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Vidyadharavarman (Chandel Emperor)
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| Vidyadharavarman | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Chakravartin Samrat 'Paramabhattaraka-Maharajadhiraja-ParamaMaheshvara Parameshvara-Dharmarajika-Rajnyashrestha-Prajapita-Mahobanaresh-Mahishmatipati-Sri-Kalanjaradhipati' | |||||||||
 Imagination art of Vidyadharavarman Chandel and Mahmud of Ghazni | |||||||||
| 9th Chandel Emperor | |||||||||
| Reign | r. c. 1003-1035 CE | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Gandavarman | ||||||||
| Successor | Vijayapalavarman | ||||||||
| Maharani | Satyabhama-Devi (Chauhan Princess) [1][2] | ||||||||
| Sons |
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| Sanskrit | श्रीमनमत विद्याधरवर्मन देव चन्देल | ||||||||
| Military career | |||||||||
| Service | Chandel Army | ||||||||
| Years of service | 1003-1035 CE | ||||||||
| Rank | Chakravartin | ||||||||
| House | Haihaya Yadava, Chandravansh | ||||||||
| Dynasty | Chandel | ||||||||
| Father | Gandavarman | ||||||||
| Religion | Shaivite, Hinduism | ||||||||
Vidyadharavarman (Hindi: विद्याधरवर्मन चन्देल, reign. c. 1003-1035 CE), was a Chakravartin emperor of India from the Chandravanshi Haihaya-Chandel dynasty. He ruled from his capital at Kalanjara in Jejakabhukti region (present-day in Uttar Pradesh). During invasion on kannauj, he killed the Ghaznavid governors and a Pratihara king Rajyapala. He defeated and imprisoned the Paramara king Bhoja and Kalachuri king Gangeyadeva and placed them under the Chandel empire. He was the only Hindu Rajput ruler who resisted Mahmud Ghaznavi twice in the battle. Later in 1030 CE, he celebrated his success over Mahmud Ghaznavi, Bhoja etc rulers by building Kandhariya Mahadev temple.[6][7][8][9]
Ascension[edit]
Until the 1970s, scholars such as R. K. Dikshit assigned the beginning of Vidyadharavarman's reign to 1018 CE.[10] However, later, a copper-plate issued by Vidyadharavarman's queen Satyabhama was discovered at Kundeshwar. This inscription is dated 1004 CE, which proves that Vidyadharavarman was already ruling in 1004 CE. Based on this, scholar S. K. Sullerey dates Vidyadharavarman's reign as 1003-1035 CE.[1][11] In early period he streched Chandel power from Chambal river in the northwest and Narmada River in south. He was a brave and skilled ruler like his grandfather Dhangavarman. According to the Khajuraho inscription, He was born in the lineage of Chandratreya, who was the son of Mahrishi Atri, from whom came this sacred Chandel dynasty of great kings. This great Chandela dynasty is synonymous of the Vrishni or Chedi dynasty of Haihaya-Yadavas (Chandravanshi Rajputs). Vidyadharavarman was married to Chauhan Princess Satyabhama. From Satyabhama he had three sons,Vijayapalavarman, Jayapalavarman, Ajayapalavarman.[12] His full name was Vidyadharavarman Dev Chandel.[13][14][15]
Military Career[edit]
Invasion on Kannauj[edit]
In 1018 CE, 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, Vidyadharavarman). Some later Muslim historians misread this name as "Nanda", based on which British-era scholars identified the killer of the Kannauj king as Vidyadharavarman's predecessor Gandavarman. However, an inscription discovered at Mahoba confirms that it was Vidyadharavarman who defeated the ruler of Kannauj.[16][17] The Dubkund inscription of Arjuna of Kachchhapaghata family claims that Arjuna killed Rajyapala in a great battle. The Kachchhapaghatas were feudatories of the Chandels, so it appears that Arjuna was acting as an agent of Vidyadharavarman.[18]
Against Mahmud of Ghazna[edit]
It is possible that Vidyadharavarman appointed Rajyapala's successor Trilochanapala on the Pratihara throne.[19] In 1019 CE, 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).[20] According Dr. Katare in J.H.Q, Vidyadharavarman defeated Mahmud soon after the latter's invasion of Kannauj.[6] According to C.V. Vaidya, the invasions of the Yaminis (Ghaznavid) had completely changed the political map of Northern India. The empire of the Gurjara-Pratiharas and the kingdom of the Hindu Shahis the valiant defenders of the North-West had disappeared, along with a whole host of minor states. Chandels alone survived the or deal. They not only halted the triumphal career of Mahmud of Ghazna, but also emerged as the dominant power to the North of the Vindhyas and the credit for that undoubtedly goes to the sagacious policy of Vidyadharavarman.[21] After an unsuccessful invasion of Kalinjar in 1019 CE, Mahmud of Ghazni again invaded the Chandel kingdom in 1022 CE and the war was fought outside of Kalinjar fort. After a long battle Mahmud surrendered and made a peace with Kalinjar. Later, Vidyadharavarman celebrated his success over Mahmud of Ghazni, Bhoja and other rulers by building Kandhariya Mahadev temple.[7][8][22][23][24] Also, an inscription of the Chandel emperor Jayavarman also states that Vidyadharavarman defeated Mahmud Ghaznavi after his invasion of Kanyakubja (Kannauj).[25]
Against Paramaras & Kalachuris[edit]
Paramara Bhoja, as part of his campaigns, attacked King Kitiraja of the Kachchhapaghat dynasty of Gwalior and Kachchhapaghat was a vassal of the Chandels. Although Bhoj tried to woo him, he considered it wrong to betray his beloved king and declined the invitation. By then the Chandel army arrived and Bhoja had to retreat. According to the inscriptions at Mahoba, Debkund and Tripuri, in 1027 AD Vidyadharadeva planned an attack on the Chandel kingdom with the combined forces of Malwa and Tripuri. In the war, Vidyadharvarman defeated the Parmara king Bhoja of Malwa and the Kalachuri king Gangeydeva of Tripuri, captured them and put them in the prison of Kalinjar. Then Bhojdeva (Bhoj Paramara), along with the moon of Kalachuuri i.e. Ganga deva, worshiped this guru of war, i.e. Vidyadharavarman deva, filled with fear like a disciple, After singing praises of his greatness and pleading again and again that the king will remain under you, Vidyadharavarman took pity on Bhoja and Gangeyadeva and released them.[26][27][28][29] Subsequently, the kings of Parmar and Kalachuri dynasty remained feudal kings under the Chandela Empire, although from time to time they rebelled and became independent, But after a few days they were defeated by the royal Chandel army. After the death of Vidyadharavarman, the fame and power of the Chandel Empire started declining but it was re-established by his grandson Kirtivarman.[30][31] [32] An inscription of Gwalior Kachchhapaghata king Kirtiraja, who was vassal of Chandels, tell us 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 Emperor Vidyadharavarman in this campaign.[33][34] The Mahoba inscription of the Chandelas states that Bhoja and Kalachuri-Chandra, like scared pupils, worshipped Vidhyadhara, a master of warfare. [19] Kalachuri-Chandra (literally "Moon of the Kalachuris") is identified with the Kalachuri king Gangeya-deva[35][36]
According to Barhari inscription, around 1028 CE, Vidyadhara defeated the united forces of Paramara king Bhoja and kalachuri king Gangeya-deva.[37]
Cultural contributions[edit]
Vidyadharavarman commissioned the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho.[38] Vidhyadhara celebrated his success over Mahmud of Ghazni, Bhoja and other rulers by building the Kaṇḍāriyā Mahādeva Temple, dedicated to his Kuldeva (family deity) Nilkantha Shiva. Epigraphic inscriptions on a pilaster of the mandapa in the temple mentions the name of the builder of the temple as Virimda, which is interpreted as the pseudonym of Vidhyadharavarman.[7] Its construction is dated to the period from 1025 and 1050 AD.[39]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sullerey 2004, p. 25.
- ↑ Indian Archaeology: A Review. Archaeological Survey of India. 1975. p. 55.
- ↑ Tripathi, Rama Shankar; Tripathi, Rama S. (1989). History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 978-81-208-0404-3.
- ↑ Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Bishop's College Press. 1878.
- ↑ Annales du musée Guimet: bibliothèque de vulgarisation (in français). 1905.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dikshit 1976, p. 96.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Ring, Salkin & Boda 1994, p. 468.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Mitra 1977, p. 82.
- ↑ Balakrishna, Sandeep (28 November 2020). Invaders and Infidels (Book 1): From Sindh to Delhi: The 500-Year Journey of Islamic Invasions. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-93-90077-22-9.
- ↑ Dikshit 1976, pp. 71-72.
- ↑ Indian Archaeology: A Review. Archaeological Survey of India. 1975. p. 55.
- ↑ Education (1971- ), India Department of (1971). Report. Ministry of Education & Social Welfare, Departments of Education and Culture, Government of India.
- ↑ Tripathi, Rama Shankar; Tripathi, Rama S. (1989). History of Kanauj: To the Moslem Conquest. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 978-81-208-0404-3.
- ↑ Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Bishop's College Press. 1878.
- ↑ Annales du musée Guimet: bibliothèque de vulgarisation (in français). 1905.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, pp. 72-73.
- ↑ Dikshit 1976, p. 72.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, pp. 74-75.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Mitra 1977, p. 75.
- ↑ Mitra 1977, p. 78.
- ↑ Dikshit 1976, p. 97.
- ↑ Balakrishna, Sandeep (28 November 2020). Invaders and Infidels (Book 1): From Sindh to Delhi: The 500-Year Journey of Islamic Invasions. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-93-90077-22-9.
- ↑ Gopal, Dr Krishna (2003). Fairs and Festivals of India. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-212-0810-9.
- ↑ Chakraberty, Chandra (1944). The Racial History of India. Vijaya Krishna Brothers.
- ↑ Dikshit, R. K. (1976). The Candellas of Jejākabhukti. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-81-7017-046-4.
- ↑ Bose, Saikat K. (1 June 2015). Boot, Hooves and Wheels: And the Social Dynamics behind South Asian Warfare. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-84464-54-7.
- ↑ A Comprehensive History of India: pt. 1-2. [no special title. Orient Longmans. 1992. ISBN 978-81-7007-121-1.
- ↑ Ray, Hem Chandra (1973). The Dynastic History of Northern India (early Mediaeval Period). Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers.
- ↑ Choudhary, Gulab Chandra (1954). Political History of Northern India, from Jain Sources (c. 650 A.D. to 1300 A.D.) With a Foreword by Vasudeva Sarana Agrawala. Sohanlal Jaindharma Pracharak Samiti.
- ↑ Lakshmīkānta Mālavīya, Pradhī Mālavīya sfn.
- ↑ Vimala Candra Pāṇḍeya & 1962 sfn.
- ↑ Uttarī Bhārata kā itihāsa: History of northern India & 2007 sfn.
- ↑ नागोरी, एस एल (2007). प्राचीन भारत का वृहत् इतिहास: Guptottarakālīna Bhārata (in हिन्दी). पोइन्टर पब्लिशर्स. ISBN 978-81-7132-509-2.
- ↑ Pāṇḍeya, Vimala Candra (1962). Prācīna Bhārata kā itihāsa, 500 ī.-1200 ī. dakshiṇa sahita: vikrama, Jabbalapura tathā anya viśvavidyālayoṃ ke liye (in हिन्दी). Kedāra Nātha Rāma.
- ↑ Awasthi, A. B. L. (1969). प्राचीन भारत का इतिहास: राजपूत राजवंश (in हिन्दी). Kailāśa Prakāśana.
- ↑ Mālavīya, Lakshmīkānta; Mālavīya, Pradhī (1971). Uttarī Bhārata kā itihāsa: History of northern India (in हिन्दी). Prakāśana Kendra.
- ↑ Gvāliyara darśana (in हिन्दी). Gvāliyara Śodha Saṃsthāna, Jīvājī Viśvavidyālaya. 1980.
- ↑ Sullerey 2004, p. 26.
- ↑ Abram 2003, pp. 420–21.
Bibliography[edit]
- Abram, David (2003). Rough Guide to India. Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-84353-089-3.
- 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.
- Ring, Trudy; Salkin, Robert M.; Boda, Sharon La (1994). International Dictionary of Historic Places: Asia and Oceania. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-884964-04-6.
- 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.