10-01-2024

ASSAM TOPICS - PRELIMS

ASSAM HISTORY

ANCIENT MEDIAEVAL MODERN

 British annexation
 Sources  Sources
 British administration
 Mythological period  Bhuyans
 Revolts
 Varman Dynasty  Foreign invasions
 Indian National Movement
 Salastambha Dynasty  Chutiya kingdom
 Role of women
 Pala Dynasty  Kachari kingdom
 Koch kingdom
 Ahom kingdom
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ASSAM HISTORY - ANCIENT

SOURCES
LITERARY EPIGRAPHY
Religious Varman dynasty:
• Ramayana foundation of Pragjyotisha by Amurtaraja • The Badaganga epigraph (Bhutivarmana) is the earliest
• Mahabharat known dated inscription of ancient Assam.
• Puran - Kalika Puran (sage Mrkandeya), Garuda, • The Doobi and the Nidhanpur grants and the three
Markandeya, Naradiya, Brahmana, Skanda, Agni, Nalanda clay seals of Bhaskar Varman.
Vishnu puran
• Brahmana – Shatapatha, Gopatha, Aitareya Brahman Salastambha Dynasty:
Secular • Hayunthal grant and Tezpur Rock inscription of Harjajara
• Arthashastra, Raghuvamsa, Dasakumarcharita varman.
• Parvatiya plates of king Vanamalavarmandeva
(Dandin), Harshacharit, Vikramankadeva charita
• The Nogaong grant and Uttarbarbil plates of king
(Bilhana), Rajtarangini Balavarman III
• Hara Gauri Sambada - genealogy of the rulers of
ancient Assam Pala dynasty:
• Hara Gauri Bilasa - ancient geography of Assam • Bargaon and the Sualkuchi grants of Ratnapala
Foreigner’s account • The Gauhati and the Sualkuchi grants of Indrapala,
• Si-yu-ki by Hiuen Tsang • The Gachtal inscription of Gopala
• The accounts of the Shung Shu - mission sent by
Kalyanavaran to China

ASSAM HISTORY - ANCIENT

SOURCES
LITERARY EPIGRAPHY
Religious Others (from other parts of India):
• Ramayana foundation of Pragjyotisha by Amurtaraja • The Kamauli grant (Vaidyadeva) - The victory of
• Mahabharat Ramapala over the Kamarupa king and Vaidyadeva’s
• Puran - Kalika Puran (sage Mrkandeya), Garuda, conquest of Kamarupa.
Markandeya, Naradiya, Brahmana, Skanda, Agni, • The Kanai Barasi rock inscription of North Gauhati -
Vishnu puran Bakhtiyar Khilji’s invasion
• Brahmana – Shatapatha, Gopatha, Aitareya Brahman • Mandasar epigraph (Yasodharman) -his invasion upto
Secular the neighbourhood of Lauhitya.
• Arthashastra, Raghuvamsa, Dasakumarcharita • Aphsad epigraph (Adityasena) - conflict between
(Dandin), Harshacharit, Vikramankadeva charita Mahasenagupta and Susthitavarman.
(Bilhana), Rajtarangini • Pasupati inscription (Jayadeva II) - refers to Harshadeva
• Hara Gauri Sambada - genealogy of the rulers of • Samangad inscription (Dantidurga) - clash between
ancient Assam Harshadeva and Kirtivarman
• Hara Gauri Bilasa - ancient geography of Assam
Foreigner’s account
• Si-yu-ki by Hiuen Tsang
• The accounts of the Shung Shu - mission sent by
Kalyanavaran to China
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ASSAM HISTORY

ORIGIN OF THE NAMES KAMARUPA

Theory 1
PRAGJYOTISHPUR - Kamadeva’s revival
(Gopatha Brahman)
Theory 1
- Brahma made the first calculation of the stars in Theory 2
this region (Kalika puran) - Kamru or Kamrut (lesser
- ‘City of Eastern Astrology’ divinity in Santhali). Associated
with the worship of Kamakhya

ASSAM
Theory 1 : ‘Asama’ – uneven
Theory 2 Theory 2: ’ Acham’ – undefeated, conquerors
- Chao-Theius from China Theory 3: Ha-Chom – low land
- Prag-Zuthis, Madhya-Zuthis, Uttar Zuthis

ASSAM HISTORY

MYTHOLOGICAL RULERS
DANAVA DYNASTY
MAHIRANGA DANAVA
- The earliest known king of ancient Assam.
- Kirata chief.
- Capital was at Mairanka
- Succeeded by
- Hatakasura
- Sambarasura
- Ratnasura
- Ghatakasura. Capital – Mairanka
(Identified with the Mairang
- Ghatakasura was killed by Naraka. Parvat near Guwahati
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ASSAM HISTORY

MYTHOLOGICAL RULERS
ASURA DYNASTY
NARAKASURA
- Son of Mother Earth, Prithvi and boar incarnation JANAK
of Vishnu.
- He is also called Bhauma (born of earth).
- He was brought up by king Janaka of Videha
- The earliest settlement of Aryans in Pragjyotisha.
- He erected a temple for Kamakhya on the
Nilachala hill., excavated a tank and constructed a
road to the temple in a single night.
- Lord Krishna killed him and placed his son
Bhagadatta on the throne.
- According to the Vishnu Purana the general of
Narakasura was Muru.

ASSAM HISTORY

MYTHOLOGICAL RULERS
ASURA DYNASTY
BHAGADATTA “SUPRATIKA”
- “The great Asura Vashkala became on earth the great Bhagadatta.” (Adi Parva)
- Bhanumati in marriage to Durjyodhana.
- Participated in Mahabharata war on the side of Kauravas.
- In Mahabharata, he is referred to as “the mighty king of the Mlechchhas” “not
inferior to Chakra (Indra) in battle” “best wielder of the elephant squad”.
- In the Mahabharata war, Kalinga army was also placed under Bhagadatta
- Referred to as Sailalaya, Parvatapati and Purvasagaravasi in Mahabharata
- He was killed by Arjuna in the Kurukshetra war.
- His valour is mentioned in Drona Parva of Mahabharata.

BHISHMAK
- Found in Skanda Puran.
- His capital was at Kundina, situated on the bank of the river Kundil.
- Daughter Rukmini wanted to marry Krishna. However, Bhismaka wanted her to marry
Sisupala. On the wedding day, Krishna carried her off in his chariot to Dwaraka.
- The Chutiyas trace their descent from Bhishmaka.
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ASSAM HISTORY

MYTHOLOGICAL RULERS

BANASURA

- Son of Mahabali / Bali

- Capital - Sonitpur.
- Built the Mahabhairav Templa
- Usha, Aniruddha and “Hari-Harar Juddha”
(Bhagavat Puran)
- Bana’s grandson Bhaluk made his capital at
Bhalukpong.
- The Akas claim their descent from this prince.

ASSAM HISTORY

VARMAN DYNASTY
PUSHYAVARMAN (c. 355 – 380 AD)
- The founder of Varman dynasty. Contemporary of Samudragupta
- Allahabad pillar prasasti mentions Kamarupa and Davaka kingdom

SAMUDRAVARMAN (c. 380 – 405 AD)

BALAVARMAN (c. 405 – 420 AD) Meghavahana (Ruler of Kashmir)

- His daughter Amritaprabha was married to king Meghavahana of

Kashmir.
- Amritaprabha is said to have been accompanied by her father’s Amritaprabha
(Daughter of
preceptor, a Tibetan Buddhist monk named Stunpa. Balavarman)
- This Stunpa erected a stupa in Kashmir called Lo-stupa.
- Amritaprabha erected in Kashmir a lofty vihara for the benefit of the
foreign monks called Amritabhavan. Source:
Rajtarangini by Kalhana
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ASSAM HISTORY

KALYANAVARMAN (c. 420 – 440 AD)

- Annexed Davaka (Kapili valley) to Kamarupa kingdom
- Sent a diplomatic mission to China.
- He was referred to as Yu-Chai (with the eye or the face like the moon) in China.

GANAPATIVARMAN (c. 440 – 450 AD)

PUNDRAVARDHAN
MAHENDRAVARMAN (c. 450 – 485 AD)
- The first Kamarupa king to perform Aswamedha yajna.
- Surendravarman of Umanchal Rock inscription is identified with him.
NARAYANVARMAN (c. 485 – 510 AD)
BHUTIVARMAN (c. 510 – 555 AD)
- Badaganga epigraph is the earliest dated inscription of ancient Assam.
- Conquered lands in Pundravardhana.
- Donated lands to more than 200 families of Brahmans in Pundravardhan
- The first king of Kamarupa to extend the western frontier of the kingdom
beyond the river Karatoya.

ASSAM HISTORY

CHANDRAMUKHAVARMAN (c. 555 – 565 AD) BHASKARVARMAN (c. 594 - 650 AD)
STHITAVARMAN (c. 565 - 585 AD) - Bhaskarabda began from 594 AD.
- Also called Kumara Raja.
SUSTHITAVARMAN (c. 585 - 593 AD) - Ambassador Hamsavega.
- Renowned as Mriganka. - Bhaskar Varaman also sent a painting to Harsha called
- Later Gupta ruler Mahasenagupta led an expedition as “Paat aru Tulika”.
against him. Kamrupa lost possession of - Bhandi, the general of Harshavardhan and
Pundravardhana Bhaskarvarman both attacked Sasanka of Gauda from
both sides and defeated him.
- Bhaskara issued the famous Nidhanpur grants from
SUSTHITAVARMAN Karnasuvarna (capital of Gauda) reconfirming the
land-grants made by Bhutivarman in Pundravardhana.
- Hiuen Tsang to Kamarupa in 642-43 AD.
- Hiuen-Tsang first came to Nalanda University (Head –
SUPRATISTHITAVARMAN Silabhadra).
- During Hiuen Tsang’s farewell, Bhaskara gifted him a
cap of skin (Ho-la-li).
BHASKARVARMAN - Wang-Hieuen-tse was helped by Bhaskarvarman.
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ASSAM HISTORY

Hiuen Tsang’s account (Si-yu-ki) of Kamarupa

- “The country of Kamarupa is about 10,000 li (nearly 1700 miles) in circuit.
- The capital town is about 30 li.
- The people cultivated the jackfruit and the coconut.
- The climate is soft and temperate.
- The manners of the people are simple and honest.
- The men are of small stature and their complexion dark yellow.
- They adore and sacrifice to the Devas and have no faith in Buddha.
- Bhaskar Varman is of the Brahman caste (which is not actually correct).
Though he has no faith in Buddha, yet he much respects Sramanas of
learning.

Bhaskarvarman was succeeded by Salastambha.

According to some he was succeeded by
Avantivarman (mentioned in Mudrarakshasa).
Some historians opine that both are same.

ASSAM HISTORY

SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY / MLECHCHA DYNASTY

SALASTAMBHA (c. 655 - 675 AD)
- Mentioned as Mlechchadhinath in Bargaon grant of Ratnapala.
- Shifted the capital Hatakeswara or Haruppeswara (present Tezpur area). Capital was named after the name
of his tutelary deity Hataka or Hetuka Sulin.

SRI HARSHADEVA (c. 725 – 750 AD)

- He was described as Gaudradi-Kalinga-Kosala-
pati in the Pashupati epigraph of the Nepal
Lichchavi king Jayadeva II with whom Harsha had
a marriage alliance.
- Defeated Sailya dynasty of Kalinga and Kosala
- Defeated Jivitagupta-II (Magadh)
- Samngad epigraph of the Dantidurga mentioned
Harshadeva’s conflict with the western
Chalukyas.
- Finally Harshadeva was overthrown by
Yasovarman.
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ASSAM HISTORY

SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY / MLECHCHA DYNASTY

HARJARAVARMAN (c. 815 – 835 AD)
- The first Kamarupa kings to assume high-sounding epithets like Maharaja-dhiraja Parameswara parama
bhattaraka.
- Harajara built a temple for Hetuka Sulin in Haruppeswara.
- Excavated Harjarapukhuri in Tezpur.
VANAMALAVARMAN (c. 835 – 865 AD)
Abdicating the throne in favour of his son Jayamala, he fasted
unto death, evidently under the influence of religion.

JAYAMALA (c. 865 – 885 AD)

Also known as Virbahu.

TYAGSINGHA (c. 970 – 990 AD)

Sankaracharya, the famous vedanta
The last ruler of Salastambha dynasty. He died childless and his reformist visitted Kamrupa during this
officials appointed Brahmapala (a governor under the period to enter into debate with the
Salastambhas) as their king. prominenet Tantrik Scholar Abhinava Gupta

ASSAM HISTORY
PALA DYNASTY
BRAHMAPALA (c. 990-1010 AD) DHARMAPALA (c. 1095 - 1120 AD)
- First elected ruler of Kamarupa - Kalika Puran was written under his patronage
- Shifted his capital city to Kamarupanagar (North
RATNAPALA (c. 1010 - 1040 AD) Guwahati)
- Beautified and well fortified the city of Hadapyaka
and renamed it as ‘Durjaya’ or the ‘impregnable JAYAPALA (c. 1120 - 1038 AD)
one’ - Defeated by king Ramapala of Bengal
INDRAPALA (c. 1040 - 1065 AD) - Ramapala did not occupy Karaupa proper, only
snatched away her possessions in North Bengal
- Marriage alliance with the Rashtrakutas (Rajyadevi) and placed this territory under Tingyadeva.
- Believed to use thirty two Birudas (personal titles)

GOPALA (c. 1065 - 1085 AD) - Vaidyadeva succeeded Tingyadeva.

- First Gauda ruler to conquer Kamarupa
- His mother was a Rashtrakuta princes
- Vaidyadeva established the first Brahmana
dynasty in Kamarupa
HARSHAPALA (c. 1085 - 1095 AD)