Varman Dynasty

The Varman dynasty ruled Kamarupa (Assam) from 350 to 650. Pushyavarman the first historical ruler of Assam established this dynasty in c350 AD. This dynasty became vassals of the Gupta Empire, but as the power of the Guptas waned, Mahendravarman (470-494) performed two horse sacrifices and threw off the imperial yoke.

This dynasty is sometimes called the Naraka or Bhauma dynasty since it traces its lineage to the mythical Narakasura, Bhagadatta and Vajradatta.

This dynasty was followed by the dynasty of Salasthambha. Perhaps the most famous was monarch of this dynasty was the last, Bhaskara Varman who claimed be a descendant from god Vishnu, was a staunch Buddhist and accompanied King Harshavardhana to religious processions from Pataliputra to Kannauj.

Reign Name succession Queen
1 350-374 Pushya Varman claimed descent from Bhagadatta (unknown)
2 374-398 Samudra Varman son of Pushya Varman Dattadevi
3 398-422 Bala Varman son of Samudra Varman Ratnavati
4 422-446 Kalyana Varman son of Bala Varman Gandharavati
5 446-470 Ganapati Varman son of Kalyana Varman Yajnavati
6 470-494 Mahendra Varman (Surendra Varman) son of Ganapati Varman Suvrata
7 494-518 Narayana Varman son of Mahendra Varman Devavati
8 518-542 Bhuti Varman (Mahabhuti Varman) son of Narayana Varman Vijnayavati
9 542-566 Chandramukha Varman son of Bhuti Varman Bhogavati
10 566-590 Sthita Varman son of Chandramukha Varman Nayanadevi
11 590-595 Susthita Varman son of Sthita Varman Syamadevi
12 595-600 Supratisthita Varman son of Susthita Varman (unknown)
13 600-650 Bhaskar Varman brother of Supratisthita Varman (unknown)
14 650-655 Avanti Varman (unknown) (unknown)