The Huns invasion had a profound impact on Indian public life. The invasion of the Huns gave a deep blow to the decadent Gupta empire. Indian life and economy had to suffer a lot due to the brutality and looting of the Huns. Political unity and economic security could not be established for centuries after their withdrawal from Indian territory. The area acquired by the Huns was submerged in chaos and disorder for some time. As a result of their invasions, the republics of Punjab also ceased to exist forever.
Impact of Huns on Indian society
The Huns invasion also had an impact on Indian society. Due to caste system, the burdensome Hindu society got shaken and it led to many important changes in the structure. Later, Huns got mixed up in Hindu society and they established matrimonial relations among the descendants here. Taad has given the opinion that Indian Rajputs originated from Huns.
Effect on economic condition
The Hun invasions had a bad effect on India’s economic condition. The economic condition of the country deteriorated. The decline of metal in the coins of Skandagupta and his successors shows that, the economic condition had deteriorated at that time.
After Skandagupta, the tradition of manufacturing gold coins came to an end. On the basis of the territories they had won, the Huns ran a variety of coins. In Afghanistan and some parts of the northwest, coins were introduced on the simulation of Sasanian coins. They are of silver and copper, and many of their funds have been found in Gujarat, Rajasthan etc. In the Indian tradition they are called Gadhaiya or Gadhiya. On their forehead, the upper part of the ruler with the Sasani imitation and the Agnaveedika are found on the surface. these types of Coins are found till the thirteenth century. Their spread is visible to the south, which were transported there by traders.
Religious persecution
The Huns demolished the cities and looted the Buddhist monasteries. They were centers of culture and property.
Shock to trade commerce
This attack accelerated the pace of economic collapse. The Huns also damaged India’s trade and commerce with Central Asia. Business routes became turbulent and were closed. After the trade with Central Asia ceased, Indian traders turned to South-East Asia.
Maritime trade was affected. The scholar named Kasmus does not mention ports like Sopara, Kalyan, Bhonch etc. Internal trade was also affected. Coins continued to gain importance in trade and commerce, and cheap metals were introduced into them.
Shock to art and literature
The attack of Huns also hurt Indian literature and art. Ancient cities like Taxila, Kaushambi, Nalanda, Pataliputra were either demolished or heavily damaged during Mihirkul’s period.
Buddhist viharas and stupas were also burnt. According to Chinese sources, Mihirkul destroyed 1600 stupas and sangharams only in Gandhar region.
Reference : https://www.indiaolddays.com
