AlfonzoGuess50: typo fix

2026-03-22T22:58:34Z

typo fix

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:28, 23 March 2026
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			{{Short description\|King of Gujarat from 1143 to 1172}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2016}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2016}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=February 2016}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=February 2016}}
	{{About\|~~Solanki king~~\|the Pala king\|Kumarapala (Pala king)}}		{{About\|King of Gujarat\|the Pala king\|Kumarapala (Pala king)}}
	{{Infobox royalty		{{Infobox royalty
	\| succession = King of [[Gujarat]]		\| succession = King of Gujarat
	\| image = ~~File:~~Chaulukyas of Anahillapataka King Kumarapala Circa 1145-1171.jpg		\| image = Chaulukyas of Anahillapataka King Kumarapala Circa 1145-1171.jpg
	\| caption = Coin of Kumarapala featuring a seated [[Lakshmi]] on one side and ''Shrimat-Kumarapaladeva'' written on other side.<ref name="Roy1980"/><ref>[https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=55245 CNG Coins]</ref>		\| caption = Coin of Kumarapala featuring a seated [[Lakshmi]] on one side and ''Shrimat-Kumarapaladeva'' written on other side.<ref name="Roy1980"/><ref>[https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=55245 CNG Coins]</ref>
	\| reign = ~~1143-1172 (29 years)~~		\| reign = 1143–1172
	\| predecessor = [[Jayasimha Siddharaja]]		\| predecessor = [[Jayasimha Siddharaja]]
	\| successor = [[Ajayapala (Chaulukya dynasty)\|Ajayapala]]		\| successor = [[Ajayapala (Chaulukya dynasty)\|Ajayapala]]
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	\| father = Tribhuvanpala		\| father = Tribhuvanpala
	\| dynasty = [[Chaulukya]] (Solanki)		\| dynasty = [[Chaulukya]] (Solanki)
	\| religion = [[Jainism]],[[Shaivism]]		\| religion = [[Jainism]], [[Shaivism]]
	}}		}}
	'''Kumarapala''' ({{reign\|1143\|1172 CE}}) was ~~an Indian king~~ from the [[Chaulukya]] (Solanki) dynasty of ~~[[Gujarat]]~~. He ruled present-day Gujarat and surrounding areas, from his capital [[Anahilapataka]] (modern Patan).		'''Kumarapala''' ({{reign\|1143\|1172}}) was a ruler from the [[Chaulukya]] (Solanki) dynasty of present-day western India. He ruled present-day [[Gujarat]] and surrounding areas, from his capital [[Anahilapataka]] (modern Patan).

	Kumarapala was a descendant of the Chaulukya king [[Bhima I]]. The information about him largely come from two sources – the numerous Sanskrit and Apabhramasa-Prakrit language inscriptions and the Jain texts. These provide a highly inconsistent historical profile in some respects, and corroborate each other in some. Both portray Kumarapala as a keen and generous patron of arts and architecture, one who supported the divergent religious Indian traditions in Western India, particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan region.		Kumarapala was a descendant of the Chaulukya king [[Bhima I]]. The information about him largely come from two sources – the numerous Sanskrit and Apabhramasa-Prakrit language inscriptions and the Jain texts. These provide a highly inconsistent historical profile in some respects, and corroborate each other in some. Both portray Kumarapala as a keen and generous patron of arts and architecture, one who supported the divergent religious Indian traditions in Western India, particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan region.
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	Kumarapala inscriptions predominantly invoke Shiva – a Hindu god, and they do not mention any Jain Tirthankara or Jaina deity. The major Veraval inscription calls him ''Mahesvara-nripa-agrani'' (worshipper of Shiva), and even Jain texts state that he worshipped Somanatha (Somesvara, Shiva). He rebuilt a spectacular Somanatha-Patan ''tirtha'' site with many Hindu temples, bathing ghats and pilgrim facilities, according to one inscription, thereby expanding the [[Somnath temple]] his father rebuilt after the plunder and destruction by Mahmud of Ghazni. The inscriptions suggest that he was a Hindu and participated in Brahmanic rituals, at least till the last known inscriptions that mention him.<ref name="Ray1958">{{cite journal \| last=Ray \| first=Nisith Ranjan \| title=A Note on the Decline of Chalukya Power under Bhimadeva II \| journal= Proceedings of the Indian History Congress \| publisher=Indian History Congress \| volume=21 \| year=1958 \| jstor=44145171 \| pages=83–86 }}</ref><ref>V Ozha and G Buhler (1889), The Somnathpattan Prasasti of Bhava Brihaspati, Vienna Oriental Journal, Volume 3, pp. 14–17</ref><ref name="Kapadia">{{cite book \| last=Kapadia \| first=A. \| title=In Praise of Kings: Rajputs, Sultans and Poets in Fifteenth-century Gujarat \| publisher=Cambridge University Press \| year=2018 \| isbn=978-1-108-22606-6 \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wyluDwAAQBAJ \| pages=26–41}}</ref>		Kumarapala inscriptions predominantly invoke Shiva – a Hindu god, and they do not mention any Jain Tirthankara or Jaina deity. The major Veraval inscription calls him ''Mahesvara-nripa-agrani'' (worshipper of Shiva), and even Jain texts state that he worshipped Somanatha (Somesvara, Shiva). He rebuilt a spectacular Somanatha-Patan ''tirtha'' site with many Hindu temples, bathing ghats and pilgrim facilities, according to one inscription, thereby expanding the [[Somnath temple]] his father rebuilt after the plunder and destruction by Mahmud of Ghazni. The inscriptions suggest that he was a Hindu and participated in Brahmanic rituals, at least till the last known inscriptions that mention him.<ref name="Ray1958">{{cite journal \| last=Ray \| first=Nisith Ranjan \| title=A Note on the Decline of Chalukya Power under Bhimadeva II \| journal= Proceedings of the Indian History Congress \| publisher=Indian History Congress \| volume=21 \| year=1958 \| jstor=44145171 \| pages=83–86 }}</ref><ref>V Ozha and G Buhler (1889), The Somnathpattan Prasasti of Bhava Brihaspati, Vienna Oriental Journal, Volume 3, pp. 14–17</ref><ref name="Kapadia">{{cite book \| last=Kapadia \| first=A. \| title=In Praise of Kings: Rajputs, Sultans and Poets in Fifteenth-century Gujarat \| publisher=Cambridge University Press \| year=2018 \| isbn=978-1-108-22606-6 \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wyluDwAAQBAJ \| pages=26–41}}</ref>

	According to Jain texts such as those written by Hemachandra and Prabhachandra, Kumarapala spent his early life in exile to avoid persecution by his relative and predecessor [[Jayasimha Siddharaja]]. He ascended the throne after Jayasimha's death, with help of his brother-in-law. He ruled for nearly three decades, during which he subdued a number of neighbouring kings, including the [[Chahamanas of Shakambhari\|Chahamana]] king [[Arnoraja]] and the [[Shilahara]] king [[Mallikarjuna (Shilahara dynasty)\|Mallikarjuna]]. He also annexed the [[Paramara]] territory of [[Malwa]] to his kingdom by defeating Ballala. Kumarapala, state the Jain text, became a disciple of the [[Jainism\|Jain]] scholar [[Hemachandra]] and adopted Jainism towards the end of his reign. The Jain texts composed after his death, additionally state that after his conversion, Kumarapala banned all killing of animals in his kingdom – a law that would be consistent with the [[Ahimsa]] principle. Multiple legendary biographies by medieval Jain chroniclers present him as the last great royal patron of Jainism.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=120-125}} However, the inscriptions and the evidence from rulers who succeeded Kumarapala do not corroborate the Jain texts.<ref name="Ray1958"/> ~~Furthemore~~, the Jaina chronicles differ substantially in important details about his life.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=89}}		According to Jain texts such as those written by Hemachandra and Prabhachandra, Kumarapala spent his early life in exile to avoid persecution by his relative and predecessor [[Jayasimha Siddharaja]]. He ascended the throne after Jayasimha's death, with help of his brother-in-law. He ruled for nearly three decades, during which he subdued a number of neighbouring kings, including the [[Chahamanas of Shakambhari\|Chahamana]] king [[Arnoraja]] and the [[Shilahara]] king [[Mallikarjuna (Shilahara dynasty)\|Mallikarjuna]]. He also annexed the [[Paramara dynasty\|Paramara]] territory of [[Malwa]] to his kingdom by defeating Ballala. Kumarapala, state the Jain text, became a disciple of the [[Jainism\|Jain]] scholar [[Hemachandra]] and adopted Jainism towards the end of his reign. The Jain texts composed after his death, additionally state that after his conversion, Kumarapala banned all killing of animals in his kingdom – a law that would be consistent with the [[Ahimsa]] principle. Multiple legendary biographies by medieval Jain chroniclers present him as the last great royal patron of Jainism.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=120-125}} However, the inscriptions and the evidence from rulers who succeeded Kumarapala do not corroborate the Jain texts.<ref name="Ray1958"/> Furthermore, the Jaina chronicles differ substantially in important details about his life.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=89}}

	== Sources of information ==		== Sources of information ==
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	According to Merutunga, the ministers who had served Jayasimha tried to have the newly crowned Kumarapala assassinated. But Kumarapala survived after being forewarned by a loyal servant, and had the conspirators killed. Sometime later, his brother-in-law Kanhada-deva, who had played an important role in his ascension, started making fun of him by divulging secrets from his days as a mendicant. Kumarapala warned him to stop doing this, but Kanhada didn't comply with this request. As a result, Kumarapala had his limbs paralyzed by wrestlers and also blinded him. After this incident, all the officers and [[samanta]]s (feudatories) started treating the new king with respect.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=103}}		According to Merutunga, the ministers who had served Jayasimha tried to have the newly crowned Kumarapala assassinated. But Kumarapala survived after being forewarned by a loyal servant, and had the conspirators killed. Sometime later, his brother-in-law Kanhada-deva, who had played an important role in his ascension, started making fun of him by divulging secrets from his days as a mendicant. Kumarapala warned him to stop doing this, but Kanhada didn't comply with this request. As a result, Kumarapala had his limbs paralyzed by wrestlers and also blinded him. After this incident, all the officers and [[samanta]]s (feudatories) started treating the new king with respect.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=103}}

	Historical evidence suggests that Kumarapala's empire extended from [[Chittor]] and [[Jaisalmer]] in the north to the [[Vindhya]]s and the [[Tapti ~~river~~]] in the south (ignoring his raid of the [[Shilahara]] kingdom of northern [[Konkana]]). In the west, it included [[Kutch district\|Kachchha]] and [[Saurashtra (region)\|Saurashtra]]; in the east, it extended up to at least [[Vidisha]] (Bhilsa).{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=119}} The Jain chroniclers provide highly exaggerated accounts of the territorial extent of Kumarapala's kingdom. For example, Udayaprabha claims that Kumarapala's empire included [[Coastal Andhra\|Andhra]], [[Anga]], [[Chola Empire\|Chauda]], [[Gauḍa (region)\|Gauda]], [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)\|Kalinga]], [[Karnata]], [[Kuru Kingdom\|Kuru]], [[Lata (region)\|Lata]], [[Medapata]], [[Marwar\|Maru]], and [[Bengal\|Vanga]]. Such claims are of little historical value.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=118}}		Historical evidence suggests that Kumarapala's empire extended from [[Chittor]] and [[Jaisalmer]] in the north to the [[Vindhya]]s and the [[Tapti River]] in the south (ignoring his raid of the [[Shilahara]] kingdom of northern [[Konkana]]). In the west, it included [[Kutch district\|Kachchha]] and [[Saurashtra (region)\|Saurashtra]]; in the east, it extended up to at least [[Vidisha]] (Bhilsa).{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=119}} The Jain chroniclers provide highly exaggerated accounts of the territorial extent of Kumarapala's kingdom. For example, Udayaprabha claims that Kumarapala's empire included [[Coastal Andhra\|Andhra]], [[Anga]], [[Chola Empire\|Chauda]], [[Gauḍa (region)\|Gauda]], [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)\|Kalinga]], [[Karnata]], [[Kuru Kingdom\|Kuru]], [[Lata (region)\|Lata]], [[Medapata]], [[Marwar\|Maru]], and [[Bengal\|Vanga]]. Such claims are of little historical value.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=118}}

	=== Chahamanas of Shakambhari ===		=== Chahamanas of Shakambhari ===
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	=== Ballala of Malwa ===		=== Ballala of Malwa ===

	Jayasimha Siddharaja had captured a large part of the [[Paramara]] kingdom of [[Malwa]]. After his death, the Paramara king [[Jayavarman I (Paramara dynasty)\|Jayavarman I]] regained control of his kingdom. However, his reign was cut short by an usurper named Ballala. According to [[Hemachandra]], Ballala had agreed to join Arnoraja's invasion of Gujarat. However, Hemachandra does not describe him as actually participating in Arnoraja's battle against Kumarapala. It is possible that Ballala had to change his plans because of the matrimonial alliance between Arnoraja and Kumarapala. Two of Kumarapala's generals - Vijaya and Krishna - betrayed him, and joined Ballala. Kumarapala then sent an army against Ballala around 1150-51 CE.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=112}}		Jayasimha Siddharaja had captured a large part of the [[Paramara dynasty\|Paramara]] kingdom of [[Malwa]]. After his death, the Paramara king [[Jayavarman I (Paramara dynasty)\|Jayavarman I]] regained control of his kingdom. However, his reign was cut short by an usurper named Ballala. According to [[Hemachandra]], Ballala had agreed to join Arnoraja's invasion of Gujarat. However, Hemachandra does not describe him as actually participating in Arnoraja's battle against Kumarapala. It is possible that Ballala had to change his plans because of the matrimonial alliance between Arnoraja and Kumarapala. Two of Kumarapala's generals - Vijaya and Krishna - betrayed him, and joined Ballala. Kumarapala then sent an army against Ballala around 1150-51 CE.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=112}}

	Kumarapala's Abu Paramara feudatory Yashodhavala killed Ballala in a battle, as attested by a [[Mount Abu]] inscription. The [[Vadnagar]] ''[[prashasti]]'' inscription of Kumarapala boasts that the head of the lord of Malwa hung at the gates of the Chaulukya palace. This "lord of Malwa" is identified with Ballala.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=112}}		Kumarapala's Abu Paramara feudatory Yashodhavala killed Ballala in a battle, as attested by a [[Mount Abu]] inscription. The [[Vadnagar]] ''[[prashasti]]'' inscription of Kumarapala boasts that the head of the lord of Malwa hung at the gates of the Chaulukya palace. This "lord of Malwa" is identified with Ballala.{{sfn\|Asoke Kumar Majumdar\|1956\|p=112}}
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	Kavi Vagbhatta who wrote ''Vagbhattalankara'', built the Mahavira temple known as Undira-vasahika at Padra which was consecrated by Jinabhadrasuri. Minister Vadhuyana's son Kapardi built the Adinath temple at Vatesara. A mutilated Junagdh inscription mentions many temples built by Minister Dhavala.<ref name="Dhaky1961"/>		Kavi Vagbhatta who wrote ''Vagbhattalankara'', built the Mahavira temple known as Undira-vasahika at Padra which was consecrated by Jinabhadrasuri. Minister Vadhuyana's son Kapardi built the Adinath temple at Vatesara. A mutilated Junagdh inscription mentions many temples built by Minister Dhavala.<ref name="Dhaky1961"/>

	The earliest extant temple of his period is small temple of Sarvamangala Devi at Khandoran. Other extant temples include Khandeshwari-mata Temple at Math near Kasangadh near Idar, the Mata temple (1146 CE) at Kanoda, the triple shrine at Parbadi in Saurashtra, Kumbheshwara Temple at [[Kumbhariya, Banaskantha district\|Kumbhariya]]. The ''mandapa'' was added to Akhada Mahadeva temple at Vasai during his time. The [[Galateshwar Temple\|temple at Galteshwar]] in [[Kheda district]] is a rare ''Bhumija'' style temple of Chalukyan style, devoid of any Paramara influence. There is a temple of Shashibhushana (c. 1169 CE) at Prabhas which is mentioned as one of five sacred temples of the town according to ''Prabhas-kanda''. Kumarapala's Somanatha inscription mentions its renovation by Pashupatacharya Bhava Brihaspati. Some older parts of the temple still survives.<ref name="Dhaky1961"/>		The earliest extant temple of his period is small temple of Sarvamangala Devi at Khandoran. Other extant temples include Khandeshwari-mata Temple at Math near Kasangadh near Idar, the Mata temple (1146 CE) at Kanoda, the triple shrine at Parbadi in Saurashtra, Kumbheshwara Temple at [[Kumbhariya, Banaskantha district\|Kumbhariya]]. The ''mandapa'' was added to Akhada Mahadeva temple at Vasai during his time. The [[Galateshwar Temple\|temple at Galteshwar]] in [[Kheda district]] is a rare ''Bhumija'' style temple of Chalukyan style, devoid of any Paramara influence. There is a temple of Shashibhushana (c. 1169 CE) at Prabhas which is mentioned as one of five sacred temples of the town according to ''Prabhas-kanda''. Kumarapala's Somanatha inscription mentions its renovation by Pashupatacharya [[Bhava Brihaspati]]. Some older parts of the temple still survives.<ref name="Dhaky1961"/>

	== References ==		== References ==
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	{{Authority control}}		{{Authority control}}

			[[Category:Chaulukya kings]]
	[[Category:12th-century Indian Jains]]		[[Category:12th-century Indian Jains]]
	[[Category:12th-century Indian monarchs]]		[[Category:12th-century Indian monarchs]]
	[[Category:Jain monarchs]]		[[Category:Jain monarchs]]
	[[Category:Chaulukya dynasty]]		[[Category:Chaulukya dynasty]]

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Kumarapala (Chaulukya dynasty) - Revision history

AlfonzoGuess50: typo fix

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article