Bhaskarvarman

Bhaskaravarman
The Kamarupa kingdom of Bhaskaravarman

Bhaskaravarman (bʱaːskərə'vərmən) (600–650) of the Varman dynasty was perhaps the most illustrious of the monarchs of the ancient kingdom of Kamarupa. His name has been immortalised in the accounts of the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, Xuanzang, who visited Kamarupa during his reing. Kamarupa was one of the most advanced kingdoms in India under Bhaskaravarman.

He came to power after his brother Supratisthitavarman had died. A bachelor king, he died without an heir. After his death Salasthambha, who established the Mlechchha dynasty, acquired power in Kamarupa Kingdom after overthrowing Bhaskaravarman's immediate successor, Avantivarman.

Bhaskaravarman is known for his alliance with Harshavardhana against Shashanka, the first major ruler of Bengal (Karnasuvarna). He issued the Nidhanpur copper plate grant from his camp at Karnasuvarna and it moved into his control for a short period.

After Susthitavarman was defeated by Mahasenagupta, his son Supratisthitavarman came to power, who built Kamarupa's elephant army but died prematurely without an heir. Thus, the younger son, Bhaskaravarman, came to power in Kamarupa. Even after he succeeded to the throne c. 600 CE, Bhaskaravarman was known as kumara (prince). The reasons why he was called Kumara are not quite clear. It could be that he was a bachelor throughout his life.

On ascending the throne Bhaskaravarman found two strong rival powers growing in northern India, viz. one in central and northern Bengal under Shashanka and the other in mid-India under Prabhakaravardhana, the father of Harshavardhana.