Salastambha Dynasty of Assam - Ancient Assam History
Salastambha Dynasty of Assam - Ancient Assam History - Assam Dynasty - Major Dynasties of Assam - Which temple was built in Assam during Salastambha Dynasty?
Salastambha dynasty of Assam
Salastambha dynasty was a near 300 year long monarchy. Who was the immediate successor of Bhaskar Varman is not known. According to some scholar, it was Avantivarman who after a short reign was overthrown by Salastambha. While according to some scholar, Salastambha and Avantivarman was the same person. Salastambha was succeeded by mainly twenty kings.
The most important king of Salastambha dynasty are given below- Salastambha (c.665-675 A.D) Unknown successors (c.675-725 A.D) Sri Harshadeva (c.725-750A.D) Balavarman-II (c.750 to 765 A.D) Unknown successors (c.765-810 A.D) Prolambha or Salambha (c.810-815 A.D) Harjaravarman (c.815-835 A.D) Vanamala Varman (c.835-865 A.D) Jayamala (c.865-885 A.D) Balavarman-III (c.885-910 A.D) Unknown successors (c.910-970 A.D) Tyagasingha (c.970-990 A.D)
SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY- Salastambha (c.665-675 A.D)
Salastambha dynasty was founded by Salastambha itself, who ruled from c.665-675 A.D. Salastambha ruled over the same territory as was under Varmanas. However during the later part the territory was confined to Kamrup only. Salastambha was most probably a Non-Aryan. Salastambha was mentioned as Mlechchadhinath in Bargaon inscription of Ratnapala. The deity Harak Or Hetuka sulin of Salastambha was a Non-Aryan Deity.
SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY- Sri Harshadeva (c.725-750A.D)
Sri Harshadeva was the illustrious of all Salastambha king, being credited with the overlordship of Gauda, Kalinga, Kosala and other lands. Harshadeva's daughter Rajyamati was married to the Nepal Lichchavi king Jayadeva-II. Harshadeva was described as Gaudradi kalinga Koshala pati in Pashupati epigraph of Jayadeva-II. Defeated ruler of Saila dynasty and wrested from him Kalinga and Koshala. Harshadeva defeated Jivitagupta-II and held his sway over parts of Magadha and Harshadeva's conflict with western Chalukya of Karnataka is mentioned in samagad epigraph of Dantidurga. Harshadeva's highest peak of military glory was Gauda (Bengal) , Kalinga, Parts of Magadha (Bihar), Northern parts of Madras state, south Koshala (Near Awadh), Parts of Orissa. Harshadeva was overthrown by Yashovarman of Kannauj.
SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY- Balavarman-II (c.750 to 765 A.D)
According to the Hayunthal epigraph Sri Harshadeva was succeeded by his son Bala Varman-II, who ruled from c.750 to 765 A.D. Bala Varman-II was also a powerful monarch.
SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY- Prolambha or Salambha (c.810-815 A.D)
Prolambha who was the great grandson of Harshadeva and son of Balavarman was contemporary of Gopala. Prolambha shifted his capital Kamrup to Harrupeswar. Prolambha continue to rule as per Indo-Aryan practices of the state but at the same time during the period of 9th to 10th century, it was marked by increasing influence of local practices and decreasing impact of Indo-Aryan practices. Prolambha's son was perhaps the first of this line of Kings to perform his coronation ceremony according to Vedic rites. He assumed the high sounding title maharajadhiraja Parameshwara Paramabhattaraka. He was left was to inscriptions- The Hayunthal copper plate found at Nagaon and Tezpur rock epigraph.
SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY- Harjaravarman (c.815-835 A.D)
Harjaravarman was son of Prolambha. Harjaravarman was one of the powerful king of Salastambha dynasty. The inscription of Bala Varman-III describes him as Great King. Harrupeswar was the capital of Harjaravarman, he built a lofty Siva temple and rows of stately buildings in his capital city- Harrupeswar. He assumed the high sounding title maharajadhiraja Parameshwara Paramabhattaraka. His conflict with Jayapala, brother of Devapala is mentioned in Hayunthal grant and Tezpur rock epigragh. Hazara pukhuri of Tezpur bears the memory of this king.
SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY- Vanamala Varman (c.835-865 A.D)
Vanamala Varman was son of Harjaravarman. During the weak rule of Vigrahapala of Gauda, Vanamala Batman took the advantage of the decline of the Bengal and recovered Kamrupa's lost possession of Pundravardhan in Bengal, to signalise his victory donated lands to a Brahmana almost near the area where Bhutivarman of Varman dynasty donated land (recorded in the Tezpur grant). He was devout worshipper of Siva and abdicating his throne in favour of his son Jayamala. He fasted unto death evidently under the influence of religion. Vanamala Varman left us two records- The Tezpur Grant and The Parvatia Plates. He died in the temple of Siva Podum Pukhuri.
SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY- Jayamala (c.865-885 A.D)
Jayamala was son of Vanamala- who was a devout worshipper of Siva and abdicating his throne in favour of his son Jayamala. Jayamala himself fasted unto death.
SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY- Balavarman-III (c.885-910 A.D)
Balavarman-III was son of Jayamala. He was another one important king of Salastambha dynasty. Balavarman-III made several land grants in different parts of his kingdom. In his grants, he also assumed the high sounding title Maharajadhiraja Parameswar Paramabhattaraka.
SALASTAMBHA DYNASTY- Tyagasingha (c.970-990 A.D)
There is a gap in the historical account of the period between the reign of Bala Varman-III and Tyagasingha, who was the last king of Salastambha dynasty and they possibly ruled during the period c. 910-970 A.D.
