Varkhuman

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Varkhuman
Varkhūmān Ūnash[1]
Ikhshid of Samarkand
300px
Coinage of Varkhuman. Circa CE 650-675.[1]
Reign Circa 650-670 CE
Predecessor Shishpin
Successor Urk Wartramuk
Born Samarkand, Sogdia
Dynasty Ikhshids
Religion Zoroastrianism
File:Afrasiyab ruins in Samarkand.jpg
Crenellated wall portion of the ruins of Afrasiyab, Samarkand.

Varkhuman, also Vargoman (Chinese: 拂呼缦 Fúhūmàn, c. 640-670 CE)[2][3] was an Ikhshid (King) of Sogdia, residing in the city of Samarkand in the 7th century CE. He succeeded King Shishpin.[4] He is known from the Afrasiab murals of Afrasiyab in Samarkand, where is seen being visited by embassies from numerous countries, including China.[5] There is also an inscription in the murals directly mentioning him.[5] His name is also known from Chinese histories.[5]

One of the murals show a Chinese Embassy carrying silk and a string of silkworm cocoons to the local Sogdian ruler.[5] The scene depicted in the Afrasiyab murals probably occurred soon after 658 CE, when the Tang Dynasty had conquered the Western Turkic Khaganate.[2]

Varkhuman was a nominal vassal to the Chinese.[4] He is mentioned in the Chinese annals:

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During the Yonghui (永徽) era (650-655 CE), emperor Gaozong made this territory the Government of Kangju, and gave the title of Governor to the King of the country, Varkhuman (拂呼缦, Fúhūmàn).

— Chinese annals on Varkhuman.[6][7]

Varkhuman's legacy was short-lived, as his palace was destroyed by the Arab general Sa'id ibn Uthman between 675 and 677 CE. At that time, according to Narshakhi there was no king of Samarkand anymore.[4]

Inscription mentioning Varhuman

In the murals of Afrasiab, an inscription mentioning Varhuman has been found. It is written in Sogdian:

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File:Afrasiab Sogdian inscription.jpg
Afrasiab Sogdian inscription
When King Varkhuman Unash came to him [the ambassador] opened his mouth [and said thus]: "I am Pukarzate, the dapirpat (chancellor) of Chaganian. I arrived here from Turantash, the lord of Chaganian, to Samarkand, to the king, and with respect [to] the king [now] I am [here]. And with regard to me do not have any misgivings: About the gods of Samarkand, as well as about the writing of Samarkand I am keenly aware, and I also have not done any harm to the king. Let you be quite fortunate!" And King Varkhuman Unash took leave [of him]. And [then] the dapirpat (chancellor) of Chach opened his mouth.
— Inscription on an ambassador's robe.[8][9][10][11]

Afrasiab murals

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Main article: Afrasiab murals
  • King Varkhuman on horse, Afrasiab remaining parts and reconstitution.jpg

    King Varkhuman on horse, Afrasiab remaining parts and reconstitution.[12]

  • Ambassadors from Chaganian (central figure, inscription of the neck), and Chach (modern Tashkent) to king Varkhuman of Samarkand. 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab, Samarkand.jpg

    Ambassadors from Chaganian (central figure, inscription of the neck), and Chach (modern Tashkent) to king Varkhuman of Samarkand. 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab murals, Samarkand.[4][5]

  • Korean ambassadors during a audience with king Varkhuman of Samarkand. 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab, Samarkand.jpg

    Korean ambassadors during an audience with king Varkhuman of Samarkand. They are identified by the two feathers on top of their head.[13] 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab, Samarkand.[4][14]

  • Tang Dynasty emissaries at the court of Varkhuman in Samarkand carrying silk and a string of silkworm cocoons, 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab murals, Samarkand.jpg

    Tang Dynasty emissaries at the court of Varkhuman in Samarkand carrying silk and a string of silkworm cocoons, 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab murals, Samarkand

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ New Book of Tang, Book 221. 新唐书/卷221下: "高宗永徽时，以其地为康居都督府，即授其王拂呼缦为都督。" in Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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