Bhāskaravarman

Bhaskaravarman (bɦaːskərə'vərmən) (600–650) was king of medieval Kamarupa and the last of the Varman dynasty. After being captured by the Gauda king during the reign of his father, he was able to re-establish the rule of the Varmans. He made political alliances with Harshavardhana of Thaneswar, against the alliance of the Gauda and East Malwa. He was visited by Xuanzang and Wang Xuance, the envoys of the Tang dynasty who have left accounts of the king and the kingdom. Bhaskaravarman came to power after his brother Supratisthitavarman died. He was the first Kamarupa king to claim descent from the mythical Narakasura, Bhagadatta and Vajradatta. After his death, Salasthambha, who established the Mlechchha dynasty, acquired power in Kamarupa Kingdom. He issued the Dubi and Nidhanpur copper plate grants, re-issued after his ancestor Bhutivarman, and a clay seal found in Nalanda. 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 600 CE, Bhaskaravarman was known as kumara (prince). Mahasenagupta, in alliance with Shashanka, defeated Susthitavarman and took control over north and central Bengal. After the death of Mahasenagupta, Shashanka became the ruler of this portion. Shortly after, Bhaskaravarman found two rivals in northern India. One in central and northern Bengal under Shashanka and the other in mid-India under Prabhakaravardhana, the father of Harshavardhana. When Shashanka murdered Rajyavardhana who had succeeded Prabhakaravardhana as the king at Thaneswar, Bhaskaravarman sent an envoy, Hangsavega, to form an alliance. This incident was recorded by both Bana and Xuanzang. The Harsha Charita of Bana gives a detailed account of Hangsavega's meeting with Harsha. Plying him with gifts and praise, the diplomat was able to effect an offensive and defensive alliance between the two kings.