Varkhuman

Varkhuman, also Vargoman (c. 640-670 CE)[1][2] was an Ikhshid (King) of Sogdia, residing in the city of Samarkand in the 7th century CE. He succeeded King Shishpin.[3] He is known from the murals of Afrasiyab in Samarkand, where is seen being visited by embassies from numerous countries, including China.[4] There is also an inscription in the murals directly mentioning him.[4] His name is also known from Chinese histories.[4]

Afrasiab Palace Fresco 7th-8th century. Sogdian King of Samarkand Varkhuman.
Crenellated wall portion of the ruins of Afrasiyab, Samarkand.
Coinage of Varkhuman. Circa CE 650-675

One of the murals show a Chinese Embassy carrying silk and a string of silkworm cocoons to the local Sogdian ruler.[4] The scene depicted in the Afrasiyab murals probably occurred soon after 658 CE, when the Tang Dynasty had conquered the Western Turkic Khaganate.[5]

Varkhuman was a nominal vassal to the Chinese.[6] He is mentioned in the Chinese annals:

During the Yonghui (永徽) era (650-655), Kao-ti (emperor Gaozong) made this territory the Government of Kangju, and gave the title of Governor to the King of the country, Fou-hou-man

— Chinese annals on Varkhuman.[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.[6]

Inscription mentioning Varhuman

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

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]

Afrasiab murals
  • Turkish officers escorting dignitaries visiting king Varkhuman in Samarkand. One of them is labeled as coming from Argi (Karashahr in modern Xinjiang). Afrasiab mural, probably painted between 648 and 651 CE.[9][4]
  • Ambassadors from Chaganian (central figure, inscription of the neck), and Chach (modern Tashkent) to king Varkhuman of Samarkand. 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab murals, Samarkand.[10][4]
  • Korean ambassadors during a audience with king Varkhuman of Samarkand. They are idenfied by the two feathers on top of their head.[11] 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab, Samarkand.[12][13]
  • 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. Whitfield, Susan. The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, War and Faith. British Library. Serindia Publications, Inc. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-932476-13-2.
  2. Azarpay, Guitty; Belenickij, Aleksandr M.; Maršak, Boris Il'ič; Dresden, Mark J. Sogdian Painting: The Pictorial Epic in Oriental Art. University of California Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-520-03765-6.
  3. Baumer, Christoph. History of Central Asia, The: 4-volume set. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 243. ISBN 978-1-83860-868-2.
  4. Whitfield, Susan. The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, War and Faith. British Library. Serindia Publications, Inc. p. 110. ISBN 978-1-932476-13-2.
  5. Whitfield, Susan. The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, War and Faith. British Library. Serindia Publications, Inc. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-932476-13-2.
  6. Baumer, Christoph. History of Central Asia, The: 4-volume set. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 243. ISBN 978-1-83860-868-2.
  7. Mode, Markus (2006). "READING THE AFRASIAB MURALS: SOME COMMENTS ON RECONSTRUCTIONS AND DETAILS" (PDF). Rivista degli studi orientali. 78: 108. ISSN 0392-4866.
  8. "Afrosiab Wall Painting". contents.nahf.or.kr. NORTHEAST ASIAN HISTORY FOUNDATION.
  9. Baumer, Christoph. History of Central Asia, The: 4-volume set. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 243. ISBN 978-1-83860-868-2.
  10. Baumer, Christoph. History of Central Asia, The: 4-volume set. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 243. ISBN 978-1-83860-868-2.
  11. Library, British. The Silk Road: Trade, Travel, War and Faith. Serindia Publications, Inc. p. 110. ISBN 978-1-932476-13-2.
  12. Baumer, Christoph. History of Central Asia, The: 4-volume set. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 243. ISBN 978-1-83860-868-2.
  13. Grenet, Frantz (2004). "Maracanda/Samarkand, une métropole pré-mongole". Annales. Histoire, Sciences Sociales. 5/6: Fig. C.
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