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| predecessor = [[Toramana]] |
| predecessor = [[Toramana]] |
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| successor = Toramana II |
| successor = Toramana II |
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| death_date = 542 |
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| religion = [[Hinduism]] |
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[[File:Mihirakula Coin.jpg|300px|thumb|Coin of Mihirakula.]] |
[[File:Mihirakula Coin.jpg|300px|thumb|Coin of Mihirakula.]] |
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[[File:Map of the Alkhon Huns and conquests.jpg|thumb|Mihirakula led campaigns from Alchon territories into [[Gujarat]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]].]] |
[[File:Map of the Alkhon Huns and conquests.jpg|thumb|Mihirakula led campaigns from Alchon territories into [[Gujarat]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]].]] |
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[[File:The defeat of the Ephalites, or White Huns A.D. 528.jpg|thumb|The defeat of the [[Alchon Huns]] under Mihirakula by King [[Yasodharman]] at [[Sondani]] in 528 CE.]] |
[[File:The defeat of the Ephalites, or White Huns A.D. 528.jpg|thumb|The defeat of the [[Alchon Huns]] under Mihirakula by King [[Yasodharman]] at [[Sondani]] in 528 CE.]] |
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| ⚫ | '''Mihirakula''', also '''Mahiragula''', was one of the most important rulers of the [[Alchon Huns]], of , northern and central [[India]]. Mihirakula was a son of [[Toramana]] the Indian part of the [[Hephthalite Empire]]. Mihirakula ruled his empire from 502 to 530.<ref name=Rene>{{citation |last=Grousset |first=Rene |title=The Empire of the Steppes |publisher=Rutgers University Press |year=1970 |isbn=0-8135-1304-9 |p=71}}</ref> |
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[[File:VishnuGandhara.JPG|thumb|upright|The [[Vishnu nicolo seal]] representing [[Vishnu]] with a worshipper (possibly Mihirakula), 4th–6th century CE. The inscription in cursive [[Bactrian language|Bactrian]] reads: "[[Mitra (Vedic)|Mihira]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]]". [[British Museum]].]] |
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| ⚫ | '''Mihirakula''', also '''Mahiragula''', was one of the most important rulers of the [[Alchon Huns]], |
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According to Buddhist texts, the Huna king Mihirkula was extremely cruel and barbaric.<ref name=britmihirkula>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mihirakula Mihirkula], Encyclopaedia Britannica</ref> He destroyed Buddhist sites, ruined monasteries, killed monks. Yashodharman and [[Gupta Empire]] rulers, in and after about 532 CE, reversed Mihirkula's campaign and ended the Mihirkula era.<ref name="Sagar"/><ref name="Majumdar1977p242"/> |
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==Etymology== |
==Etymology== |
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The name "Mihirakula" is most likely of [[Iranian languages|Iranian]] origin and may have the meaning "[[Mithra]]'s Begotten", as translated by [[Janos Harmatta]].<ref>Janos Harmatta, "The Rise of the Old Persian Empire: Cyrus the Great," AAASH Acta Antiqua Acadamie Scientiarum Hungaricae 19, 197, pp. 4-15.</ref> |
The name "Mihirakula" is most likely of [[Iranian languages|Iranian]] origin and may have the meaning "[[Mithra]]'s Begotten", as translated by [[Janos Harmatta]].<ref>Janos Harmatta, "The Rise of the Old Persian Empire: Cyrus the Great," AAASH Acta Antiqua Acadamie Scientiarum Hungaricae 19, 197, pp. 4-15.</ref> |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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According to Sagar, the Huna king Toramana was cruel and barbaric, his son Mihirkula even more so, during their rule.<ref name="Sagar"/> Mihirkula had conquered Sindh by 520 CE, had a large elephant and cavalry-driven army. Mihirkula destroyed Buddhist sites, ruined monasteries, according to Sagar. Yashodharman, about 532 CE, reversed Mihirkula's campaign and started the end of Mihirkula era.<ref name="Sagar">Foreign Influence on Ancient India by Krishna Chandra Sagar [https://books.google.com/books?id=0UA4rkm9MgkC&pg=PA216 p.216]</ref><ref name=britmihirkula/> Mihirkula issued coins, like the Kushana era kings, showing Oesho or Shiva, which suggests that he may also have patronized [[Shaivism]]. Other scholars state that there are many legends surrounding this era and historical facts are difficult to ascertain. The Chinese pilgrim [[Xuanzang]] (Hsuan Tsang) mentions Mihirkula as conquering Kashmir first, then Gandhara, then attempting to conquer central and eastern India, but getting vanquished by Yashodharman and Narasimhagupta Baladitya. Mihirkula was captured during the war, but his life spared because Baladitya's mother intervened and argued against capital punishment.<ref name="Majumdar1977p242">{{cite book|author=Ramesh Chandra Majumdar|title=Ancient India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNxiN5tzKOgC&pg=PA242|year=1977|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0436-4|pages=242–244}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Louis Renou|author2=Jean Filliozat|title=Political history of India from the earliest times to the 7th century A.D. by J. Filliozat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=THxDAAAAYAAJ|year=1957|publisher=Susil|pages=176–183}}</ref> He returned to Kashmir, states the Chinese pilgrim, with treachery seized power, attacked Gandhara, then died within a few months.<ref name="Majumdar1977p242"/> |
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===Cosmas Indicopleustes=== |
===Cosmas Indicopleustes=== |
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The 6th-century [[Alexandria]]n traveler [[Cosmas Indicopleustes]] states that the Hephthalites in India reached the zenith of its power under |
The 6th-century [[Alexandria]]n traveler [[Cosmas Indicopleustes]] states that the Hephthalites in India reached the zenith of its power under , from the last part of his name.<ref name="Dani"/> |
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{{quote|"Higher up in India, that is, farther to the north, are the White Huns. The one called Gollas when going to war takes with him, it is said, no fewer than two thousand elephants, and a great force of cavalry. He is the lord of India, and oppressing the people forces them to pay tribute.|[[Cosmas Indicopleustes]], [http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/cosmas_11_book11.htm Book XI]}} |
{{quote|"Higher up in India, that is, farther to the north, are the White Huns. The one called Gollas when going to war takes with him, it is said, no fewer than two thousand elephants, and a great force of cavalry. He is the lord of India, and oppressing the people forces them to pay tribute.|[[Cosmas Indicopleustes]], [http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/cosmas_11_book11.htm Book XI]}} |
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===Xuanzang=== |
===Xuanzang=== |
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"The Record of the Western Regions" by the 7th-century Chinese traveler [[Xuanzang|Hsüan-tsang]] states that Mihirakula destroyed [[Buddhism]] and killed monks in Gandhara.<ref name="Neelis">Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks by Jason Neelis [https://books.google.com/books?id=GB-JV2eOr2UC&pg=PA168 p.168]</ref> Xuanzang wrote in 630 CE that Mihirakula had conquered all India. The Narasimhagupta Baladitya defeated Mihirakula was finally captured by the Indian king, who later spared his life.<ref name="Neelis"/> Xuanzang states that while Mihirkula lost his conquest, his brother seized power in Kashmir and Gandhara. Mihirakula returned to [[Kashmir]], with treachery seized the throne, attacked Gandhara but died within a year.<ref name="Majumdar1977p242"/> |
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"The Record of the Western Regions" by the 7th-century Chinese traveler [[Xuanzang|Hsüan-tsang]] describes Mihirakula as: |
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{{quote|"He was of quick tallent and naturally brave. He subdued all the neighboring provinces without exception."}} |
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However Xuanzang also explained that Mihirakula ordered the destruction of [[Buddhism]] and the expulsion of monks.<ref name="Neelis">Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks by Jason Neelis [https://books.google.com/books?id=GB-JV2eOr2UC&pg=PA168 p.168]</ref> In a fanciful account, Xuanzang, who wrote in 630 CE, reported that Mihirakula had conquered all India except for an island where the king of Maghada named Balditya (who could be Gupta ruler Narasimhagupta Baladitya) took refuge, but that Mihirakula was finally captured by the Indian king, who later spared his life.<ref>Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas by Ashvini Agrawal [https://books.google.com/books?id=hRjC5IaJ2zcC&pg=PA245 p.245]</ref><ref name="Neelis"/> Xuanzang goes on explaining that meanwhile the brother of Mihirakula had seized power over the [[Hephthalites]]. Mihirakula set off for [[Kashmir]] where the king received him with honor. After a few years Mihirakula incited a revolt against the king of Kashmir and seized his power. Then he invaded [[Gandhara]] located westward, and killed many of its inhabitants and destroyed its Buddhist shrines. But Mihirakula died shortly afterwards.<ref name="Dani">{{cite book |title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia: The crossroads of civilizations, A.D. 250 to 750 |first=Ahmad Hasan |last=Dani |authorlink=Ahmad Hasan Dani |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ |year=1999 |isbn=8120815408 |page=142 |accessdate=November 5, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com.pk/books?id=FcKtIPVQ6REC}}</ref><ref>Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas by Ashvini Agrawal [https://books.google.com/books?id=hRjC5IaJ2zcC&pg=PA245 p.245]</ref> |
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===Gwalior inscription=== |
===Gwalior inscription=== |
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{{main|Gwalior inscription of Mihirakula}} |
{{main|Gwalior inscription of Mihirakula}} |
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The [[Gwalior inscription of Mihirakula|Gwalior inscription]] issued in the 15th [[regnal year]] |
The [[Gwalior inscription of Mihirakula|Gwalior inscription]] issued in the 15th [[regnal year]] Mihirakula included Gwalior |
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{{quote|"(There was) a ruler of [the earth], of great merit, who was renowned by the name of the glorious [[Toramana|Tôramâna]]; by whom, through (his) heroism that was specially characterised by truthfulness, the earth was governed with justice.<br> |
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Of him, the fame of whose family has risen high, the son (is) he, of unequalled prowess, the lord of the earth, who is renowned under the name of Mihirakula, (and) who, (himself) unbroken, [broke the power of] Pasupati."}} |
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===Sondani columns inscription=== |
===Sondani columns inscription=== |
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{{main|Sondani inscription}} |
{{main|Sondani inscription}} |
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Mihirakula suffered a defeat by the [[Aulikaras|Aulikara]] king [[Yasodharman]] of [[Malwa]]<ref>Ojha, N.K. (2001). ''The Aulikaras of Central India: History and Inscriptions'', Chandigarh: Arun Publishing House, {{ISBN|81-85212-78-3}}, p.52</ref> in 528, and the Gupta emperor [[Narasimhagupta]] who previously paid Mihirakula tribute. The defeat at the battle of [[Sondani]], resulted in the loss of Alchon possessions in the Punjab and north India by 542.<ref name="Vondrovec2014">{{cite book|author=Klaus Vondrovec|title=Coinage of the Iranian Huns and Their Successors from Bactria to Gandhara (4th to 8th Century CE)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ek6_jgEACAAJ|year=2014|isbn=978-3-7001-7695-4}} |
Mihirakula suffered a defeat by the [[Aulikaras|Aulikara]] king [[Yasodharman]] of [[Malwa]]<ref>Ojha, N.K. (2001). ''The Aulikaras of Central India: History and Inscriptions'', Chandigarh: Arun Publishing House, {{ISBN|81-85212-78-3}}, p.52</ref> in 528, and the Gupta emperor [[Narasimhagupta]] who previously paid Mihirakula tribute. The defeat at the battle of [[Sondani]], resulted in the loss of Alchon possessions in the Punjab and north India by 542.<ref name="Vondrovec2014">{{cite book|author=Klaus Vondrovec|title=Coinage of the Iranian Huns and Their Successors from Bactria to Gandhara (4th to 8th Century CE)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ek6_jgEACAAJ|year=2014|isbn=978-3-7001-7695-4}}</ref> |
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{{quote|"He (Yasodharman) to whose two feet respect was paid, with complimentary presents of the flowers from the lock of hair on the top of (his) head, by even that (famous) king Mihirakula, whose forehead was pained through being bent low down by the strength of (his) arm in (the act of compelling) obeisance"|[[Sondani inscription|Sondani pillar inscription]]<ref name="PM">Punjab Monitor, April 2013 [http://www.punjabmonitor.com/2013/04/sondhni-pillars-where-punjabis-met-with.html], from Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 147-148.</ref>}} |
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==Persecution of Gandharan Buddhists== |
==Persecution of Gandharan Buddhists== |
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Revision as of 15:44, 22 December 2017
| Mihirakula | |
|---|---|
| Tegin of the Alchon Huns | |
 Portrait of Mihirakula.[1] | |
| Reign | 515-540 |
| Predecessor | Toramana |
| Successor | Toramana II |
Mihirakula, also Mahiragula, was one of the most important rulers of the Alchon Huns, who led a conquest and gained temporary control of Gandhara, Kashmir, northern and central India. Mihirakula was a son of Toramana, both of Huna heritage and ruled the Indian part of the Hephthalite Empire. Mihirakula ruled his empire from 502 to 530.[2]
According to Buddhist texts, the Huna king Mihirkula was extremely cruel and barbaric.[3] He destroyed Buddhist sites, ruined monasteries, killed monks. Yashodharman and Gupta Empire rulers, in and after about 532 CE, reversed Mihirkula's campaign and ended the Mihirkula era.[4][5]
Etymology
The name "Mihirakula" is most likely of Iranian origin and may have the meaning "Mithra's Begotten", as translated by Janos Harmatta.[6]
Description
According to Sagar, the Huna king Toramana was cruel and barbaric, his son Mihirkula even more so, during their rule.[4] Mihirkula had conquered Sindh by 520 CE, had a large elephant and cavalry-driven army. Mihirkula destroyed Buddhist sites, ruined monasteries, according to Sagar. Yashodharman, about 532 CE, reversed Mihirkula's campaign and started the end of Mihirkula era.[4][3] Mihirkula issued coins, like the Kushana era kings, showing Oesho or Shiva, which suggests that he may also have patronized Shaivism. Other scholars state that there are many legends surrounding this era and historical facts are difficult to ascertain. The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hsuan Tsang) mentions Mihirkula as conquering Kashmir first, then Gandhara, then attempting to conquer central and eastern India, but getting vanquished by Yashodharman and Narasimhagupta Baladitya. Mihirkula was captured during the war, but his life spared because Baladitya's mother intervened and argued against capital punishment.[5][7] He returned to Kashmir, states the Chinese pilgrim, with treachery seized power, attacked Gandhara, then died within a few months.[5]
Cosmas Indicopleustes
The 6th-century Alexandrian traveler Cosmas Indicopleustes states that the Hephthalites in India reached the zenith of its power under "Gollas", which states Ahmad Dani is same as Mihirakula from the last part of his name.[8]
"Higher up in India, that is, farther to the north, are the White Huns. The one called Gollas when going to war takes with him, it is said, no fewer than two thousand elephants, and a great force of cavalry. He is the lord of India, and oppressing the people forces them to pay tribute.
Xuanzang
"The Record of the Western Regions" by the 7th-century Chinese traveler Hsüan-tsang states that Mihirakula destroyed Buddhism and killed monks in Gandhara.[9] Xuanzang wrote in 630 CE that Mihirakula had conquered all India. The Narasimhagupta Baladitya defeated Mihirakula was finally captured by the Indian king, who later spared his life.[9] Xuanzang states that while Mihirkula lost his conquest, his brother seized power in Kashmir and Gandhara. Mihirakula returned to Kashmir, with treachery seized the throne, attacked Gandhara but died within a year.[5]
Gwalior inscription
The Gwalior inscription issued in the 15th regnal year created by Matricheta in a Surya temple, mentions Mihirakula. It confirms that Mihirakula reign had included Gwalior around 535 CE.
Sondani columns inscription
Mihirakula suffered a defeat by the Aulikara king Yasodharman of Malwa[10] in 528, and the Gupta emperor Narasimhagupta who previously paid Mihirakula tribute. The defeat at the battle of Sondani, resulted in the loss of Alchon possessions in the Punjab and north India by 542.[11]
Persecution of Gandharan Buddhists
Mihirakula is remembered by Buddhist sources to have been "terrible persecutor of their religion" in Gandhara — a region in northern Pakistan.[2] Under his reign, over a thousand Buddhist monasteries throughout Gandhara are said to have been destroyed.[12]
Notes
- ^ CNG Coins [1]
- ^ a b Grousset, Rene (1970), The Empire of the Steppes, Rutgers University Press, p. 71, ISBN 0-8135-1304-9
- ^ a b Mihirkula, Encyclopaedia Britannica
- ^ a b c Foreign Influence on Ancient India by Krishna Chandra Sagar p.216
- ^ a b c d Ramesh Chandra Majumdar (1977). Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 242–244. ISBN 978-81-208-0436-4.
- ^ Janos Harmatta, "The Rise of the Old Persian Empire: Cyrus the Great," AAASH Acta Antiqua Acadamie Scientiarum Hungaricae 19, 197, pp. 4-15.
- ^ Louis Renou; Jean Filliozat (1957). Political history of India from the earliest times to the 7th century A.D. by J. Filliozat. Susil. pp. 176–183.
- ^ Dani, Ahmad Hasan (1999). History of Civilizations of Central Asia: The crossroads of civilizations, A.D. 250 to 750. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 142. ISBN 8120815408. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ a b Early Buddhist Transmission and Trade Networks by Jason Neelis p.168
- ^ Ojha, N.K. (2001). The Aulikaras of Central India: History and Inscriptions, Chandigarh: Arun Publishing House, ISBN 81-85212-78-3, p.52
- ^ Klaus Vondrovec (2014). Coinage of the Iranian Huns and Their Successors from Bactria to Gandhara (4th to 8th Century CE). ISBN 978-3-7001-7695-4.
- ^ Behrendt, Kurt A. (2004). Handbuch der Orientalistik. BRILL. ISBN 9789004135956.
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