King Gangadeva

Introduction to King Gangadeva

King Gangadeva was probably the son of King Ganadeva who ruled Nepal in 567 A.D. The Only date to validate his reign is the inscription of Chapali Gaon. He is mentioned as the King of Nepal who also has the Chief Advisor named Bhaum Gupta.

Bhaum Gupta was the patriarch of the Gupta Family that established the influence of Guptas in Nepal including multiple Dual Reigns as well. The Practice of Dual Reign started in Nepal with King Basantadeva, the grandson of King Manadeva.

Life and Reign of King Gangadeva

Minimum to null information is available about his reign, similar to the Kings after King Basantadeva after 532 A.D. King Gangadeva was a part of the Royal Lichhavi Dynasty according to Dhana Bajra Bajracharya. He was the probable son of Ganadeva, who ruled Nepal from 557 to 565 A.D.

Further Evidence of the lineage of King Gangadeva is provided by the phrase “Bappaadanudhyat” which means “the one who has received the blessings of his Father.” This Phrase is generally written by the Crown Prince who is the new King.

Basically, He was a puppet ruler to Bhaum Gupta. Even his father Ganadeva was a puppet ruler to Bhaum Gupta.

In the inscription where Gangadeva was mentioned, Bhaum Gupta has been mentioned as Sarva Dandanayak and Mahapratihar which are the two most powerful positions after the Monarch in Lichhavi History.

After the Inscription of Gangadeva in 567 A.D., there are no inscriptions until 590 A.D. when King Shivadeva The First’s Inscription can be found.

Hence, there is a presence of an obvious gap in the Lichhavi History of Nepal. Some Historians have attributed many Kings such as Gunakamadeva as well as King Manadeva II during this time as well.

Inscription of Chapali Gaon

This Inscription of Chapali Gaon was found to be very dirty and fragmented. In Consequence, the name of the King couldn’t be decided with certainty. Later, the name of the King was deciphered successfully as King Gangadeva.

In this Inscription, it can be clearly observed that Bhaum Gupta had the upper hand in the Administration of the Lichhvi Dynasty at the time. Bhaum Gupta is shown as the authority figure who gives commands to the people. Hence, the authority of King’s authority doesn’t seem to be recognized in his own Inscription.

Conclusion

He was another insignificant King of Nepali History without any seriousness or gravity attached to his name. The Important Aspect of this King, however, lies in the visibility of Bhaum Gupta actively being part of the Lichhavi Administration and easily manipulating it to his wish and desires.

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