The Hunas

The Hunas:

The nomadic Mongol tribes, known as the Huns, are first mentioned in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata as Malechhas, a term that included several tribes such as the Sakas, Yavanas, Savaras, Paundras, Kiratas, Khasas, Chivukas, Pulindas, and Chinas.

• Polyandry, the practice of having multiple husbands and one wife, was common among the Huns.

• The Huns attacked the Kushan Kingdom of Kabul and subsequently entered India. Around 500 A.D., under the leadership of a chieftain named Ramanila, the Huns conquered Gandhara.

Toramana

• The Huna power in Punjab consolidated under Toramana.

• He is mentioned in Kura Inscription as Rajadhiraja Maharaja Toramana Shahi Jaula. He has also been referred to as Rajtarangini.

• The silver coins of Toramana are very similar to the Gupta Kings.

• It is thought that Toramana invaded the Gupta Empire with the help of a scion of the Gupta family called Harigupta.

Moreover, the feudal structure of the administration was a facilitating factor for Huna’s conquest.

Toramana acquired the Malwa region in 510 A.D. and the local prince Bhanugupta was unable to check him.

Mihirkula

• Mihirkula, the son of Toramana, succeeded him to the throne. The name Mihirkula means "one from the Sun Clan." He ascended to power in 510 A.D. and was strongly anti-Buddhist. He destroyed Buddhist temples and monasteries and treated Buddhists with cruelty. His reign extended as far as Gwalior.

• Mihirkula's contemporary Gupta ruler was Narsimhgupta Baladityaraja II, a devout Buddhist. Narsimhgupta fought against Mihirkula, with the support of Yasodharman of Malwa. Mihirkula was defeated and died shortly after, marking the end of the White Huns' presence in India.

• Despite political rivalries and conflicts between various states, Thaneswar, located north of Delhi between the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers, became an independent state under the Pushyabhutis. It rose to prominence under the leadership of Harsha, who ruled from 606 to 647 A.D., overseeing a kingdom as vast as the Gupta.