Second Battle of Eran
Toramana was ultimately defeated five years after the First Battle of Eran (510 CE) by local Indian rulers, with Bhanugupta, a regional king, sometimes credited for his victory over him. Bhanugupta's inscription from 510 CE, found in Eran, mentions his involvement in "a great battle," and though the details are unclear, it has been interpreted by some as indicating his role in Toramana's defeat.[1]
| Battle of Daśapura (515 CE) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Gupta–Hunnic Wars | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
|
Gupta Empire Aulikara dynasty | Alchon Huns | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Bhanugupta Narshimagupta Prakashadharma Aulikara | Toramana † | ||||||||
Battle
changeToramana was eventually defeated by local Indian rulers, with the ruler Bhanugupta sometimes credited with his defeat. Bhanugupta's 510 CE inscription from Eran refers to his involvement in a "great battle," but the details of this conflict are vague, leaving room for various interpretations.[1][3] [4]Some scholars, such as Mookerji, suggest that the inscription, along with references in the Manjusri-mula-kalpa, imply that Bhanugupta was actually defeated by Toramana in the battle at Eran, leading to the western Gupta province of Malwa falling under Huna control.[5] In this scenario, Toramana would have been recognized as the ruler of the region, as noted in the Eran boar inscription.[5]
Eran pillar inscription of GoparajaEran pillar of GoparajaEran stone pillar inscription of Bhanugupta.Rubbing of the inscription.
- (Line 1) Ôm! In a century of years, increased by ninety-one; on the seventh lunar day of the dark fortnight of (the month) Srâvana; (or in figures) the year 100 (and) 90 (and) 1; (the month) Srâvana; the dark fortnight; the day 7: —
- (Line 2)—(There was) a king, renowned under the name of . . . . râja, sprung from the . . laksha (?) lineage; and his son (was) that very valorous king (who was known) by the name (of) Mâdhava.
- (Line 3)— His son was the illustrious Gôparâja, renowned for manliness; the daughter's son of the Sarabha king; who is (even) now (?) the ornament of (his) lineage.
- (Line 5) — (There is) the glorious Bhanugupta, the bravest man on the earth, a mighty king, equal to Pârtha, exceedingly heroic; and, along with him, Gôparâja followed . . . . . . . . . . (his) friends (and came) here. [And] having fought a very famous battle, he, [who was but little short of being equal to] the celestial [king (Indra)], (died and) went to heaven; and (his) devoted, attached, beloved, and beauteous wife, in close companionship, accompanied (him) onto the funeral pyre.
— Eran inscription of Bhanugupta, 510 CE.[6]
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Toramana was decisively defeated by King Prakashadharma of the Aulikara dynasty of Malwa after nearly 20 years of his presence in India. According to the Rīsthal stone-slab inscription, which was discovered in 1983, this victory occurred in 515 CE.[7][8][9]
Prakashadharma was a notable king of this dynasty, who assumed the title, Adhiraja. The Rīsthal inscription gives us information about his achievements.[1]
The First Hunnic War ended with a defeat for the Huns, and their army reportedly withdrew to the Punjab region.[7] The Manjusri-mula-kalpa just says that Toramana died in Benares while he was heading back west after fighting Narasimhagupta.[5]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Misra, Om Prakash (2003). Archaeological Excavations in Central India: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Mittal Publications. p. 7. ISBN 978-81-7099-874-7.
- ↑ ALRAM, MICHAEL (2003). "Three Hunnic Bullae from Northwest India" (PDF). Bulletin of the Asia Institute. 17: 180, Figure 11. ISSN 0890-4464. JSTOR 24049314.
- ↑ Bhattacherje, S. B. (2009-05-01). Encyclopaedia of Indian Events & Dates. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-207-4074-7.
- ↑ Pruthi, R. K. (2004). The Classical Age. Discovery Publishing House. p. 262. ISBN 978-81-7141-876-3.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Mookerji, Radhakumud (1989). The Gupta Empire. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 120. ISBN 978-81-208-0089-2.
- ↑ Fleet 1888, p. 93.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bakker, Hanes (2020). The Alkhan: A Hunnic People in South Asia. B. pp. 484–534.
- ↑ Bakker, Hans (2015-06-29). The World of the Skandapurāṇa. BRILL. p. 34. ISBN 978-90-04-27714-4.
- ↑ Ojha, N. K. (2001). The Aulikaras of Central India: History and Inscriptions. Arun Publishing House. pp. 48–50. ISBN 978-81-85212-78-4.