Abhira-Gupta Dynasty
6th century–7th century
CapitalKathmandu
Common languagesSanskrit
Religion
Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
Maharaja 
• Unknown
Ravigupta
• 567-590 A.D
Bhaumagupta
• 622-637 A.D
Jishnugupta
• 637-644 A.D
Vishnugupta
History 
• Established
6th century
• Disestablished
7th century
Preceded by
Licchavi (kingdom)
Copper coin of Jishnu Gupta (c. 622–633) of Abhira-Gupta dynasty. Obverse. The inscription above the winged horse is Sri Jishnu Guptasya
Copper coin of Jishnu Gupta (c. 622–633) of Abhira-Gupta dynasty. Reverse

The Abhira-Gupta Dynasty was a dynasty which existed in the Kathmandu Valley in modern-day Nepal.[1][2] These Abhira-Guptas had overshadowed the Licchavi kings in the administration.[3] Ravigupta,[4] Bhaumagupta, Jishnugupta and Vishnugupta[5] of Abhira-Gupta family controlled Kathmandu (Nepal) as de facto-ruler during many Lichchhavi kings.[6][7][8][9]

Origin and History

The rulers of the Abhira-Gupta dynasty belonged to the Abhira clan[10] as was claimed by the mother of Bhaumagupta.[11] The Abhira-Guptas considered them-selves the descendants of Lunar race of the Kshatriyas.

Early History

During the early Lichhavi period, the Abhiras, who had migrated from the Mathura region of Northern India before the fifth century A.D., occupied the position of ever increasing rank in the administration.[12][13]

The Abhira-Guptas were high official at Lichchhavi court until they usurped royal position.[14]

Ravigupta

Ravigupta, the descent of Abhira-Gupta family[15] was the first Abhira ruler (Abhinayaka) of Nepal.[16][17] However, the Lichhavi King Basantdeva was still respected by all. The Abhira ruler gradually usurped the powers of the Lichhavi king.[18]

Pasupati inscription of Abhiri Gomini confirms that Anuprama was the pen-name of Ravigupta Gomi.[19] Abhirigomini was mother of Bhaumagupta, she had established Anuparmeshware Shivalinga and donated land, money and ornaments to the guthi.[20]

Bhaumagupta

Bhaumagupta's name first appears in A.D 540 inscribed on a Shivalinga conserected by his mother Abhiri Gomini[21] in the memory of her deceased husband, Anuprama. Few years later in A.D 557, we find Bhaumagupta simultaneously enjoying the two of the highest governmental offices, Aide-de-camp (Mahapratihara) and Inspector General of Police (Sarvadandanayaka).[22][23][24]

He was prime minister during the reign period of three Lichhavi kings, i.e Ganadeva, Gangadeva and Sivadeva.[25] His influence started during the reign of King Ganadeva and remain unchanged during the reign of King Gangdeva as well.[26][27] The assuming of high title of Paramadaivataśri by Sarvadandanāyak Bhaumagupta reveals that the Licchavi rulers were being treated by him as no more than puppets.[28][29][30]

Bhaumagupta was a de-facto ruler[31] until A.D 590, when King Sivadeva, the reigning Licchavi had, in fact, begun to assert his royal authority probably with the support of the Varman family.[32][33][34]

The story of Abhira-Guptas family did not end with the illustrious Bhaumagupta, but continued with his descendants Jisnugupta and Vishnugupta. For after the hiatus during Amshuvarman's rule, circa A.D 605-621, when no Gupta or Gomin name is recorded, suddenly Bhaumagupta's grandson Jisnugupta, emerges as a forceful personality.[35]

Jishnugupta

Udayadeva was overthrown by his younger brother Dhruvadeva with the help of Jishnugupta.[36][37] This event must have taken place sometime around 624 A.D, since Udaydeva's inscription declaring him king is dated in the A.D 621. Three years later in year 624 A.D, Jishnugupta's first inscription appears and his usurption of throne is proven.[38] Jishnugupta first appears as joint ruler with Dhruvadeva in A.D 624-25 and then with Bhimarjundeva from 633-635 A.D. He probably ruled alone for some period of time. Two inscription name him sole ruler and coins were struck in his name.[39][40][41]

According to Kevalpur and Thankot inscription, Jishnugupta was grandson of Bhaumagupta and great-grandson of a person known as Managupta Gomi.[42] He wielded power between A.D 624 and 637, was a de-facto ruler, though he continued the fiction of Licchavi sovereignty by placing on the throne Dhruvadeva and Bhimarjundeva. Jishnugupta issued coins in his own name. He not only inherited the dominions but also continued the policy and tradition of previous de-facto rulers.[43][44][45][46]

The Kevalpur inscription of King Jisnugupta clearly mentions that organised towns and village units with self-government existed in Nepal during the rule of the forefathers of Manadeva I.[47]

Manadeva also lived with inferior position like Dhruvadeva till Jishnugupta was alive.[48] Jishnugupta and his son Vishnugupta used the succeeding Licchavi kings as their puppets and maintained absolute rule for a total period of 22 years.[49]

Vishnugupta

Jishnugupta was succeeded by his son Vishnugupta.[50] He enjoyed a brief reign and must have been ousted from the throne by Narendradeva, who restored the Licchavi dynasty in Nepal in A.D 643 with the help of Tibetan king.[51]

List of Rulers

The rulers of the Abhira-Gupta dynasty include:

  • Ravigupta (532 A.D)
  • Bhaumagupta (567-590 A.D)
  • Jishnugupta (624-637 A.D)
  • Vishnugupta (638-643 A.D)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Malla, Kamal Prakash (1989). Nepal: Perspectives on Continuity and Change. Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhuvan University.
  2. ↑ Béguin, Gilles (1997). Nepal: Valley of Gods. India Book Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7310-115-1. Archived from the original on 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  3. ↑ Nepal Antiquary. Office of the Nepal Antiquary. 1978.
  4. ↑ Regmi Research Series. 1970.
  5. ↑ Van (2018-10-24). Abia South & Southeast Asian Art. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-17641-8.
  6. ↑ Sutherland, Sally J. (1992). Bridging Worlds: Studies on Women in South Asia. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-563139-5. Archived from the original on 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  7. ↑ Jośī, Harirāma (1998). Pages of the Forgotten Past. Joshi Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  8. ↑ Mukherjee, Bikash (1993). Religious Centres of North India: Buddhist, Jaina, and Brahmanical Based on Archaeological and Literary Sources. Ramanand Vidya Bhawan. ISBN 978-81-85205-58-8.
  9. ↑ Rana, Pashupati Shumshere J. B.; Dhungel, Dwarika Nath (1998). Contemporary Nepal. Vikas. ISBN 978-81-259-0411-3.
  10. ↑ Malla, Kamal Prakash (1977). Nepal: A Conspectus. Preparatory Committee, 26th Colombo Plan Consultative Committee Meeting. Archived from the original on 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  11. ↑ Vaidya, Tulasī Rāma (2007). Dr. D.R. Regmi as a Historian: An Assessment. Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) for Dr. Dilli Raman Regmi Foundation [Kathmandu]. ISBN 978-99933-52-85-3.
  12. ↑ Amātya, Sāphalya; S錫phalya·Am錫tya; Unesco (1983). Some Aspects of Cultural Policy in Nepal. Unesco. ISBN 978-92-3-102069-8. Archived from the original on 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  13. ↑ Ancient Nepal (in Nepali). The Department. 2009.
  14. ↑ Béguin, Gilles (1997). Nepal: Valley of Gods. India Book Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7310-115-1. Archived from the original on 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  15. ↑ Rai, Lal Deosa (1995). Human Rights in the Hindu-Buddhist Tradition. Nirala. ISBN 978-81-85693-46-0.
  16. ↑ Regmi Research Series. 1970.
  17. ↑ Vaidya, Tulasī Rāma (1985). Crime and Punishment in Nepal: A Historical Perspective. Bini Vaidya and Purna Devi Manandhar.
  18. ↑ Malla, Kamal Prakash (1977). Nepal: A Conspectus. Preparatory Committee, 26th Colombo Plan Consultative Committee Meeting.
  19. ↑ Verma, Thakur Prasad; Singh, Arvind Kumar (1994). A Corpus of the Lichchhavi Inscriptions of Nepal (in Hindi). Ramanand Vidya Bhawan. ISBN 978-81-85205-64-9.
  20. ↑ Kandel, Devi Prasad (2001). Property Rights of Women in Nepal. Ratna Pustak Bhandar. ISBN 978-99933-0-213-1.
  21. ↑ Regmi, D. R.; Studies, Nepal Institute of Asian (1969). Ancient Nepal. Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay.
  22. ↑ Slusser, Mary Shepherd; Vajrācārya, Gautamavajra; Fuller, Manuela (2005). Art and Culture of Nepal: Selected Papers. Mandala Publications. ISBN 978-99946-55-02-1.
  23. ↑ Indian studies: past & present. 1964.
  24. ↑ Joshi, Shankar Lal (1993). Nepal Under Amsuvarma, Golden Period. Anmol Publications. ISBN 978-81-7041-713-2.
  25. ↑ Verma, Thakur Prasad; Singh, Arvind Kumar (1994). A Corpus of the Lichchhavi Inscriptions of Nepal (in Hindi). Ramanand Vidya Bhawan. ISBN 978-81-85205-64-9.
  26. ↑ Regmi Research Series. Regmi Research. 1987.
  27. ↑ Nepal Antiquary. Office of the Nepal Antiquary. 1978.
  28. ↑ Jha, Hit Narayan (1970). The Licchavis of Vaiśālī. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office.
  29. ↑ Tiwari, Sudarshan Raj (2002). The Brick and the Bull: An Account of Handigaun, the Ancient Capital of Nepal. Himal Books. ISBN 978-99933-43-52-3.
  30. ↑ Malla, Kamal Prakash (1989). Nepal: Perspectives on Continuity and Change. Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhuvan University.
  31. ↑ Sutherland, Sally J. (1992). Bridging Worlds: Studies on Women in South Asia. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-563139-5.
  32. ↑ Rai, Lal Deosa (1995). Human Rights in the Hindu-Buddhist Tradition. Nirala. ISBN 978-81-85693-46-0.
  33. ↑ Prācī-jyoti: Digest of Indological Studies. Kurukshetra University. 1966.
  34. ↑ Singh, Harischandra Lal (2006). A Brief Encyclopaedia of Buddhism in Nepal. Ratna Pustak Bhandar. ISBN 978-99933-0-516-3.
  35. ↑ Slusser, Mary Shepherd; Vajrācārya, Gautamavajra; Fuller, Manuela (2005). Art and Culture of Nepal: Selected Papers. Mandala Publications. ISBN 978-99946-55-02-1.
  36. ↑ DHARLO, Nyanang Bhusepa Rinchen (2020-01-01). The Buddhist Holy Sites of Nepal: The Songs of Marvelous Conversation. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. ISBN 978-93-87023-96-3.
  37. ↑ Ancient Nepal (in Nepali). The Department. 2009.
  38. ↑ Vitali, Roberto (1990). Early Temples of Central Tibet. Weatherhill. ISBN 978-0-906026-25-0.
  39. ↑ Gellner, David N. (1995). Nepal: A Guide to the Art and Architecture of the Kathmandu Valley. Shambhala. ISBN 978-1-57062-061-4.
  40. ↑ Sandhu, Gurcharn Singh (2000). A Military History of Ancient India. Vision Books. ISBN 978-81-7094-375-4.
  41. ↑ Rai, L. B. (December 1995). Human Rights in the Hindu Buddhist Tradition. Ratna Pustak Bhandar. ISBN 978-0-7855-0413-9.
  42. ↑ Nepal Antiquary. Office of the Nepal Antiquary. 1978.
  43. ↑ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
  44. ↑ A Comprehensive History of India: pt. 1. A.D. 300-985. People's Publishing House. 1981.
  45. ↑ Jośī, Harirāma (1998). Pages of the Forgotten Past. Joshi Research Institute.
  46. ↑ Sakya, Minabahadura; Śākya, Mīnabahādura (1997). The Life and Contribution of the Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti Devi to Tibetan History: From Tibetan Sources. Book Faith India. ISBN 978-81-7303-065-9.
  47. ↑ Malla, B. C.; Lohani, Iswor Raj; Acharya, Radheshyam (1984). An Evaluation of Development Activities of Nagar Panchayat: A Case Study of Janakpurdham and Tansen Nagar Panchayat. Centre for Economic Development and Administration, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur.
  48. ↑ Pandey, Ram Niwas (2008). Nepal, Through the Ages: Approach to Ancient History, Art, Architecture, Culture & Society. Adroit Publishers. ISBN 978-81-87392-79-8.
  49. ↑ Malla, Kamal Prakash (1977). Nepal: A Conspectus. Preparatory Committee, 26th Colombo Plan Consultative Committee Meeting.
  50. ↑ Aryal, I. R.; Dhungyal, T. P. (1970). A New History of Nepal. Voice of Nepal; [distributor: Educational Enterprise.
  51. ↑ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
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