Journal of Eurasian Studies - EPA

April‐June 2010 JOURNAL OF EURASIAN STUDIES Volume II., Issue 2.
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part of Madhya Pradesh (Central Province) for a long time. Arian rulers married Hun princesses even in
the 9th century A.D. Some Rajput dynasties, e.g. that of Mewar, claimed to be descended from the Huns.
From the second part of Mihiragula’s name (on some of his coins “Mihiragula” is written): Gula – which
was most probably a dignitary name, meaning a ruling War Lord – originated the name of the present
Gulot (Guhilot, Gehlot) dynasty; this dynasty provides the Maharanas of Udaypur even today. The word
“Maharana” means the leader of all Maharajas; the “King of Kings”, similar to the old Indo‐Scythian and
Kushan title: “Shahan Shahi”. Indeed the Maharana is the sacred ruler. 44
The Hephtalite rule in Kashmir represented their other Indian continuity. After Mihirakula’s death, his
youngest brother (half‐brother), the youngest son of Toramana, Pravarasena I, returned from Bactria.
Pravarasena was the son of Toramana’s younger wife and, during Mihirakula’s reign, she went into exile
with their son because she had fears regarding the safety of Pravarasena. Mihirakula would not tolerate a
possible pretender. Pravarasena was a young man, about 25 years old, when he ascended to the throne in
Kashmir. 45 His Kingdom included Kashmir, the northern part of Punjab, the Swat Basin, South Bactria
and Gandhara, so it was a fairly big territory. He had a good relationship with some of the Indian princes,
e.g. the King of Malwa, Siladitya, asked for Pravarasena’s help to defend his throne against a tribal prince.
Pravarasena I was followed by his son, Pravarasena II; the two kings ruled from 537 till 597 A.D.
Pravarasena II was followed by his son, Gokharna, then his grandson, Khinkila (Khingala), and Khinkila’s
son, Yudhishthira; and finally, Khinkila’s grandson, Lakhana, who was the last Hephtalite king in Kashmir.
This is confirmed by the written sources, primarily the Rajatarangini, and by the archaeological finds and
coins. 46 Lakhana ruled until 670 A.D.; from that time, another dynasty came into power in Kashmir.
The Indian rule of the Hephtalites lasted for 200 years but the influence of their successors can be
traced even today.
Now let us see what happened to those groups of the Hephtalites, who did not want to assimilate into
Indian society or who did not rule in Kashmir. They went farther to the North, toward their original land
in the Oxus Valley. A smaller group settled down in the well‐protected Gilgit Valley, founding the
Province of Hunza; they practice their ancient Shamanism even today.
The part of the Hephtalites, who returned to the Oxus Valley, could not stay for long. Their former
enemies, the Sassanians, did not forget Peroz’ defeat by the White Huns. Now they started a war against
the Hephtalites and, in 565 A.D., the Sassanian King, Kushrew Anushirwan, defeated them. In the
meantime, the former vassals of the Hephtalites, the Türks became strong in Tokharistan and they wanted
to take revenge upon their former masters. They won a battle against the Hephtalites and then they
wanted to put the White Huns in a vassal status. The kagan, the armed forces and the leaders were
naturally forced to flee. They were joined by a part of the Zhuan‐Zhuan tribe and the Uar‐Huns or
according to other sources, the Var‐Huns, who were called Avars later on. 47 These tribes were also fleeing
from the Turkic army. They established a tribal confederation together under the pressure of necessity. As
44 Aradi, Éva: “A hunok Indiában”, Bp. Hun‐Idea, 2005. pp.71‐82.
45 Aradi, Éva: “A fehér hunok története”, in Magyarságtudományi tanulmányok”, Hun‐Idea, 2008, p.24.
46 Kalhana: Rajatarangini, III. p.383.
47 Aradi, Éva: “A fehér hunok története” in “Magyarságtudományi tanulmányok”, Hun‐Idea, 2008. p.27.
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