The Origin of the Varman Dynasty of East Bengal
Summary
This study traces the lineage of the Varman rulers of eastern Bengal by examining inscriptions and genealogical legends. It opens with the Deopara copper‑plate charter, which refers to Jatavarman and his conquests in Kamarupa and Anga. The author argues that the Varmans were connected to the Paramara dynasty of Malwa and possibly migrated eastwards. Comparing names and titles across inscriptions, the paper suggests that the Varmans originated in Simhapura of Kalinga and shared the suffix ‘varman’ with contemporaneous Kalinga kings. The article discusses matrimonial alliances with western Indian dynasties and examines the political context of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. By analysing epigraphic evidence, it posits that the Varmans rose to power under the suzerainty of larger empires but eventually carved out an independent domain in east Bengal. The study thus provides insight into the fluidity of dynastic identities and regional power dynamics in medieval India.
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Conclusion
The author concludes that the Varman dynasty of east Bengal likely descended from a branch of western Paramara rulers who migrated to Kalinga before moving east. Their rise illustrates how regional dynasties emerged through military success, marital alliances and adaptation to local conditions.