Mihirakula, the Mighty Huna Monarch

From 500 AD onwards Huna power was in ascendancy in Western India for next thirty years.  Hunas came from Central Asia in the 5th century AD and have been referred to as Hephthalites or White Hunas by the Byzantine historians. 

Toramana was a famous Huna king in India and was succeeded by his son Mihirakula (Mihiragula, meaning sunflower) in 515 AD. Mihirakula, a follower of Shaivism, has been described by 7th century Chinese traveler Huen – T- Sang as a tyrant who fiercely persecuted the Buddhists by destroying their monasteries and killing them. He is supposed to have destroyed fourteen hundred Buddhist monasteries, His ferocity and cruelty has been also been recorded by the 12th century Kashmiri historian Kalhana in his magnum opus, Rajatarangini (Chronicle of Kings).  

Mihirakula’s capital was at Sakala (modern Sialkot in Pakistan’s Punjab). He built up a vast empire which extended up to Gwalior. 

However, Mihirakula suffered at the hands of Gupta ruler Nasimhagupta or Baladitya by which name he finds mention in the accounts of Huen – T- Sang. In about 530, Yashodharman of Mandosar, defeated Mihirakula in battle at Kehror Pucca (Lodhran district in Pakistan) and the Huna power ceased to be potent force in India.