The Gupta dynasty of Nepal was a dynasty which is believed to have existed in the Kathmandu Valley in modern-day Nepal. These Guptas had overshadowed the Licchavi kings in the administration. Ravigupta, Bhaumagupta, Jishnugupta and Vishnugupta of Gupta family controlled Kathmandu (Nepal) as de facto-ruler during many Lichchhavi kings.

Origin

All the Nepalese Chronicles state that these Guptas were the Goālas (Cowherds). According to K.P. Jayaswal, the presence of the Imperial Garuda emblem on these Nepalese Gupta's coins establishes their connection to the Imperial Gupta dynasty of Magadha. After the weakness of the Gupta imperial organization [500 C.E.] a branch from Magadha, modern day Bihar, migrated into Nepal and established direct sovereign control.

However, a number of Nepalese scholars believed that these Guptas were of Abhira origin. The proponents of this theory argue that since Bhaumagupta's mother was an Abhiri, so Bhaumagupta and his paternal family were themselves of Abhira stock. But the critics of this theory argue that Abhiri is not a proper name, it must be a family name and if the term Abhiri has anything to do with a family or tribe, it must be connected with the family of her father, and not with that of her husband. Because in ancient times wives were given the name of their earlier family or village in order to recognise them in a joint family. Hence, it will be wrong to call these gupta-ending people as belonging to the Abhira tribe or family.

History

Early history

The Guptas were high official at Lichchhavi court until they usurped royal position.

Ravigupta Ravigupta, the descent of Gupta family was a Gupta ruler (Abhinayaka) of Nepal. However, the Lichhavi King Basantdeva was still respected by all. The Gupta ruler gradually usurped the powers of the Lichhavi king.

Pasupati inscription of Abhiri Gomini confirms that Anuprama was the pen-name of Ravigupta Gomi. Abhirigomini was mother of Bhaumagupta, she had established Anuparmeshware Shivalinga and donated land, money and ornaments to the guthi.

Bhaumagupta Bhaumagupta's name first appears in A.D 540 inscribed on a Shivalinga conserected by his mother Abhiri Gomini in the memory of her deceased husband, Anuprama. Few years later in A.D 557, we find Bhaumagupta simultaneously enjoying two of the highest governmental offices, Aide-de-camp (Mahapratihara) and Inspector General of Police (Sarvadandanayaka).

He was prime minister during the reign period of three Lichhavi kings, i.e. Ganadeva, Gangadeva and Sivadeva. His influence started during the reign of King Ganadeva and remain unchanged during the reign of King Gangdeva as well. The assuming of high title of Paramadaivataśri by Sarvadandanāyak Bhaumagupta reveals that the Licchavi rulers were being treated by him as no more than puppets.

Bhaumagupta was a de facto ruler until A.D 590, when King Sivadeva, the reigning Licchavi had, in fact, begun to assert his royal authority probably with the support of the Varman family.

The story of Guptas family did not end with the illustrious Bhaumagupta, but continued with his descendants Jisnugupta and Vishnugupta. For after the hiatus during Amshuvarman's rule, circa A.D 605-621, when no Gupta or Gomin name is recorded, suddenly Bhaumagupta's grandson Jisnugupta, emerges as a forceful personality.

Jishnugupta Udayadeva was overthrown by his younger brother Dhruvadeva with the help of Jishnugupta. This event must have taken place sometime around 624 A.D, since Udaydeva's inscription declaring him king is dated in the A.D 621. Three years later in year 624 A.D, Jishnugupta's first inscription appears and his usurpation of throne is proven. Jishnugupta first appears as joint ruler with Dhruvadeva in A.D 624-25 and then with Bhimarjundeva from 633 to 635 A.D. He probably ruled alone for some period of time. Two inscription name him sole ruler and coins were struck in his name.

According to Kevalpur and Thankot inscription, Jishnugupta was grandson of Bhaumagupta and great-grandson of a person known as Managupta Gomi. He wielded power between A.D 624 and 637, was a de facto ruler, though he continued the fiction of Licchavi sovereignty by placing on the throne Dhruvadeva and Bhimarjundeva. Jishnugupta issued coins in his own name. He not only inherited the dominions but also continued the policy and tradition of previous de facto rulers.

The Kevalpur inscription of King Jisnugupta clearly mentions that organised towns and village units with self-government existed in Nepal during the rule of the forefathers of Manadeva I.

Manadeva also lived with inferior position like Dhruvadeva till Jishnugupta was alive. Jishnugupta and his son Vishnugupta used the succeeding Licchavi kings as their puppets and maintained absolute rule for a total period of 22 years.

Vishnugupta Jishnugupta was succeeded by his son Vishnugupta. He enjoyed a brief reign and must have been ousted from the throne by Narendradeva, who restored the Licchavi dynasty in Nepal in A.D 643 with the help of Tibetan king.

List of rulers The rulers of the Gupta dynasty of Nepal include: Ravigupta (532 A.D.) Bhaumagupta (567–590 A.D.) Jishnugupta (624–637 A.D.) Vishnugupta (638–643 A.D.)

See also Gopala dynasty Gupta dynasty Mahisapala dynasty Licchavi (kingdom)

References