Bihwa Gaya

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Bihwa Gaya

Hangul	비화가야
Hanja	非火伽倻
Revised Romanization	Bihwa Gaya
McCune-Reischauer	Pihwa Kaya

History of Korea
Prehistory Jeulmun period Mumun period Gojoseon 2333-108 BC Jin state Proto-Three Kingdoms: 108-57 BC Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye Samhan: Ma, Byeon, Jin Three Kingdoms: 57 BC - 668 AD Goguryeo 37 BC - 668 AD Sui wars Baekje 18 BC - 660 AD Silla 57 BC - 935 AD Gaya 42-562 North-South States: 698-935 Unified Silla 668-935 Balhae 698-926 Later Three Kingdoms 892-935 Goryeo 918-1392 Khitan wars Mongol invasions Joseon 1392-1897 Japanese invasions 1592-1598 Manchu invasions Korean Empire 1897–1910 Japanese rule 1910–1945 Provisional Gov't 1919-1948 Division of Korea 1945–1948 North, South Korea 1948–present Korean War 1950–1953
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Bihwa Gaya, also known as Bijabal, was one of the kingdoms of the Gaya confederacy during the Three Kingdoms Period. It was based near the modern city center of Changnyeong County in South Gyeongsang province, South Korea. It was conquered by Silla in the 6th century, before 555.

Bihwa Gaya is mentioned in the Goryeo Saryak and under the name "Bijabal" in the Japanese chronicle Nihonshoki. It may have arisen from the 3rd century Jinhan state of Bulsaguk (불사국, 不斯國) which was probably also located in Changnyeong. Archeological evidence suggests a close relationship between Bihwa Gaya and nearby Silla, although as part of the Gaya confederacy Bihwa would frequently have been at war with Silla.

The royal tombs of Bihwa Gaya are located in Gyo-dong, Changnyeong-eup, in Changnyeong County. Some of these tombs were excavated during the period of Japanese occupation in 1918, but all records of that excavation have been lost. In 1973, a team of researchers from Busan's Dong-A University excavated several remaining tombs. These tombs appear to have been constructed in the 5th century. Some of them show indications of live burial of members of the royal household. In 1996, a museum focused on the relics of the Bihwa Gaya period opened adjacent to the tombs.