāskaravarman: 3 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bhaskaravarman |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=Wisdom Library |date=21 January 2021 }}</ref> He issued the Dubi and Nidhanpur [[copper]] plate grants.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=Mukunda Madhava |title=Inscriptions of Ancient Assam |publisher=Gauhati University |year=1978}}</ref> A clay seal bearing his name was found at [[Nalanda district|Nalanda]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Dikshit |first=K.N. |year=1922 |title=Epigraphical Notes of the Nalanda Finds |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.108415/page/n83/mode/2up |journal=Epigraphia Indica |volume=12 |pages=78–80}}</ref>

After [[Susthitavarman|Susthitavarman's]] defeat by [[Mahasenagupta]], Supratisthitavarman briefly ruled but died without an heir. Bhaskaravarman then took the throne around 600 CE.{{sfn|Gait|1906|pp=53–55}}

== Rivals ==
[[Mahasenagupta]] allied with [[Shashanka]] and controlled northern and central [[Bengal]] after defeating [[Susthitavarman]].{{sfn|Barua|1933}} After Mahasenagupta's death, Shashanka ruled Bengal. Bhaskaravarman's principal rivals were Shashanka and [[Prabhakaravardhana]], the father of [[Harshavardhana]].{{sfn|Baruah|1986}}

==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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sircar |first=D.C. |title= The Comprehensive History of Assam : Political History |publisher=Publication Board Assam |year=1990 |editor-last=Barpujari |editor-first=H.K. |volume=1 |pages=94–171}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Beal |first=Samuel |title=Si-Yu-Ki |year=1884}}</ref>

==Chinese accounts==

===Xuanzang's account===
{{Kamarupa}}
Chinese pilgrim, [[Xuanzang]] visited Bhaskaravarman's court around 643 CE, describing the capital's circumference as thirty [[Li (unit)|Li]] (~9 miles (14.48 km)). He described Bhaskaravarman as descendant of [[Narayana]] and a [[Brahmin|Brahmana]] by caste who patronized [[Buddhism]], although he was not a Buddhist himself.<ref>{{cite book |last=Beal |first=Samuel |url=https://archive.org/details/siyukibuddhistre02bealuoft/page/196/mode/2up |title=Si-Yu-Ki |year=1884 |page=196}}</ref>

===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.<ref name="Sharma 1978 xiv"/>

===Wang Xuance's account===
After 648 CE, the envoy [[Wang Xuance]] visited [[Harsha|Harshavardhana's]] court but was expelled by [[Yashovarman]]. Wang returned with an army, captured Yashovarman, and brought him to China. Bhaskaravarman aided Wang with supplies.{{sfn|Barua|1933}} Chinese records call Bhaskaravarman Ch-Kieu-mo (Sri-Kumara) and Kamarupa Kia-mu-lu. He gave Wang a map and requested an image of [[Laozi]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Ghosh |first=Suchandra |year=2012 |title=Karnasuvarna |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Karnasuvarna |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=Banglapedia |publisher=Asiatic Society of Bangladesh}}</ref>

==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).<ref name=":0" />

Xuanzang recorded descriptions of the population using descriptive terms typical of seventh-century travel accounts. He noted that the inhabitants were of short stature and described them as having a yellow complexion, language that reflects contemporary ethnographic conventions rather than modern classifications. He observed that their speech differed little from that of Central India and characterized them as both violent in disposition and diligent in learning.

In religious matters, Xuanzang wrote that Bhaskaravarman followed [[Hindus|Hindu]] religious traditions and was not [[Buddhists|Buddhist]]. He reported that the population worshipped Hindu deities and that Buddhism was not widely practiced, noting the presence of hundreds of temples and multiple religious systems with many adherents. He stated that Buddhists were present in the kingdom but practiced their devotion discreetly.

Xuanzang also recorded information conveyed to him by local inhabitants, who said that hills extended eastward as far as the borders of China. The people living in these hill regions were described as resembling those referred to as the “Man of the Lao,” reflecting second-hand reports and the classificatory language of the period.<ref name=":0" />

===Description===
Xuanzang notes that Kamarupa was low and moist and that the crops were regular. Coconuts and jackfruits grew abundantly and were appreciated by the people. The described location is around present-day [[Guwahati]].<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last=Beal |first=Samuel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ct4GAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA196 |title=Si-Yu-Ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World |publisher=Trubner & Co. |year=1884 |volume=II |page=196}}</ref>

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.{{sfn|Gait|1906|pp=23–24}}

===Religion===
Bhaskaravarman was primarily a worshiper of [[Shiva]] but showed respect towards [[Bhikkhu|Buddhist monks]] and scholars, reflecting an inclination towards Buddhism.<ref>https://archive.org/details/siyukibuddhistre02bealuoft/page/196/mode/2up</ref> The general populace worshipped various Devas in temples, while Buddhist followers often practiced their devotion in secret.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=ekf7v9yJ6k4C&pg=PA45</ref>

===Culture===
During his reign, the Nidhanpur copper plate grant documents unique local literary forms, while Chinese accounts describe diplomatic exchanges with Harshavardhana's court.<ref name="Wakhal Nachom">{{cite web | title=Wakhal Nachom | date=2006 | url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465125/page/n47/mode/2up }}</ref> The Karnasuvarna copper plate grant also features distinct regional literary styles not found in later inscriptions.<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/44143290]{{Dead link|date=September 2025}}</ref>

===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.<ref name="Wakhal Nachom"/><ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=L7iV6DwAuQAC&pg=PA67</ref>

==Nidhanpur inscription==
{{main|Nidhanpur copperplate inscription}}
[[File:Nidhanpur Inscription of Bhaskar Varman.jpg|thumb|180x180px|<div style="text-align: center;"><small>''[[Nidhanpur]] inscription of Bhaskaravarman''</small></div>]] 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.{{tone inline|date=September 2025}} The inscription attributes to him qualities typical of royal panegyrics, including learning and military strength.<ref>Sharma, Mukunda Madhava (1978). ''Inscriptions of Ancient Assam''. Gauhati University.</ref>

==Nalanda seal==
[[File:Seal of Bhaskar Varman Found at Nalanda dated 643 A.D.jpg|thumb|180x180px|The Nalanda seal of Bhaskaravarman (dated 643 CE)]]
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.<ref>Dikshit, K.N. (1922). "Epigraphical Notes of the Nalanda Finds." ''Epigraphia Indica'', Vol. XII.</ref> The presence of both kings’ seals suggests they visited Nalanda

{{blockquote|<poem>Sri Ganapati Varma Sri Yajnavatyam Sri Mahendra Varma.
Sri Suvratayam Sri Narayanavarma Sri Devavatyam Sri Mahabhuta Varman.
Sri Vijnana Vatyam Sri Chandramukha Varman Sri Bhogavatyam.
Sri Sthitavarma tena Sri Nayana Sobhayam (Sri Susthitavarman)
(Sri Syama Lakshmyam) Sri Supratisthita Varman.
Sri Bhaskara Varmeti.</poem>}}

[[Kashinath Narayan Dikshit|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 [[Kannauj|Kanauj]], specifically to visit the university of [[Nalanda University|Nalanda]]. Besides inviting the Chinese pilgrim, they commemorated their visits by leaving their respective seals at the university.{{sfn|Barua|1933|p=98}}

==Death==
The date and circumstances of Bhaskaravarman's death are unknown; his reign likely ended on ~650 CE.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Varman Dynasty of Kamarupa {{!}} PDF {{!}} Indian Religions |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/933862690/The-Varman-Dynasty-of-Kamarupa |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref>

== 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==
The [[Assamese Calendar]] or Bhāskarābda is a [[Lunisolar calendar]], followed in the [[India]]n state of [[Assam]] is named after him. The calendar is counted from the date of the ascension of [[Bhaskaravarman|Kumar Bhashkar Barman]] to the throne of [[Kamarupa]]. It differs 593 years with Gregorian calendar.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.xobdo.org/dic/ভাস্কৰাব্দ | title=Dictionary }}</ref>

[[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==
* [[Pala dynasty (Kamarupa)|Pala Dynasty]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
* {{citation| last = Acharya| first = N. N.| title = ''Asama Aitihashik Bhuchitravali'' (Maps of Ancient Assam)| publisher = Bina Library, Gauhati, Assam | year = 1968}}
* {{cite book |title=Early History Of Kamarupa |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.513799 |last=Barua |first=Kanak Lal |authorlink= Kanak Lal Barua |year=1933 }}
*{{citation |last=Baruah |first=S L |title=A Comprehensive History of Assam |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd |place=New Delhi |year=1986}}
* {{cite book |last=Beal |first=Samuel |title=Si-Yu-Ki. Buddhist Records of the Western World, Translated from the Chinese of Hsüan-tsang (A.D. 629) |year=1884 |publisher=Trubner & Co.|location=London |volume=II |access-date=17 February 2013 |url=https://archive.org/details/siyukibuddhistre02hsuoft}}
* {{cite thesis|type=PhD |last=Dutta |first=Anima |date=2008 |title=Political geography of Pragjyotisa Kamarupa |publisher=Gauhati University|hdl=10603/68309 |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/68309}}
* {{Citation| last=Gait | given=E A | title=A History of Assam | publisher=Thacker, Spink and Co., Calcutta | year=1906}}
* {{Citation| last=Gait | given=Sir Edward | title=A History of Assam | publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall, Guwahati | year=1926}}
* {{cite book |last=Ghosh |first=Suchandra |year=2012 |chapter=Karnasuvarna |chapter-url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Karnasuvarna |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}
* {{Citation| last = Sircar| first = D C| contribution = Political History| year = 1990b| title = The Comprehensive History of Assam| editor-last = Barpujari| editor-first = H K| volume = I| pages = 94–171| place = Guwahati| publisher = Publication Board, Assam}}
* Kāmarūpa-Kaliṅga-Mithilā:a politico-cultural alignment in Eastern India : history, art, traditions by Chandra Dhar Tripathi, Indian Institute of Advanced Study
* {{cite book| last = Sharma| first = Mukunda Madhava| authorlink = | title = Inscriptions of Ancient Assam| publisher = Gauhati University, Assam| series = | year = 1978| doi = | isbn = }}
{{refend}}
{{Commons category}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhaskaravarman}}
[[Category:Varman dynasty]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:650 deaths]]
[[Category:7th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Kings of Kamarupa]]
[[Category:600 births]]

Bhaskaravarman - Revision history

Gyani24 at 12:45, 7 March 2026