Chandragupta II's conquest of Vahlika Hunas[12] also known as Chandragupta II's campaign of Balkh was a campaign led by the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II. Chandragupta II crossed the Indus and its tributary rivers (the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej). This expedition was probably against the Huns or the Sassanids. Another goal of this campaign was to access horses from Central Asia and Afghanistan. From numismatic evidence, we see Gupta military innovations. The Archer-type coins issued by the Gupta emperors show the ruler standing with a bow in the left hand and an arrow in the right. The bows look like double-curved bows used by mounted nomads. The Horseman-type coins were introduced by Chandragupta II. On the obverse of these coins, the king is shown riding a caparisoned horse, sometimes armed with a bow, arrow, and sword.[13]
| Chandragupta II's Vahlika Expedition | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Gupta-Hunnic conflicts | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Gupta Empire |
Hepthalites Persians | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Chandragupta II | Unknown | ||||||||
Chandragupta II, after expelling the Sakas from western India, sought to free the north-western frontier from the control of the Daivaputra, Sahisahanusahi (Little Kushanas), and Saka-murunda rulers. These rulers had been left in power by Samudragupta after acknowledging his supremacy. Aiming for control over all of northern India, Chandragupta II targeted the important north-western passes, which were important for defence and trade. After a well-fought battle in southern Afghanistan, he defeated these rulers and pushed them towards the Persian border. Encouraged by this success, he then turned to invade the Oxus Valley, using the northern route. The Hunas, who had not offended him, were caught by surprise and quickly defeated by the Gupta forces.
He recognized the challenges of controlling the Huna kingdom, understanding the administrative and financial burdens, increased by distance. Following his father Samudragupta's approach to the south Indian subordinates, Chandragupta II signed a peace treaty with the Hunas. The Hunas accepted Gupta overlordship and agreed to pay war indemnity, while retaining autonomy in their own affairs and Central Asian politics.
The Expedition
Battle of Oxus
) on the iron pillar of Delhi, thought to represent Chandragupta II. Gupta script: letter "Ca" , followed by the conjunct consonant "ndra" formed of the vertical combination of the three letters n 
d 
and r 
.[14][15]The Hunas in Bactria were not a peaceful community and because they posed peril to both Iran and India, and they might have tried to run after Kidara or his successors in Gandhara, and Fa-hsien refers to Hepthalite king trying to remove Buddha's coliseum from Purushapur. This may indicate Huna invasion in Gandhara some time before Fa-hsien finished his journey in India. It is said that Kidara towards the end of the 4th century had to go northwestwards against the Hunas, leaving his son Piro at Peshawar. It is possible that Kidara might have gained some help from the Gupta emperor. It is thus possible that Chandragupta II led an adventure to Bactria through Gandhara against the Hunas, and this may be related to as his crossing of the seven rivers of Sindhu and conquering Bahlika in the Mehrauli Pillar Inscription. This event may be placed towards the end of the 4th century A.D. Chandragupta II's Bactrian expedition also led to the battle of the Oxus with his Gupta cavalry against the Hunas, who were defeated and the Gupta emperor having planted the Gupta flag on the banks of the river of Oxus.[d][17]
The Mehrauli inscription highlights Chandragupta II's victory over the Bactrians (Vahlikas), achieved after crossing the seven tributaries of the Indus—Kabul, Swat, Sindh, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Beas. This conquest is regarded as more significant than his earlier defeat of the Sakas in western India, despite the latter being central to his legacy. Kalidasa's Raghuvamsha provides additional context by recounting the campaigns of King Raghu, believed to represent Chandragupta II, against the Bactrians, Persians (Parasikas), and Huns near Kapisa. These battles, likely between 390 and 399 CE, coincided with the decline of the Kushanas and Sasanian weakness under monarchs like Ardashir II and Bahram IV, who were preoccupied with conflicts in the west.[18]
Battle of Kapisa
The Battle of Kapisa, near Begram, stands out as a significant event during this period. Chandragupta II's forces overcame Persian cavalry stationed in the region, marking his dominance over the Parasikas (Persians). Following this victory, he advanced northward to quell uprisings in Bactria and confront the Huns on the Oxus. These campaigns established Chandragupta II as a formidable ruler who consolidated Gupta power in the northwest, ensuring stability in the region. Archaeological evidence, such as the desertion of Begram in the late 4th century, further supports the impact of these invasions, which reshaped the political landscape of northern India and Central Asia.[19]
Modern Reconstruction
Identification of the people of Vahlika
The Mehrauli Inscription identifies the people of Vahlika as the Vahlikas. Kalidasa,[20] Ksirasvami,[21] and Vallabha[22] agree that these individuals were associated with the Hunas and resided along the banks of the Vanksu River. This identification is further supported by historical sources from fifth-century Persia, which confirm the presence of the Hunas in the region of the Oxus River during that period.[23][24]
Campaign
After expelling the Sakas from western India, Chandragupta II decided to free the north-western frontier from the domination of the Daivaputra, Sahisahanusahi, and Saka-murunda rulers, whom Samudragupta had allowed to stay in power after accepting his supremacy. Since Chandragupta II wanted to have control over all of northern India, he decided to control the north-western passes. These passes were important for India's defence and also provided land routes for trade with Central Asia and other countries.[25] In a well-contested battle, Chandragupta defeated the rulers. This battle took place somewhere in southern Afghanistan. After his victory, he pushed them towards the Persian border. His success in this campaign inspired him to invade the Oxus valley.[26] Once Chandragupta II decided to invade the Oxus valley, he chose the northern route and moved towards the region. The Hunas, who had not done anything to make the Indian ruler their enemy, did not expect an invasion from the south. They were caught by surprise, and before they could react, they were defeated by the Gupta forces.[27]
Aftermath and Peace treaty
Although Chandragupta II won a decisive victory over the Hunas, he realized the challenges of maintaining control over the Huna kingdom. He understood that it would involve administrative and financial burdens, and the distance would only make the situation more difficult. Therefore, being practical, he followed the same policy as his father, Samudragupta, had used towards his south Indian subordinates. A peace treaty was quickly signed by both sides. As part of the agreement, the Hunas accepted Gupta overlordship and agreed to pay war indemnity. In return, Chandragupta allowed the Hunas to manage their own affairs and gave them freedom in Central Asian politics. Even so, as a victorious ruler, Chandragupta asserted that his empire had gained a new northern boundary, marking a new limit in the north.[28]
Notes
- ↑ The identification of the people of 'Vahlika' is debated amongst scholars
Identification with Beas River:
- D.R. Bhandarkar, on the basis of Ramayana, places Vahlika on the Beas and places the Vahlika people at the Beas region of Punjab[3]
- N.L. Dey, also considered these people to be part of the Punjab region. Rather than assigning them a separate entry in his dictionary, he included them under the category of Vahika[4]
- Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya, delivered the final verdict: "During this period, the term Bahlika, which originally referred to Bactria, came to be used as a synonym for Bharata or the Land of the Five Rivers."[5]
However, the identification of Vahilka with modern day Beas river is not accepted generally, as itself in the Inscription, king Chandra is said to have crossed the seven mouths of Indus river to attack the Vahlikas[6]
Identification of Vahilka with modern day Balkh: - Ashvini Aggarwal, The term Vahlika has often been mistakenly conflated with Vahika and incorrectly associated with the Central Punjab. However, in this context, Vahlika clearly refers to Bactria, the ancient Persian Vagdhi, corresponding to the modern region of Balkh in north-eastern Afghanistan.[7]
- Tej Ram Sharma, Misled by a verse in the Ramayana, D.R. Bhandarkar places the Vahlikas near the Vipasa, the modern Beas River. However, the term Vahllkan in the cited passage is a textual error for Vahlkan. Numerous passages from the Epics, Puranas, and classical Sanskrit literature confirm that the Punjab—Pañcanada, meaning 'the land of five rivers'—was historically referred to as the Vahlka country.[8]
- ↑ " The Mehrauli Pillar Inscription (No.20) describes the digvijaya of a king named Candra (i.e. Candragupta II) in the first verse as stated below :
"He, on whose arm fame was inscribed by the sword, when, in battle in the Vanga countries, he kneaded (and turned) back with (his) breast the enemies who, uniting together, came against him;—he, by whom, having crossed in warfare the seven mouths of the (river) Sindhu, the Vāhlikas;—he by the breezes of whose prowess the Southern ocean is even still perfumed".
We find various readings of the name Vāhlika in literature which are : Vāhlika, Bāhlika, Vāhlīka and Bāhlīka. In our inscription (No. 20) 'Vāhilikāḥ', i.e. Bactria (modern Balkh) region on the Oxus in the northern part of Afghanistan."[9]
- ↑ J. F. Fleet's 1888 translation is as follows:[10]
(Verse 1) He, on whose arm fame was inscribed by the sword, when, in battle in the Vanga countries (Bengal), he kneaded (and turned) back with (his) breast the enemies who, uniting together, came against (him); – he, by whom, having crossed in warfare the seven mouths of the (river) Sindhu, the Vahlikas were conquered; – he, by the breezes of whose prowess the southern ocean is even still perfumed; –
- ↑ "However, Altekar suggests that Candra Gupta attacked the Kidara Kushāṇas. But in the situation then prevailing it is not impossible that Candra Gupta really invaded Balkh or Bactria referred to as Bāhlika in the inscription. We have seen that Bactria was occupied by the Epthalites in about 350 A.D. (Kalidasa refers to the Hūņas on the Oxus) and thus had led to the eventual conquest of Gandhara by Kidāra by 356 A. D., the contemporary (Daivaputrashātā of Samudra Gupta). After Kidāra, his successors were known as little Yue-chi. As we have seen Samudra Gupta was satisfied with the offer of submission of Kidāra, and he also claims to have received the submission of Shāhānushāhī, (the Sassanian emperor), mainly to consolidate his conquests in the country, and to have some share and control over the famous Silk-route. The Hūṇas in Bactria were not a peaceful community and because a danger to both Iran and India, and they might have tried to pursue Kidāra or his successors in Gandhara, and Fa-hsien refers to Epthalite king trying to remove Buddha's bowl from Purushapur. This may indicate Hūṇa inroad in Gandhāra some time before Fa-hsien concluded his travels in India. It is held that Kidāra towards the end of the 4th century had to proceed N. W. against the Hūṇas leaving his son Piro at Peshwar. It is possible that Kidāra might have received some help from the Gupta emperor. It is therefore possible that Candra Gupta II led an expedition to Bactria through Gandhāra against the Hūṇas, and this may be referred to as his crossing of the seven rivers of Sindhu and conquering Bāhlika in the Mehrauli Pillar Inscription. This event may be placed towards the end of the 4th century A. D."[16]
References
- ↑ Buddha Prakash (1962). Studies in Indian History and Civilizations. Shiva Lal Agarwala Publications. p. 329.
- ↑ Raghavendra Vajpeyi (1977). "The Vahlikas of the Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 789.
- ↑ See, Sircar, op. cit., p. 2.
- ↑ Geographical Dictionary of ancient and Medieval India, pg.15.
- ↑ Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya, Early History of North India Cal., 1968, pp 205.
- ↑ Vajpeyi, Raghavendra (1977). "The Vahlikas of the Meharauli Iron Pillar Inscription". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 783–790. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44139148.
- ↑ Agrawal, Ashvini (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 164. ISBN 978-81-208-0592-7.
- ↑ Sharma, Tej Ram (1978). Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptions. Robarts - University of Toronto. Delhi : Concept. p. 167.
- ↑ Tej Ram Sharma 1978, p. 167.
- ↑ Balasubramaniam 2005, pp. 7–8.
- ↑ Raghavendra Vajpeyi (1977). "The Vahlikas of the Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 787–788.
- ↑ Vajpeyi, Raghavendra (1977). "The Vahlikas of the Meharauli Iron Pillar Inscription". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 783–790. ISSN 2249-1937.
- ↑ Roy, Kaushik (2015-06-03). Warfare in Pre-British India – 1500BCE to 1740CE. Routledge. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-317-58692-0.
- ↑ Bandela, Prasanna Rao (2003). Coin Splendour: A Journey into the Past. Abhinav Publications. p. 11. ISBN 9788170174271.
- ↑ Allen 1914, p. 24.
- ↑ Sinha 1974, p. 50–51.
- ↑ Prakash, Buddha (1962). Studies in Indian History and Civilization. Shiva Lal Agarwala. pp. 326–329.
- ↑ Prakash, Buddha (1962). Studies in Indian History and Civilization. Shiva Lal Agarwala. pp. 337–342.
- ↑ Raghuvamsha, IV, 68
- ↑ Namalinganushasana, p.159
- ↑ Narayan Ram Acharaya's Raghuvamsha, p.101
- ↑ Modi, J.J. (1917). The Early History of the Huns and Their Inroads in India and Persia. Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. pp. 545, 565–7.
- ↑ Vajpeyi, Raghavendra (1977). "The Vahlikas of the Meharauli Iron Pillar Inscription". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 783–790. ISSN 2249-1937.
- ↑ Vajpeyi, Raghavendra (1977). "The Vahlikas of the Meharauli Iron Pillar Inscription". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 786–787. ISSN 2249-1937.
- ↑ Vajpeyi, Raghavendra (1977). "The Vahlikas of the Meharauli Iron Pillar Inscription". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 787. ISSN 2249-1937.
- ↑ Vajpeyi, Raghavendra (1977). "The Vahlikas of the Meharauli Iron Pillar Inscription". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 787. ISSN 2249-1937.
- ↑ Vajpeyi, Raghavendra (1977). "The Vahlikas of the Meharauli Iron Pillar Inscription". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 787–788. ISSN 2249-1937.