THE HUNS 380-560

THE HUNS 380-560

The Alchon Huns, also known as the Alchono, Alxon, Alkhon, Alkhan, Alakhana and Walxon, were a nomadic people who established states in Central Asia and South Asia during the 4th and 6th centuries CE. They were first mentioned as being located in Paropamisus, and later expanded south-east, into the Punjab and central India, as far as Eran and Kausambi. The Alchon invasion of the Indian subcontinent contributed to the fall of the Gupta Empire..

 The invasion of India by the Huna peoples follows invasions of the subcontinent in the preceding centuries by the Yavana (Indo-Greeks), the Saka (Indo-Scythians), the Palava (Indo-Parthians), and the Kushana (Yuezhi). The Alchon Empire was the third of four major Huna states established in Central and South Asia. The Alchon were preceded by the Kidarites and the Hephthalites, and succeeded by the Nezak Huns

 The Hunas are often linked to the Huns that invaded Europe from Central Asia during the same period. Consequently, the word Hun has three slightly different meanings, depending on the context in which it is used: 1) the Huns of Europe; 2) groups associated with the Huna people who invaded northern India. he name "Alchon" generally given to them comes from the Bactrian legend of their early coinage, where they simply imitated Sassanian coins to which they added the name "alchono" (αλχονο, also αλχοννο)[8] in Bactrian script (a slight adaptation of the Greek script) and the tamgha symbol of their clan.[9][10][3][11  Philologically, "alchono" (αλχονο) may be a combination of al- for Aryan and -xono for Huns, although this remains hypothetical

 The Alchon Huns emerged in Kapisa around 380, taking over Kabulistan from the Sassanian Persians, 
at the same time
 the Kidarites (Red Huns) ruled in Bactria and Ghandara. They are said to have taken control of Kabul in 388.[1]

The Alchon Huns initially issued anonymous coins based on Sasanian designs.

Around 430 King Khingila, the most notable Alchon ruler, and the first one to be named and represented on his coins, emerged and took control of the routes across the Hindu Kush from the Kidarites.[1] As the Alchons took control, diplomatic missions were established in 457 with China.[23]:162 In 460, the Alchons conquered Taxila. Between 460 and 470 CE, as they took over Gandhara and the Punjab, they apparently undertook the mass destruction of Buddhist monasteries and stupas at Taxila, a high center of learning, which never recovered from the destruction.

First Hunnic War: Central India

The monastery of Ghoshitarama in Kausambi was probably destroyed by the Alchon Huns under Toramana.[2]
In the First Hunnic War (496–515),[26] the Alchon reached their maximum territorial extent, with King Toramana pushing deep into Indian territory, reaching Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in Central India, and ultimately contributing to the downfall of the Gupta Empire
A decisive battle occurred in Malwa, where a local Gupta ruler, probably a governor, named Bhanugupta was in charge. In the Bhanugupta Eran inscription, this local ruler reports that his army participated in a great battle in 510 CE at Eran, where it suffered severe casualties.[31] Bhanugupta was probably vanquished by Toramana at this battle, so that the western Gupta province of Malwa fell into the hands of the Hunas.
On his gold coins minted in India in the style of the Gupta Emperors, Toramana presented himself confidently as:

A rare gold coin of Toramana
in the style of the Guptas.

""Avanipati Torama(no) vijitya vasudham divam jayati"

"The lord of the Earth, Toramana, having conquered the Earth, wins Heaven"

— Toramana gold coin legend

Toramana was finally vanquished with certainty by an Indian ruler of the Aulikara dynasty of Malwa, after nearly 20 years in India. According to the Rishtal stone-slab inscription, discovered in 1983, King Prakashadharma defeated Toramana in 515 CE.[26][27][40] The First Hunnic War thus ended with a Hunnic defeat, and Hunnic troops apparently retreated to the area of Punjab

Second Hunnic War: to Malwa and retreat

The Second Hunnic War started in 520, when the Alchon king Mihirakula, son of Toramana, is recorded in his military encampment on the borders of the Jhelum by Chinese monk Song Yun.[26] At the head of the Alchon, Mihirakula is then recorded in Gwalior, [26] According to some accounts, Mihirakula invaded India as far as the Gupta capital Pataliputra, which was sacked and left in ruins.

the king of Magadha named Baladitya (who could be Gupta ruler Narasimhagupta Baladitya) took refuge, but that was finally captured by the Indian king. He later spared Mihirakula's life on the intercession of his mother, as she perceived the Hun ruler "as a man of remarkable beauty and vast wisdom".[45] Mihirakula is then said to have returned to Kashmir to retake the throne.[46][23]:168 This ended the Second Hunnic War in c. 534, after an occupation which lasted nearly 15 years

Alchon rulers (400–600 CE)
c.400–440 (Anonymous kings) c.430–490 Khingila Javukha/Zabocho c.461–493 Mehama c.490 Lakhana Udayaditya Aduman c.490–515 Toramana c.515–540 Mihirakula c.530–570 Toramana II c.570–600 Narana/Narendra