History of Mahendra and Bhutivarman

Mahendra Varman (470-494 CE)

• Eighth ruler of the Varman Dynasty, notable for his leadership and military accomplishments.
• First king of the Varman Dynasty to perform the Aswamedh ritual, symbolizing royal authority and sovereignty.
• Led Kamrupa in a successful campaign against the Gupta Empire, emerging victorious over its army.
• Credited with liberating the Varman Dynasty from Gupta hegemony, marking a significant shift in regional power dynamics.

Bhutivarman (518-542 CE)

• Known as Maha Bhuti Varman; expanded the kingdom significantly through military conquests in Bengal.
• Donated lands to over 200 Brahmins at the borders of Assam's Karimganj district and Bangladesh, promoting settlement and cultural exchange.
• Brahmana settlers primarily originated from Bengal and partially from the Maithila region, contributing to the region's demographic changes.
• His reign witnessed the integration of large parts of North Bengal and Bihar into the Kamrupa kingdom.
• Descendants of these migrants are now recognized as the modern-day Bengalis in Assam's Barak Valley, northern Tripura, and the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.
• The Nidhanpur copper plates housed in Dhaka museum provide historical evidence of these events and settlements.

Bhaskar Varman (594-650 CE)

• Regarded as the last and most distinguished ruler of the Varman dynasty, leaving a lasting legacy.
• Achieved recognition from Harshavardhan, a prominent contemporary ruler, who honored him at a significant conference in Kanauj.
• During Bhaskar Varman's reign, Kamrupa emerged as a major political force on the Indian subcontinent.
• Collaborated with Harshavardhana to defeat the Bengal ruler Sasanka, effectively forcing him to flee to Orissa, illustrating military prowess and strategic alliances.
• Hosted Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang at his court, leading to cultural exchanges and contributing to historical records of the period.
• The Assamese calendar (Bhaskarābda) commenced from the time of Kumar Bhaskar Barman's ascension, indicating the importance of his reign in the historical timeline of Assam.