Thread by @PrasunNagar

Ancient Battles of India

1. Battle of Mandsaur 528 AD

This battle was fought between Mihirkula & an allied army of Indian kings led by Yashovarman & Narasimha Gupta Baladitya.

Despite of not being a very famous event, this battle decided the fate of India for next centuries.

Mihirkula, ruling most parts of Central and Western India, since 513 AD, was a barbarian, who in the absence of Central authority created a vast kingdom & enjoyed wanton destruction.

These Huns destroyed the great university at Taxila as well.

Image of Mihirkula

Such was the audacity of these Huns, that after the death of Skanda Gupta, they again invaded India and occupied territories in North and in the West.

The terrorized the local Indian kings, & the populace, and extorted money from the Gupta emperors.

Such was the condition of successors of Skanda Gupta that Mihirkula's father, Tormana went towards Magadha & appointed a person of less repute to kingship.

The then Emperor, Narasimha Gupta Baladitya, meanwhile, was running around in his own empire, to save himself from Huns.

However, by 528 AD, the Indians had enough!

They formed a confederation in order to eject this Hunnic menace once and for all.

But who would lead such a confederation?

India, has had the unusual gift since ancient times to produce geniuses in adversity, who could change the destiny of the country for thousands of years to come.

Chankaya, Chandragupta, Samudra Gupta, Adi Shankara, etc are some of the names, who decided the fate of this nation.

One of these heroes was Yashodharman Vishnuvardhana who was a king of central India between 515 - 545 AD.

Image mentioning 'sri yasodharmma' in the Mandsaur inscription

The Mandsaur Stone inscription of Yashodharman establishes the fact that it was left to Yashodharman to achieve complete and decisive victory over the Huns and winning an empire ' from the Brahmaputra to the western ocean & from Himalayas to Mahendragiri.'

Yashovarman was joined in this endeavor by the then Gupta emperor, Narasimha Gupta Baladitya (495-530 AD), who may have been tired of paying protection money to the Huns.

Image of coin of Narasimha Gupta Baladitya

Together, and with many allied Indian kings, they confronted the Hunnic menace at Mandsaur, in MP, in the year 528 AD.

The much vaunted cavalry of Huns were no match for swift Indian heavy cavalry, and their centre was pushed to the limit by the allied infantry.

The Indian elephants and cavalry, now attacked the unprotected flanks of Hunnic infantry.

All hell broke loose, and the Huns were slaughtered on the field of battle.

Mihirkula was himself captured by the Gupta Emperor.

Image of defeat of Huns at Mandsaur

After years of humiliation, Narasimha Gupta Baladitya wanted to execute Mihirkula, but was requested by his mother not to do so.

Mihirkula was let go by the Gupta Emperor.

Xuanzang states that Mihirkula, after his defeat went to Kashmir, killed his brother there, and became the king, however, he died of natural causes sometimes after.

Yashodharman erected a victory pillar at Mandsaur to commemorate his exploits.

The Hunnic black cloud hovering over India over the past 70 years was finally extinguished by the combined efforts of Indian Kings.

Huns were relegated to some parts of Kashmir and Punjab.

They were finally extinguished by the Pushyabhutis under Prabhakarvardhana, and his sons Rajyavardhana, and his more famous son Harsha.

2. Battle of Narmada 618/619 AD

This battle, at the banks of Narmada river was fought between two of the most celebrated and powerful kings of India.

Harsha and Pulakesin -II of Chalukyas.

A fight between an Unstoppable Force & an Immovable Object!

After ascending the throne at the age of 16 in April 606 AD, Harsha conquered all the lands from Kashmir to Vindhyas and from Gujarat to Bengal and Odhisa.

He now looked upon the lands South of Vindhyas.

Image of coin of Harsha

As stated by Xuanzang, ' the great king Siladitya at this time was invading east & west & regions far and near were submitting to him, but ' Mo-ha-la-cha' ( region south of Narmada) refused to become subject of him ' under its great King Pulakesin - II.

Pulakesin - II, made himself the Lord Paramount of the South by his extensive conquests rivalling those of Harsha in the north.

Image of probable extent of Chaulkyan dominance

That the two emperors met in actual fight is also stated by Xuanzang:

' Siladitya Raja boasting of his skill & invariable success of his generals, filled with confidence himself, marched at the head of his troops to contend with the prince, but he was unable to subjugate him..'

The Chinese pilgrim's account of this great conflict between the two Paramount Sovereigns of North and South is also corroborated by the evidence of inscriptions.

In the Aihole inscription of 634 AD ( Saka Year 556 AD), the poet Ravikirti describes the exploits of his patron Pulakesin - II.

Image of the Aihole Inscription.

Ravikirti says: ' Harsha, whose lotus feet were arrayed with the rays of jewels of the diadems of host of kings prosperous with unmeasured might, through Pulakesin had his joy ( Harsha) melted away by fear, having become loathsome with his rows of elephants fallen in battle.'

The famous quote by Ravikirti.... ' Harsha joy melted away in fear' !

The copper plate inscription of Pulakesin found at Pune, corroborate the fact that the battle took place and Harsha was defeated by him.

Image of copper plate of Pulakesin-II

The discovery and the study of this inscription, and the mention of a lunar eclipse on Vaishakh purnima in it, helped ascertain the exact year of the battle i.e., 619 CE.

Image and info courtesy @BhandarkarI

The Aihole and the copper plate inscriptions are the only two epigraphic evidences pointing towards defeat of Harsha.

Some historians are of the view that Pulakesin-II tried an invasion of the North, after his victory, but was defeated by Harsha.

Afterwards, both these kings divided India into two.. North, west and east ruled by Harsha, and called ' Paramount Lord of the North', whereas entire South and some parts of SE India was ruled by Pulakesin-II, whose title was ' Lord of the South'.

The relations between them afterwards were friendly, as Xuanzang being sent as an ambassador of Harsha to Pulakesin-II court in 641 AD.

Pulakesin-II died in 642 AD, Harsha followed him in 647 AD.

After the demise of them, India was engulfed by barbarian invasions in 711 AD.

3. Conquest of Sakas by Chandra Gupta-II Vikramaditya

This conquest was a very important event, which resulted in the annexation of Western India by Gupta empire, and extermination of foreign rule, which ruled western India for at least 300 years.

Sketch of Chandra Gupta-II

Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya ascended the throne at Pātaliputra in the year 375 AD.

He was the son of one of the greatest Indian emperors, Samudra Gupta, who had by his extensive victories, carved out an empire, subduing kings of North, east and 12 kings of south India.

Samudra Gupta did not conquer the West, as the Western Satraps, or Sakas decided to remain neutral during his conquests, and would also pay homage to him at his imperial darbar ( Upasthana).

Background of Sakas

Indo-Scythians or 'Sakas' were most probably a group of indigenous Iranian tribe, who were nomadic and were of Scythian origin.

Between 2nd Century BCE to 1st Century AD, they migrated towards India.

Due to a power vacuum in India at that time, these Sakas were able to establish themselves near Taxila and Mathura.

They created two satrapies in India. One in Gujarat and another one based at Ujjain.

Image of a Scythian devotee from Butkara Stupa, Swat Valley.

Saka Kingdom of Ujjain:-

One of the Saka families founded a kingdom based at Ujjain.

It was founded by Chastana, whose time is around 78-110 AD.

Image of a coin and statue of Chastana.

One of his successors was Rudradaman, whose empire consisted of entire Gujarat, Sindh & portions of Rajasthan, along with parts of konkan.

A map showing the extent of Western Satraps, from portions of Malwa to Sindh.

For the next 300 years, starting from 78 AD, Western India was subjected to foreign rule, and hence it was left to Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya to get rid of this foreign occupation of India.

The Eran stone inscription, states that Eastern Malwa was under Samudra Gupta. Eran, in Sagar dist of MP, is described as city of Samudra Gupta's enjoyment.

The Sanchi Stone inscription of the Gupta Year 93 = 412 AD, also show how Chandra Gupta - II's authority was very well established there, administered by his officer Amarkarddava, known for his victories in 'many battles'.

These inscriptions show the successive steps in the advance of Gupta power towards west.

This advance was materially aided by Chandra Gupta's alliance with Vakatakas, whose geographical position could affect movements to north against the Western Kshatrapas.

The actual conquest of these Saka territories is proved by the coins issued by Chandra Gupta - II .

The coins of the Western Kshatrapas end abruptly in 388 AD & Chandra Gupta - II's coins start appearing between 397- 409 AD.

Thus, by a protracted war, Chandra Gupta - II was able to bring the whole of Western coast of India under Gupta rule.

The silver coins found in Western India, on the obverse show Chandra Gupta's face with traces of Greek inscription, but on the reverse, it shows the Garuda symbol , with the words ' Parambhagvata' ( sincere worshipper of Lord Vishnu).

Thus, India got its freedom from foreign rule & Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya, styled himself as ' Sakari' = Exterminator of the Sakas.

India entered in its most prosperous age called ' The Golden Age' by the historians.

An image of Chandra Gupta- II going to war against Sakas.

Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya did not stop at this.

As per the iron pillar inscription, he ' had running battles over the seven rivers' ( Indus & its tributaries), and went up to Balkh in Afghanistan.

Not even Imperial Mauryas went that far!

As per 'Raghuvamsa' of Kalidasa, he destroyed the 'Sakas, Hunas and Mlecchas and exterminated them from the face of the earth'.

4. Defeat of Huns by Skanda Gupta

The grandson of Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya, defeated the barbarian Huns when they tried to invade India in around 456-457 AD.

He, thus has been aptly called ' The Saviour of India'.

The years between 380's AD to about early 450 AD, were a time period of extreme prosperity, charitable behaviour, advance in sciences & art, trade, literature, etc.

The examples of this can be found in rock caves of Udaygiri, Iron pillar, coins of Kumara Gupta, Kalidasa, etc.

The Gupta Emperor Kumara Gupta- I ( 414-455 AD) has been called 'Guptakula-Vyomsasi' = The Moon among the Guptas.

However, this ' Moon' was facing an eclipse due to rebellions, in the last few years of his life.

Image of a sketch of Kumara Gupta-I

The Pushyamitras, who resided near Narmada, rose up in arms and dealt devastating defeats to Gupta armies, in a bid to make themselves independent.

It would seem that Gupta Empire would go away just like many other empires, who could not stand rebellions and internal issues.

As with the history of India during extreme adversity, a hero rose, who would be remembered for centuries to come.

His name was Skanda Gupta, one of the sons of Kumara Gupta and the last hero of Gupta dynasty = 'Guptavanshkaviraho'.

Aptly named after the God of War, the first born of Parvati and Shiva, Skanda Gupta was an Emperor, who ruled between 455-467 AD and protected India from internal rebellions and foreign invasions.

' the sole hero of the Gupta dynasty ( Gupta Vamsaikaviraho) to deal with the enemies bent on conquest ( vijgisha - pradyatanam paresham), the 'Pushyamitras', who had gathered all their strength & resources, & whom he subdued ( jitva).... '

--Bhitari pillar inscription

As King, after his father had died ( pitari divamupete), when Gupta fortune was overthrown ( viputam), he restored it by his own conquests which he reported to his mother who listened with tears of joy in her eyes , as Krishna reported his victories to his mother Devaki.

' narapatibhujaganam manadar potpahananam pratikirti Garudajnam nirvvisho chavakarta'

" When his father had died (pitari surasa khivain praptavati) he, by his own prowess ( atmasaktya) humbled his enemies & made subject to himself earth bounded by three oceans & other regions."

However, apart from quashing rebellions, he famously destroyed the Huns near Indus, in a battle for survival.

This famous battle decided whether India would meet the fate of Rome or would prosper and rise up !

“हूणैर्यस्य समागतस्य समरे दोर्भ्यां धरा कम्पिता”

'He shook the earth ( dhara kampita) in subduing the mighty hunas (Huns) with whom he came into conflict near Sindhu ( Indus) river ( Hunairyasya samagatasya samare).'

--- Translated text of Bhitari Pillar of Skanda Gupta

It must remembered that at the same time, the cousins of these 'White Huns' called the ' Yellow Huns', were rampaging the Western and Eastern Roman Empires.

After his victory, Skanda Gupta executed between 2-3 Hunnic leaders.

India would be safe once more.

According to Kahaum Stone Inscription, the result of his conquests are described by the "heads of hundred kings falling at his feet in tendering their homage at his Imperial Darbar ( Upasthana)."

Such was the prowess of Skanda Gupta that according to Bhitari pillar inscription, the common people composed songs, describing his victories, and sang them.

He styled himself ' Vikramaditya', after his illustrious grand-father and administered the Empire successfully.

5. Chandragupta Maurya defeats Seleukos Nikator.. 305 BCE

The Greeks were in for a surprise, when they looked at an army of united India under CG Maurya, confronting them in 305 BCE at the banks of Indus.

Even an army of devils would retreat, when confronted by a United India!

The Greeks would have been astonished.

After all, just 20 odd years ago (327-325 BCE), they had been led by their great king Alexander, who conquered everything up from Khyber to Patala, & thought that Indians were gone for all money.

Guess what, they were in for a surprise!

During his campaigns of world domination, Alexander conquered NW india and created six satrapies, 3 on the West of Indus, and 3 on the east side.

However, he died without issue in 323 BCE.

Additionally, Indians, inspite of being militarily defeated, rebelled against their Greek governors and put some of them to death.

The Ashvakayāyanas killed their Greek governor, while Alexander was still in India & Philip, the governor of Taxila was also assassinated.

What was happening in India, just after Alexander's death can be explained from Justin ( 2nd c. AD) :

"India after Alexander's death as if the yoke of servitude had been shaken off its neck, & put its perfects to death. Sandrocottus was the leader, who achieved its freedom..."

The passage clearly states that it was Sandrocottus ( Chandragupta) who was the leader of Indians, and he defeated the Greeks.

By 322 BCE, very few remnants of Greek power remained India, notably Eudemus and Peithon.

After this Chandragupta, with aid of his Guru, Kautilya, defeated Dhana-Nanda and occupied the throne of Magadha.

Meanwhile, in the West, Alexander's generals divided the empire among themselves and started fighting against each other.. ' The Wars of the Diadochi'.

By 312 BCE, one of the generals named Seleukos Nikator had gained Babylon and hence made himself a master of region from Syria to modern day Iran.

He, thought of extending his realm and also to re-conquer areas, which once belonged to the Macedonian empire, under Alexander.

Bactria ( northern Afghanistan) was taken with hard fighting.

Once this was done, Seleukos, now wanted to cross the Hindu-Kush and invade India, to re-claim his authority over the area.

Image of Hindu-Kush mountains

Taking a route along the Kabul river, Seleukos, crossed the Hindu-Kush with his forces.

He took the same route, which Alexander had taken more than 20 years ago, and then, crossed the Indus.

This is where he was stopped!

Image of Indus at Attock.

Alexander, when he invaded India, the region was full of petty kingdoms and small Republican states.

These small kingdoms, fought bravely with the Greeks, but lost, as there was no unity among them.

There was no pooling of resources, nor a central Command.

Alexander, hence was able to conquer a region piece-meal and then strike the next kingdom, which too fell to him.

However, by 305 BCE, this entire area was unified by Chandragupta Maurya, who had a massive army and a strong administration.

Pliny calculates the army of Chandragupta to be 6,00,000 infantry, 30,000 horses, and 9,000 war elephants.

Pliny does not mention war-chariots. But the Nandas had 4,000 four-horse chariots, & hence it could be presumed that Mauryan army would have same number of chariots.

Taking everything in to consideration, Dr. R.K. Mookerji, in his book 'Chandragupta Maurya & His Times', calculates the whole army of Chandragupta to be a huge one, totalling 6,96,000.

Thus Seleukos found, not a bunch of squabbling kingdoms, but a United India, strong, resilient and under a king who had never lost a battle.

The actual details of the conflict are lacking. Appian says that:

'Seleucus crossed the Indus and waged war with Sandrocottus, king of the Indians, who dwelt on the banks of that stream, until they came to an understanding with each other and contracted a marriage relationship.'

'Seleukos would find himself in a trap, with a large river at his back and a hostile army before him," and consequently could not have advanced much farther than the Indus.'

--- Paul J. Kosmin, ' The Land of Elephant Kings: Space, Territory, Ideology in Seleucid Empire, pg no 33

Seleukos was defeated & he had to pay a heavy price for his defeat.

The areas of Arachosia ( Kandahar), Aria ( Herat), Paraopnsidae ( Kabul Valley) & Gedrosia ( Baluchistan), was annexed from him.

Thus, the territory of Chandragupta, comprised an area from Herat to Bengal.

Appian says that there was a 'Jus Connubi', or an inter-marriage, leading to either Seleukos becoming a father-in-law of Chandragupta, or Chandragupta becoming father-in-law to Seleukos.

The treaty was further strengthened by a gift of 500 elephants to Seleukos.

These elephants played a pivotal role in the defeat of Antigonos Monopthalamus ( The One Eyed), at the battle of Ipsus in 301 BCE.

The relations between two kings became more stronger when Chandragupta dispatched some Indian drugs to Seleukos, who, in turn sent Megasthanes as his ambassador to the Royal court at Pātāliputra.

Megasthanes has left a vivid account of India in his book ' Indica'.

Chandragupta died in c 297 BCE, his succesors ruled the subcontinent for next century.

Seleukos Was assisinated in 279 BCE, his succesors also ruled a large part of Middle East for at least next 100 years.

End

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