Varman dynasty
Also called: Varmans of Kamarupa · Topic: Early Medieval North India: Harsha to the Rajputs · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 7 "The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity"; Class 7, Ch 3 "Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries"
Meaning
The Varman dynasty ruled Kamarupa (present-day Assam) in early times. Its capital was Pragjyotisha, near modern Guwahati. The dynasty is best known through King Bhaskaravarman in the 7th century CE. He was an ally of Harshavardhana of Kannauj, and that friendship helped Harsha in eastern India.
Example
Bhaskaravarman welcomed the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang to his court. A clay seal of this king has been found at Nalanda in Bihar. This shows that Kamarupa had links with that great Buddhist centre of learning.
Don't confuse with
- Varmans of Kanchi (Pallavas): many Pallava kings of south India also had names ending in "-varman", such as Narasimhavarman. They were a different dynasty, in a different region.
Related concepts
- Pushyabhuti dynasty
- Harshavardhana
- Kannauj
- Banabhatta
- Harshacharita
- Kadambari
- Kamarupa
- Prayaga assembly
- Xuanzang