Ikhshid of Samarkand From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Varkhuman, also Vargoman (Chinese:拂呼縵; pinyin: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 he 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]
Crenellated wall portion of the ruins of Afrasiyab, Samarkand.
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:
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).
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]
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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.
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 murals, Samarkand.[4][5]
Goguryeo ambassadors[13] during an audience with king Varkhuman of Samarkand. They are identified by the two feathers on top of their head.[14] 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab, Samarkand.[4][15]
Tang dynasty emissaries at the court of Varkhuman in Samarkand carrying silk and a string of silkworm cocoons, 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab murals, Samarkand
._Varkhuman._Circa_CE_650-675.jpg)
King Varkhuman on horse, Afrasiab remaining parts and reconstitution.[12]
Tang dynasty emissaries at the court of Varkhuman in Samarkand carrying silk and a string of silkworm cocoons, 648-651 CE, Afrasiyab murals, Samarkand
,_and_Chach_(modern_Tashkent)_to_king_Varkhuman_of_Samarkand._648-651_CE,_Afrasiyab,_Samarkand.jpg)
