Mihirakula

Mihirakula
Hephthalite emperor
Coin of Mihirkula
Reign	502-530
Predecessor	Toramana
Died	530
Religion	Hinduism

Mihirakula was one of the most important Hephthalite emperors, whose empire was in the present-day territories of Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern and central India. Mihirakula was a son of Toramana who was a secondary prince of the Indian part of the Hephthalite Empire. Mihirakula ruled his empire from 502 to 530.

The "Mihirakula" was a Central Asian Huna (Indo-European language speaking) origin and may have the meaning "Mithra's Begotten", as translated by Janos Harmatta. Cognates are also known from Sanskrit sources. In classical Sanskrit Mihira means sun, while Kula meeans clan. He is known to have been a follower of Lord Shiva.

The 6th-century Alexandrian traveler Cosmas Indicopleustes states that the Hephthalites in India reached the zenith of its power under Mihirakula. "The Record of the Western Regions" by the 7th-century Chinese traveler Hsüan-tsang describes Mihirakula as:

He was of quick tallent and naturally brave. He subdued all the neighboring provinces without exception.

The Gwalior inscription issued in the 15th regnal year of Mihirakula shows his territory at least included Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, central India. Mihirakula suffered a defeat by the Aulikara king Yasodharman of Malwa in 528, and the Gupta emperor Narasimhagupta who previously paid Mihirakula tribute. According to Hsüan-tsang, Mihirakula was taken as prisoner, and later released, but meanwhile the brother of Mihirakula had seized power over the Hephthalites. Mihirakula set off for Kashmir where the king received him with honor. After a few years Mihirakula incited a revolt against the king of Kashmir and seized his power. Then he invaded Gandhara located westward, and killed many of its inhabitants and destroyed its Buddhist shrines. But Mihirakula died shortly afterwards.

...
Wikipedia