Hemadpant

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia

Hemādri Paṇḍita, popularly known as Hemāḍapanta, was a polymath and a prime minister from 1259 to 1274 CE during the reign of Samrat Mahādeva (1259–1271) and samrat Ramachandra (1271–1309) of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty, which ruled the western and southern part of India. Hemadpant is also the creator of Hemadpanti architecture.[1][2]

Hemadpant
MonarchMahadeva
Ammana
Ramachandra
Succeeded byKeshavpant
Personal details
Died1309
RelationsKamadeo (Father)
OccupationMahapradhan
Military service
AllegianceSeuna (Yadava) dynasty
Years of service1259–1309
RankPeshwa
UnitSeuna cavalry
Battles/warsThird Seuna Civil War

Origin[edit | edit source]

Hemadri Pandit was born in a Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmin (DRB) family[3][4] that had its origin in the Hemadri village in the Dakshin Kannada District of Karnataka. His father, Kāmadeo, had brought him up in Maharashtra. In Hemadri's biography written by Keshav Appa Padhye, the author has mentioned that Hemadri was a Deshastha Rigvedi of Ashvalayana sutra and Vatsagotri (belonging to the Vatsa Gotra) Panchapravari brāhmaṇa(५: जामदग्ना वत्सास्तेषां पञ्चार्षेयो भार्गवच्यावनाप्नवानौर्वजामदग्नेति, ref. आश्वलायनश्रौतसूत्र). Padhye has mentioned the reference for this information to be the book authored by Hemadri himself, चतुर्वर्गचिंतामणि, or chaturvarga-chintāmaṇi.[5]

Career[edit | edit source]

Hemadri was a diplomat, an administrator, an architect, a poet, and a theologian and scholar. During his prime ministership, the Yadav kingdom reached its zenith;[citation needed] soon after his tenure, the Turkic emperor at Delhi, Alāuddin Khalji, and his successors ended the Yadav rule in southwestern India.

Writings[edit | edit source]

Hemadri wrote the encyclopedic book about dharma, Chaturvarga Chintāmaṇi. It contains, among other subjects, thousands of Vratas along with the modus operandi for performing them.

He wrote the commentary named Āyurveda Rasāyan on Ayurvedic Samhita "Ashtānga Hṛdayam", containing descriptions of various diseases and remedies for them.

A small historical book, Hemādpanti Bakhar is credited to him.

He created Mestakas to standardize procedural parts of the state administration.

Cultural contributions[edit | edit source]

Hemadri introduced use of Modi script for Marāthi (cursive style of writing Marathi) in government correspondence.

He conceived of Hemadpanti architecture of buildings and temples which did not use lime.

He introduced plantation of pearl millet (Bājari) as a staple crop.

He encouraged and supported many artists and writers like Bopadev and studied their books and presented his own criticism.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. P. V. Kate (1987). Marathwada Under the Nizams, 1724-1948. Mittal Publications. p. 7. ISBN 9788170990178.
  2. Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri (1966). A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar. Oxford University Press. p. 482.
  3. Kāḷācyā paḍadyāāḍa , Volume 2. Marāṭhī Sāhitya Parishada. 1992. p. 373. देवगिरी येथे रामचंद्रराव राजा राज्य करीत असता दमरदारीच्या कामावर हेमाद्री ऊर्फ हेमाडपंत' हा देशस्थ ऋग्वेदी ब्राह्मण काम करीत होता.
  4. Religious Cultures in Early Modern India: New Perspectives. Routledge. 2014. ISBN 9781317982876.
  5. http://www.new.dli.ernet.in/cgi-bin/metainfo.cgi?&title1=Chaturvarga%20Chintamani%20Vol%201&author1=Hemadri&subject1=RELIGION.%20THEOLOGY&year=2006%20&language1=sanskrit&pages=400&barcode=1990030083604&author2=&identifier1=&publisher1=Prabhakari%20and%20co