Gaudadhipati Shashanka

The rise of Independent kingdom started with the calamity met by Mahasenagupta, of later Gupta dynasty at thee hands of Kalachuri king Sankaragana. 

two invasions led by Tibetan King srong Tsan and Chalukya Kirtivarman dismemebered the later Guptas.

Shashanka declared Independence and started his own conquests. He set up his capital at Karnasuvarna, and became the master of Entire Eastern India. his dominions included Magadh till Chilka lake and entire Bengal. 

The tussle against Kamrupa that existed since Mahasenaguptas reign was also continued. 

The arch rivalry that existed between Maukharis and Later Guptas was also continued by Shashanka, who vowed for revenge. With Pushyabhutis allying with Maukharis and Mahasenagupta, Shashanka, secured alliance with Devagupta and Pulakeshin II.

Devagupta had Maukhari Grahavarman killed. and this brought Pushyabhuti Rajyavardhan to the scene. 

Shashanka, brought his army till kannauj to help his ally, here he killed Rajyavardhan. His main objective of giving death blow to Maukharis was secured.

But this brought Harshavardhana and Bhskarvarman to wage a series of war against Shashanka, which he repelled successfully throughout his life. 

only after his death, His son Manava ruled for 8 months and 5 days before being defeated by Harshvardhana and Bhaskarvarman.

Later Kamrup forces were driven out by Jayanaga, native new king of Gauda. 

Shashanka was a devout Shaiva and is known for suppression of Buddhism, also historians agree, that it is due to political motivation and not religious.

Shahsanka is also credited for creating the Bengali calendar, the term 'Bangabda' became prevalent since his time. 

His imperial conquests would later form the basis of foundation of Khadga, Bhadra, Pala, Chandra dynasties, that would keep up the glory of eastern India.

📜 সোমাখ্যোঽপি ততো রাজা একবীরো ভবিষ্যতি।

গঙ্গাতীরপর্যন্তং বারাণস্যামতঃ পরম্॥

নাশয়িষ্যতি দুর্মেধঃ শাস্তুর্বিম্বাং মনোরমাম্।

জিনৈস্তু কথিতং পূর্বং ধর্মসেতুমনল্পকম্॥

দাহাপয়তি দুর্মেধঃ তীর্ত্থিকস্য বচে রতঃ।

ততো ঽসৌ ক্রুদ্ধলুব্ধস্তু মিত্থ্যামানী হ্যসংমতঃ॥

বিহারারামচৈত্যাংশ্চ নির্গ্রন্থাং বসথাং ভুবি ।

ভেৎস্যতে চ তদা সর্বাং বৃত্তিরোধমকারক ॥

               ~ আর্যমঞ্জুশ্রীমূলকল্প

মূলভাব - সোম (শশাঙ্ক) নামে গৌড়ে একজন বীর রাজা হবেন যিনি বারাণসী পর্যন্ত গঙ্গার তীরে শাসন করবেন; ধ্বংস করবেন বুদ্ধের সুন্দর মূর্তি, পুড়িয়ে দেবেন অনেক পবিত্র নিদর্শন। এই নিষ্ঠুর লোকটি পৃথিবীর সমস্ত মঠ, মন্দির, নির্গ্রন্থদের বাসস্থান ভেঙ্গে ফেলবেন এবং এইভাবে তাদের ধর্মীয় অনুশীলনে বাধা সৃষ্টি করবেন ।"

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🌙 Somākhyo'pi tato rājā ekavīro bhaviṣyati 🌙

Soma (Saśāṅka) will be a heroic King of Gauda ruling on the bank of the Ganges up to Vārāṇasī; will destroy beautiful images of Buddha, burn many holy relics. This cruel man will break down all monasteries, shrines, dwellings of the Nirgranthas on earth, and thus put an obstacle to their religious practices"

~ ĀryaMañjuśrī­mūlakalpa :

somākhyo 'pi tato rājā ekavīro bhaviṣyati।

gaṅgātīraparyantaṃ vārāṇasyāmataḥ param॥

nāśayiṣyati durmedhaḥ śāsturbimbāṃ manoramām।

jinaistu kathitaṃ pūrvaṃ dharmasetumanalpakam॥

dāhāpayati durmedhaḥ tīrtthikasya vace rataḥ ।

tato 'sau kruddhalubdhastu mitthyāmānī hyasaṃmataḥ ॥

vihārārāmacaityāṃśca nirgranthāṃ vasathāṃ bhuvi ।

bhetsyate ca tadā sarvāṃ vṛttirodhamakāraka ॥