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| name = Vidyādhara varman | | name = Vidyādhara varman | ||
| title = Paramabhattaraka, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshvara, Srī-kalanjaradhipati | | title = Paramabhattaraka, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshvara, Srī-kalanjaradhipati | ||
| succession = [[ | | succession = Emperor of the [[Chandel Empire]] | ||
| reign = c. 1003–1035 | | reign = c. 1003–1035 | ||
| predecessor = [[Ganda (Chandela dynasty)|Gandavarman]] | | predecessor = [[Ganda (Chandela dynasty)|Gandavarman]] | ||
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| regnal name = | | regnal name = | ||
| full name = Srīmat Vidyadhara Varman Deva | | full name = Srīmat Vidyadhara Varman Deva | ||
| dynasty = [[ | | dynasty = [[Chandela dynasty of Jejakabhukti]] | ||
| house = [[ | | house = [[Chandel (Rajput clan)|Chandel]] | ||
| father = Gandavarman | | father = Gandavarman | ||
| mother = | | mother = | ||
| native_lang1 = [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] | | native_lang1 = [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] | ||
| native_lang1_name1 = {{lang|fa|{{nastaliq|श्रीमत-विद्याधर-वर्म-देव }}}} | | native_lang1_name1 = {{lang|fa|{{nastaliq|श्रीमत-विद्याधर-वर्म-देव }}}} | ||
| religion = [[ | | religion = [[Shaivism]] | ||
| image = | | image = | ||
| image_size = | | image_size = | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''Vidyadharavarman''' ( | '''Vidyadharavarman''' ([[Nagari]]: विद्याधरवर्मन, [[romanized]]: ''Vidyādhara Varman''), most colloquially known as '''Vidyadhar Chandel''', was emperor of the [[Chandel Empire]] of India from 1003 CE until his death in 1030 CE. He was the son of [[Gandavarman|Gandavarman]], and ascended to the throne when Ganda died two years after his accession. Vidyadhara Varman's early and later reigns were peaceful, while much of his middle reign was spent conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout India, defeating and subjugating [[Bhoja]] of the [[Paramaras of Malwa]] and others. By 1020, he had created one of the largest empires in India, extending Chandel suzerainty across Northern India.{{sfn|Dikshit|1976|pp=74-76}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Majumdar R.c. |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.527071 |title=The Struggle For Empire |date=1957 |publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Bombay}}</ref> He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered to be one of history's greatest and most successful military commanders, having defeated [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] twice, who was one of the most formidable rulers and military commanders of the Islamic world. His efforts successfully prevented the permanent establishment of the Ghaznavid Empire in North India. To celebrate his glorious reign and victories, he constructed the magnificent [[Kandariya Mahadeva Temple]] at [[Khajuraho]], the religious capital of the Chandelas.{{sfn|Dikshit|1976|pp=87,96-97}} | ||
== Ascension == | == Ascension == | ||
Revision as of 15:31, 22 September 2026
| Vidyādhara varman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paramabhattaraka, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshvara, Srī-kalanjaradhipati | |||||
| Emperor of the Chandel Empire | |||||
| Reign | c. 1003–1035 | ||||
| Predecessor | Gandavarman | ||||
| Successor | Vijayapalavarman | ||||
| |||||
| Sanskrit | श्रीमत-विद्याधर-वर्म-देव | ||||
| House | Chandel | ||||
| Dynasty | Chandela dynasty of Jejakabhukti | ||||
| Father | Gandavarman | ||||
| Religion | Shaivism | ||||
Vidyadharavarman (Nagari: विद्याधरवर्मन, romanized: Vidyādhara Varman), most colloquially known as Vidyadhar Chandel, was emperor of the Chandel Empire of India from 1003 CE until his death in 1030 CE. He was the son of Gandavarman, and ascended to the throne when Ganda died two years after his accession. Vidyadhara Varman's early and later reigns were peaceful, while much of his middle reign was spent conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout India, defeating and subjugating Bhoja of the Paramaras of Malwa and others. By 1020, he had created one of the largest empires in India, extending Chandel suzerainty across Northern India.[1][2] He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered to be one of history's greatest and most successful military commanders, having defeated Mahmud of Ghazni twice, who was one of the most formidable rulers and military commanders of the Islamic world. His efforts successfully prevented the permanent establishment of the Ghaznavid Empire in North India. To celebrate his glorious reign and victories, he constructed the magnificent Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho, the religious capital of the Chandelas.[3]
Ascension
Until the 1970s, scholars such as R. K. Dikshit assigned the beginning of Vidyadhara's reign to 1018 CE.[4] However, later, a copper-plate issued by Vidyadhara's queen Satyabhama was discovered at Kundeshwar. This inscription is dated 1004 CE, which proves that Vidyadhara was already ruling in 1004 CE. Based on this, scholar S. K. Sullerey dates Vidyadhara's reign as 1003-1035 CE.[5][6]
Invasion of Kannauj
In 1018, the Ghaznavid king Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Kannauj, whose Pratihara king (possibly Rajyapala) fled the city, allowing the Ghaznvids to sack it without facing much resistance. According to the 12th century Muslim historian Ali ibn al-Athir, Bida, the king of Khajuraho killed the king of Kannauj as a punishment for this cowardice. Bida is believed to be a variant of "Vidya" (that is, Vidyadhara). Some later Muslim historians misread this name as "Nanda", based on which British-era scholars identified the killer of the Kannauj king as Vidyadhara's predecessor Ganda. However, an inscription discovered at Mahoba confirms that it was Vidyadhara who defeated the ruler of Kannauj.[7][8] The Dubkund inscription of Arjuna of Kachchhapaghata family claims that Arjuna killed Rajyapala in a great battle. The Kachchhapaghatas were feudatories of the Chandelas, so it appears that Arjuna was acting as an agent of Vidyadhara.[9]
It is possible that Vidyadhara appointed Rajyapala's successor Trilochanapala on the Pratihara throne.[10] In 1019, Mahmud launched a fresh invasion of India, and defeated the Kabul Shahi ruler Trilochanapala (not to be confused with the Pratihara ruler of same name). He then advanced towards Bari, the new Pratihara capital. According to Abu Sa'id Gardezi's Zayn al-Akhbar, the Pratihara ruler Trilochanapala fled from the town. After sacking Bari, Mahmud encountered the army of Vidyadhara (variously named "Bida" or "Nanda" in Muslim chronicles).[11]
According to Nizamuddin Ahmad's Tabaqat-i-Akbari, the two armies were encamped on the opposite banks of a river. Mahmud sent an envoy to Vidyadhara (called "Nanda" by Ahmad), asking him to accept Islam and Mahmud's suzerainty. Vidyadhara refused to make a submission. After seeing the Chandela ruler's vast army from an elevated spot, Mahmud became worried. However, at night, Vidyadhara withdrew with some of his companions, leaving behind his army. According to this account, there was no fight between the two armies. After Vidyadhara's withdrawal, Mahmud's army sacked his camp, and procured a great amount of wealth, including 580 elephants. Gardezi, in his Zayn al-Akhbar, states that the Chandela ruler (called "Ganda" in this account) had already deserted his camp by the time Mahmud's envoy reached there. Ali ibn al-Athir offers a different account, stating that the two armies fought a battle before retreating at the nightfall. [12]
In 1022, Mahmud invaded the Chandela kingdom again, besieging the Gwalior Fort (Gopadri), which was controlled by a Kachchhapaghata feudatory of Vidyadhara. This feudatory is identified with Kirtiraja. According to Tabaqat-i-Akbari Mahmud lifted the siege after four days, in return for a tribute of 35 elephants. He then proceeded to besiege the Chandela fortress of Kalanjara. After a long siege, the Kalanjara ruler (called "Nanda" in this account), offered Mahmud a tribute of 300 elephants and "begged for safety". According to Firishta's account, the Chandela king intoxicated the elephants and sent them to Mahmud's camp without any riders. These wild elephants were tamed by Mahmud's Tatar soldiers. The Chandela king, on seeing this act of bravery, sent a panegyric praising Mahmud and his army. In return, Mahmud also complimented the Vidyadhara, and awarded him 15 fortresses and other presents before turning to his capital Ghazna.[13]
S. K. Mitra theorizes that the encounter between Vidyadhara and Mahmud ended with an "exchange of gifts", which must have been depicted as "tribute" by the Muslim historians.[14]
Triumph over Bhoja Paramara of Malwa
An inscription of Kirtiraja, the Kachchhapaghata ruler of Gwalior, claims that he defeated the forces of the Malwa ruler. At that time, Malwa was ruled by the powerful Paramara king Bhoja. It is unlikely that Kirtiraja could have defeated him alone. Thus, S. K. Mitra theorizes that Kirtiraja must have received help from his overlord Vidyadhara in this campaign. One possibility is that Bhoja invaded the Chandela kingdom, but was forced to retreat by Kirtiraja.[15]
The fragmentary Mahoba inscription of the Chandelas states that Bhoja and Kalachuri-Chandra, like scared pupils, worshipped Vidhyadhara, a master of warfare.[10] Kalachuri-Chandra (literally "Moon of the Kalachuris") is identified with the Kalachuri king Gangeya-deva. According to one theory, Bhoja, aided by Gangeya, invaded the Chandela kingdom, but Vidyadhara Varman forced them to retreat.
K. M. Munshi believe that the Mahoba inscription is merely a boastful exaggeration.[16] But historians like R.K. Dixit, R.C. Majumdar, Nemai Sadan Bose etc. accepted the fact that the Paramara king Bhoja and the Kalachuri king Gangeyadeva both were defeated by Vidyadhar Varman and accepted the Chandela supremacy, while the Kalachuris of Tripuri became the feudals of Chandelas of Jejakabhukti.[1][17]
Cultural contributions
Vidyadhara commissioned the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho.[18] Epigraphic inscriptions on a pilaster of the mandapa in the temple mentions a king called "Virimda", which is interpreted as another name of Vidhyadhara.[19]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dikshit 1976, pp. 74-76.
- ↑ Majumdar R.c. (1957). The Struggle For Empire. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Bombay.
- ↑ Dikshit 1976, pp. 87,96-97.
- ↑ Dikshit 1976, pp. 71-72.
- ↑ Sullerey 2004, p. 25.
- ↑ Indian Archaeology: A Review. Archaeological Survey of India. 1975. p. 55.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, pp. 72-73.
- ↑ Dikshit 1976, p. 72.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, pp. 74-75.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Mitra 1977, p. 75.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, p. 78.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, pp. 78-79.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, pp. 80-82.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, p. 82.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, pp. 83-84.
- ↑ Singh 1984, p. 69.
- ↑ Majumdar R.c. (1957). The Struggle For Empire. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Bombay.
- ↑ Sullerey 2004, p. 26.
- ↑ Deva 1990, p. 370.
Bibliography
- Deva, Krishna (1990). Temples of Khajuraho. Vol. 1. Archaeological Survey of India.
- Dikshit, R. K. (1976). The Candellas of Jejākabhukti. Abhinav. ISBN 9788170170464.
- Mitra, Sisirkumar (1977). The Early Rulers of Khajurāho. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120819979.
- Singh, Mahesh (1984). Bhoja Paramāra and His Times. Bharatiya Vidya Prakashan.
- Sullerey, Sushil Kumar (2004). Chandella Art. Aakar Books. ISBN 978-81-87879-32-9.