Bhoja Paramara and His Times (PDF)

BHOJA PARAMARA AND HIS TIMES  bhoja paramara AND HIS TIMES Dr. MAHESH SINGH B. D. College Lalganj, (Rae Bareilly) BHARATIYA VIDY^MAprSpAN ARAnASI DELHI (INDIA)  :...

BHOJA PARAMARA AND HIS TIMES  bhoja paramara AND HIS TIMES Dr. MAHESH SINGH B. D. College Lalganj, (Rae Bareilly) BHARATIYA VIDY^MAprSpAN ARAnASI DELHI (INDIA)  : Published by BHARATIYA VIDYA PRAKASHAN 1. I.U.B. Jawahar Nagar, Bungalow Road, Delhi-110007 (H. Office) 2, P. Box 1 108. Kachauri Gali, Var4nasi-22J001 OF JODHPUR LIBRAR' UNIVERSITY s.i-11-gs -- Apiil 1984 Price : 150.00 (Rupees One^hundred fifty) pv ss Primed by : Anin Composing Agency, 0-102, New Seelarapur Delhi-n0053  DEDICATION To the pious memory of my mother Smt. Sudevi and Father Sri Raghu Raj Singh  FOREWORD place 6f pride in the political The region of Malwa occupies a The kingdom of Avanti (ancient and cultural history of India. among the major kingdoms name of Malwa) was counted with Ujjayini as its capital. The Vcdic-puranic {mabnjanapadas) to the supre- and the Buddhist and Jalna works refer traditions during the time of the macy of Chanda Pradyota of Avanti Buddha. explorations conducted The archaeological excavations and and Maheshwar, Navadatoli. Kayatha, Nagda, Ujjain at sites likd lo light the evidence of rich material Mandsaur have brought Malwa during the proto historic and the early culture of western historical periods. western counterpart, the eastern Malwa also had a Like its glorious past. Field work conducted at Eran, Vidisha, Tumain fruitful in revealing multi- and several other sites has been very land. faced history of this wonderful The Paramaras started their Malwa in the rule in western Gradually the entire Malwa middle of the tenth century A.D. and Dcccan came under their and parts of Rajasthah, Gujarat The towns of Ujjain, Dhara, Dasapura, VidiSa, Bhojpur, sway. Gyaraspur, Udaypur, On, Onkar-Mandhata, Chandriivatj and the rule of the Paramaras. several others developed during The region rose lo great heights in the reigns of Munja and Bhoja. The latter was a versatile genius. His manifold achieve- ments as conqueror, administrator, scholar and writer made Malwa rise to its full glory. Some of the later rulers of the dynasty continued the traditions of Munja and Bhoja. The period of Bhoja was an age of artistic upsurge. Not 3ilpasastras give an only do the Agamas, the Tantras and the indication to this upsurge, but also the numerous extant monu- ments and sculptural remains testify to the extensive growth of fine arts during his- time. The Bhumija style of temple-architecture gained ground during the Paramara rule. Quite a large number of the extant temples. in Malvva, Gujarat and Bajastban can be referred to in this connection. The last example can be seen in the Udayesvara temple at Udaipur which incorporates all the typical features of a Bhumija temple of the t'agara style. Most of the Paramara temples are of the Panchayatana type. The contemporary inscriptions furnish some interesting names of Siva and Devi in whose honour temples were set-up by kings, merchants and other people. For Siva-Mahadeva, we get the names Kedara, Ramesvara, Somanatha, Supdira, Kala, Rudra, DhaneSvara, Amaresvara, Udayesvara, Ballalesvara, Samidhes- vara, Ekalladeva, etc. Similarly, for goddesses, the Inscriptions give the names of Bhittesvari, Charchikadevi, VagdevI, Chamunda etc. Quite a large number of the Brahmanical deities carved during the Paramara period are still preserved in the temples and elsewhere. Some are preserved in the museums at Indore, Dhara, Ujjain, Bhopal and Gwalior. Both from the point of view of aesthetic excellence and the iconographic details, they are worth study side by side with their iconic texts given in the contemporary Silpa texts. In the Udayesvara temple the two sculptures representing Parvati and Sarasvati are exquisitely carved. They very well tally with the description of Sridevi given by Bhoja. Numerous other examples of Siva (in various forms), Visnu, Surya, Gapesa, Devi and the Tlrthankaras can be cited. There are remarkabl : depictions of Yaksas, YaksTs and Sura-Sundarls at Hinglajgarh, Nemawar, Jhalarapatan, Chittor, Vidisha, Badoh-Patharl, Ujjain, Mandsaur and several other sites. Recent explorations at Hinglajgarh in the Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh have brought to light more than 6ve hundred stone sculptures of the Paramara period. Some of them are extremely important for the study of Indian art-history. In the present work Dr. Mahesh Singh has utilized the relevant literary and archaeological evidence. He has tried to interpret several knotty problems pertaining to the history of Bhoja’s time. I am glad that his work is being published now for the use of scholars interested in the history of the period. ( K. D. BAJPAI ) Sagar Holikotsava, the 9th March, 1982.  — PREFACE The importance of the political and cultural history of the time of the Pa;amara ruler Bhoja can hardly be over emphasised. An attempt has been made in the following pages to present a comprehensive account of the period associated with other illustri- ous rulers of ancient India. This study has been divided into three sections ; (i) The political system, (ii) The Administrative system. (iii) The Cultural history. Part I contains four chapters (i) the Ancestors of Bhoja, (ii> the controversy about his succession, (iii) the life sketch of Bhoja and his political achievements, I have consulted the original cpi- graphical and literary sources bearing on the history of the period. Part with the administrative system of Bhoja. To give II deals a clear picture of this aspect cn phasis has been placed in the contemporary cpigraphic and literary sources, including the works compsed by Bhoja himself. For a correct appraisal of the administration of Bhoja a compa- rative study of the administrative machinery adopted by some contem jjorary dynasties such as the Kalachuri, the Chandclla, the Chahaman and the Rastrakuta has been made. Part III deals with the cultural history of the time. It includes the social, religious and economic conditions and also the develop- ments in the field of architecture and arts during the period. Here again the literary contributions of Bhoja have been thoroughly exploited. Epigraphic and literary sources have primarily been relied upon and an effort has been made show how far the literary to evidence is confirmed by the evidence obtained from the inscrip- tions, coins and architectural and sculptural remains of the period. This is attempt to present a comprehensive picture of the first the cultural history of the times of Bhoja.  1 express my sincere gratitude to Professor K-D. Bajpai whose valuable guidance has enabled me to complete the present work. I owe my deep indebtedness to my revered father Sri Raghuraj Singh, who althrough inspired me to work round the clock. Thanks are due to my elder brothers Sarvasri Jaganath Singh, Balbhadra Singh and Swayambar Singh and my younger brother Sri Ran Bahadur Singh and my nephew Sri Bajrang Singh. My friend, Sri Krishna Kumar Trivedi, Sri R.K. Paul and Brijendra Nath Bajpai deserve my thankfulness for their commendable help in preparing the Index and contents. In conclusion, I would like to offer my hearty thanks to the Educational Academy, Dehradun for undertaking the type- work. Lastly, I have to thank Shri Kishore Chand Jain of Bharatiya Vadya Prakashan, Delhi and Varanasi for his courtesy to publish this book. B. D. College, MAHESH SINGH Lalganj (RBL) March 28, 1984  INTRODUCTION The present work embraces all the aspects of political and cultural history of the time of Bhoja, the Paramara ruler of the first half of the eleventh century A.D.. On the political history of this period, works by eminent scholars arc available in the several market Mention may be made of Dr. D.C. Ganguly, History of of the Paramara dynasty; Prof. H C. Ray, History of Northern India; Prof. C.V. Vaidya, History of Hindu Mediaeval India: Prof. P.T.S. Ayyangcr, Bhojraja; B.N. Reu, Raja Bhoja and K.M. Munshi, Glory that was Gurjardesa. Besides, some account on the subject is preserved in works such as struggle for Empire; Imperial Kanauj; History of Kanauj; The History of Dekkan; Col. Tod’s Annals of Rajasthana and Elliot’s History of India. The works of other scholars History of the Solankis; the c.g. the Cholas; the Etirly History of the Chauhana-dynasty and the History of the Chandclla dynasty also throw sufficient light on the Comparative history of tlie time. Several points pertaining to the political history of this period still bristle with controversies. These include his parentage, succe- ssion of Bhoja; the date of his succession; the story ofBIioja’s persecution; his war against the Muslims; his death in consequence of the joint attack of Bhima, the ChSlukya king of Gujrat and the Kalachuri King Karpa. The cultural history of the period, not adequately presented by the previous scholars has been given here in detail. The per- sonal contribution of Bhoja to Indian literature and art has been duly emphasised. His works, such as the Yuktikalpataru; the Samarangapa Siitradhara; the Rajamartapda and the Tattvapra- kasa throw sufficient light on Indian life and thought. Apart from Bhoja’s own writings, several earlier contemporary and later works such as Desinaraamala; Yasastilaka-Champu; Sukranitisara; Nava- sahasahkacharita; Rasamala; Rajatarahgipl: Vikramankadevacha- rita: Manasollasa; PrabandhachihtamapI and Bhojaprabandha are quite valuable for the purpose. The accounts of AlberunI, the Arab traveller of the time, furnish interalia, sufficient material concerning political and the cultural history of the period.  As regards the social and religious conditions, besides the works of Bhoja and the epigraphic records of the time and the later period, Alberuni’s ‘India’ is of great help. It provides us with the details about the society of the period viz. the social orga- nisation; caste-system with its complete functioning; the system of marriage and education sjstem etc. Works like Sukranitisara and Manasollasa offer useful material in this regard. A detailed description of the economic-condition of the period is found in the Yuktikalpataru of Bhoja. In addition to other topics it describes in detail the methods of constructing the navi- gating vessels, ships and boats of various types. Various kinds of raw-materials, metals and products with their lindspots are descri- bed in the same book. The other details of the economic condition of this period are found in Alberuni’s ‘India’. Besides, the contem- porary epigraphic records also provide us with the material on the subject. Some relevant portions of the Sukranltisara have been utilized for the purpose. Several modern works like Indian ship- ping, Bharatiya-Vyapara-ka-Itihasa (Hindi), The Socio-Economic condition of northern India during the 11th and 1 2th centuries and state and government in Ancient India, by R.K. Mookerjee, K D. Bajpai, B P. Mazumdar and A.S. Altekar respectively, throw much light on the subject. In regard to the navigation, import and export of various goods and raw-materials with their producing localities and commercial relations of the then India with other countries, several stories from Soma-deva’s Kathasaritasagara have also been quoted. Among all the Rajput dynasties which arose from the collapse of Pratiharas, Paramaras for sometime, continued to be the most powerful rulers of the northern and central India This dynasty came to importance in the time of Vakpati Munja and reached its zenith during the time of Bhoja. Bhoja was not only the greatest ruler of the Paramara dynasty but he can be counted among the few most powerful monarchs of the age His acivities were not confined to the political field but embraced almost all the spheres. Culturally his era made a remark- able advancement in Indian History. He gave a new direetion to the poetic flow, initiated new concepts to the political thought, laid down different new methods for the construction of machines' and the most important among all of his contributions was his discovery of constructing navigating vessels such as boats and ships. The inclusion of these inventions to the Indian mechanism would have certainly facilitated the naval warfare and the commerce of the country.  ABBREVIATIONS Amar—Amarakosa. A I. Alberuni’s India in 2 vols. Ed by Suchau. A.S I.W. Archaeological Survey of India, Western Circle. A.S.R. Archaeological Survey of India, Annual Reports, New Scries. A.S.S.I. Archaeological Survey of India, Annual Reports, A. S.C. Archaeological Survey of India by Sir.A. Cunningham. Arch. Surv. Rep. Archaeological Survey Report. B. I. Bengal Inscriptions. B.G. Bombay Gazetteer. B.K. Book. B.I.S.M.J. Journal of the Bhiirat-Ilihasa Sarasodhaka Mandala. Poona. B.O.R.I. Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona. B.S.S. Bombay Sanskrit and Prakrit Series, Bombay and Poona. B.S.O.S. Bulletin of the School of Oriental (and African) Studies, London. Bh List. A list of Inscriptions of Northern India, by D.R. Bhandarkar, Appendix to E.I. XIX-XXII. B. O.S. Bombay Oriental Scries. C C. Catalogus Catalogorura. C. P. Copper-Plate. C. I.I. Corpus-Inscriptionum Indicarum. D. H.NjI. Dynastic History of Northern India. D.V. Dvyasraya-Kavya. D. H.I. Development of Hindu Iconography. E. I. Epigraphia-lndia. E.C, Epigraphia-Carnatica. E.H.I. Early History of India, Elliot; History of India; Elements of Hindu Iconography. G. G. Glory that was Gurjaradei^a. H. I.E.D, History of India by H.M. Elliot and J Dowson. H.I.E A. J. Fergussou, History of India and Eastern Architecture. H.B.D. History of Bengal, University of Dacca, 1 943,. (xiv) H.P. History of the Paramara Dynasty H. O.S. Harvard Oriental Series. I H.Q. Indian Historical Quarterly. LA. Indian Antiquary. I. B. Inscriptions of Bengal. Imp. Gaz. of India. Imperial Gazetteer of India. J. BORS — Journal of Bihar and Orissa Research Society. J. Am.O S. Journal of the American Oriental Society. J.B.B.R.A.S. Journal of the Bombay branch of Royal Asiatic Society. J.R.A.S B./J A.S.B. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal. J. R.A.S. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Great Britain. K. H.D.S. Kane, History of Dharma Sastra. K.Z.A. Kitab Zain-ul-Akbar of Abu-Sail-Abdul Hay b.ad. Dahhak. b. Muhammad. M.A.S.I. Memoirs of Archeological Survey of India. Nav. Navasahasanka-Charita. P.C. Prabhandha-Chintamani. P&T.O.C. Proceedings and Transactions of First Oriental Con- ference. Proc. of A.S.B. Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. P.V. Prthvirajavijaya. R. V. Rgveda. R.T. Rajatarangipi. S. S. Samarangana-Sutradhara. S.I.I. South Indian Inscription. T. R A.S. Transactions of Royal Asiatic Society. Vaij. Vaijayanti. Vikr. Vikramahkadeva-Charita. WZKM. Wiener Zeitschrift furdie Kudde des Morgenlandes Vienna Oriental Journal.  CONTENTS Page Foreword 7 Preface 9 Introduction H Abbreviations 13 part I Chapter I Ancestors oj Bhoja... I Chapter II Controversy about the Succession of Bhoja... 15 Chapter III Life Sketch of Bhoja... 21 Chapter IV Political Achievements of Bhoja... 36 War with the Chalukyas, War with Lata, War with Kohkana, War with the Chalu- kyas of Kalyap, War with Indrarath, Victory over Muslims, War with the Kala- churi, Gangeyadeva of Tripuri, War with the Chandcllas of Jejakbhukti, War with the Kachchapaghatas of Dubkund and Gwalior, Conquest of Kanauj, War with Chamba Prince, War with the Chahama- nas of ^akambhari and Nadol, War with Chalukya Bluma I. PART II Chapter V Administration of Bhoja... 9i Division of Empire, Administrative System, Yuvarajas, Central Government : King, Queen, The court. Ministry, Functions, Strength of Ministry,- Purohita, Pradhan or Premier, Pratinidhi, Pandit, War Mini- ster, Amatya, Foreign Minister, Treasurer, Central Secretariat Judiciary. Provincial Administration District, Division and town Government, Military Administration, Female Relatives and Weapons, War slaves of kings. Forts, State Revenue and Expenditure, Miscell- aneous taxes.  PART III Chapter VI Religious Condition Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Vaishnavism, Saivism, Temple-Building, Idol-worship, Popular Deities, Pilgrimage, Devadasis. Chapter VII Social Condition Four Varnas, untouchability, Kayasthas, The system of Marriage, Dowry system. Family System, General Position of Women, Law of Inheritance, Parda- System, Position of Widow, The custom of Sati, Prostitutes, Intercaste dining. Dresses and Toilet, Ornaments, Popular and Royal Amusements, Some Orthodox beliefs. Suicide, Standard of living, General estimate of character. Chapter VIII Economic condition Land and Agriculture, Markets and weights. Mines and Metals, Industries and their organisation, Metallurgy, Means of Transport, Trade and Commerce, Foreign Trade and Maritime Activities, Exports, Imports, Currency. Chapter IX (a) Literatureand Learning Kavya, Mahakavya, Drama, Prose, Romances, and Champus, Lexicography, Grammar, Medicine, Mathematics and Astronomy, Dharraaiastra and Politics, Philosophy, Primary Education, Agrahara, Course of study. Writing Materials, Alpha- bets, contribution of Bhoja, to Literature and Learning, Prominent Poets. (6) Architecture d O I p C-i *4-*. d 4J — cd Cl' — :i 'S.t cS t P icd *C/3 *c a 1— (u j> (i> P > cd TD t ? > > r— « oo t*-i d O rSP. O “ fi S O s pS:S W) 2 S.52 M 4.^* 'Or^ PM t-i eS.ii, d d' - Cd »-i w) p, V-- -S « »- iJ? ^ o C ^ :S ^ —“ d % S.2 S -S d _ t: cj ^'55 55. 2; 2 "“-cj ”“_§ ' ? +j * ’-' CM 1 § 5 ^ it £.& 'O « a D. g p rt > {^ > > > CO CO 4 Bhoja Paramara and his Times It appears that the Udaipur-Prasasti alone presents an un- broken line of kings from Upendra to Udayaditya. Even the Navasahasahkacarita, whieh is more explicit than the inscrip- tions, omits two names after Upendra. It, moreover, contains a general statement that “other kings” reigned between Upendra and Vakpati P'*. The use of the plural number jiaturally leads to the suggestion, that they were atlcast three in number. This seems now impossible, as, according to the Udaipur-Prasasti, the first four kings after Paramara followed each other in the direct line of descent. In cons'dering some other historical statements of the Pra- sasti, it be advisable to add to them the information contain- will ed in the Navasahasankacarita, in the Jaina-Prabandhas and in other accessible inscriptions. The legend regarding the origin of the Paramaras given here, is the same as found in the Navasahasankacarita and the Nagpur-Prasasti. Buhler opines that a great portion of the following remarks is a revised reproduction of part VI of the German paper Uber das Navasahasahkacarita. When in ancient times great Brahmana-Vasisfha was living on Mt. Abu, Visvami- tra forcibly abducted his famous cow. Vasistha then created out of the firepit a hero who slew the enemies and brought the cow back. In reward of this deed the sage gave him the name Paramara, the slayer of foes, and blessed him that he should become a king. The myth, which figures also in the" stories of the bards, probably arose on Mt. Abu, where Paramara princes for a long time held the fort of Achalgaih while their capital was at “Candravati” a tew miles South-East of the mountain. Somesvara's Prasasti in Tcjahpala’s Temple’® at Dibvara enumerates an older line of Paramara princes viz. Dhumaraja, Dhandhuka and Dhravabhata, regarding whom nothing Ts known. The prasasti also gives a series of later kings, i!e. Ramadeva, Yasodhavala, Dharavarsa, Prahladana, Somasiihiia and Krsnaraja, who belonged to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries A.D. and were vassals of the Chalukyas of Anahilavad. 14. Sarga XI, p.,80. 15. Kirtikatimudl, pp. 4-6 and 14-15.  Ancestors of Bhoja 5 As Paramaras of Malwa believed in the origin of their the heroes eponymous from the fire-pit at Abu, it seems that they came from the North-West and formed a branch of the rulers of Acalagadha..Now we shall discuss the question as to the first historical person and the real founder of the Paramara-dynasty. Tn the Udaipur-Prasasti, Upendra is mentioned as the first historical-king of the dynasty. In support of this statement the prasasti says that he gained the high honour of ‘knighthood’ or ‘the 'honour of exalted knighthood’ by his bravery.^® It may, therefore, be inferred that the author of the Prasasti considered him to be the conqueror of Malwa and the founder of its Para- mara dynasty. Although Padmagupta is not clear on this point, he undoubtedly refers to Upendra as the first king of the dynasty. He does agree with the Udaipur-prasasti in praising Upendra for 'the performance of numerous vedic sacrifices, on the occasion of which he is said to have adorned the earth with golden sacrificial posts While the Udaipur-prasasti and the Navasahasankacarita ^ are unanimous in referring to Upendra as the first historical ruler' and the founder of the dynasty, the land-grants of the 'family raise some difficulty. They often trace the genealogy to one Krsoaraja, But the identification of these two princes is generally accepted. Dr. F. E. Hall and Sir Cunningham have identified Upendra with Krsnaraja of the land-grants. According to them the two names are synonymous, and if the new list is complete, there is no room for a Krsnaraja besides an Upen'dra.i® Buhler also suggests that the latter was the poeti- cal form of the name, and Krsna or its prakrit equivalent was that used in every day Iife^®«. But Dikshit and Diskalkar con- tradict the above view and suggest that Krsnaraja was another 16. Udaipur prasasti, E.l. I, p. 233, V-7. (nr) a: ii 7i i 17. Navasahasankacarita, Sarga, XI, pp. 76-79. 18. Jour. As. Soc Bengal. Vol. XXXI, p. 117, 18. (a) E.L Vol: I, p. 224. 6 Blioja Paramara and his Times name of Vakpali for in Ihe landgrants, Vairisiihha 11, the fifth ruler, is said to have meditated on Krsna’s feet. Buhler does not agree with this identification. According to him the phrase “tatpadanudhyata” does not always necessarily imply immediate descent^". For, though usually it refers to an immediate predecessor, there are cases where it is used to' a remoter king^i. For example, some of the Calukya land-grants^^ assert that Durlabha meditated on the feet of Camunda, though 'Vallabha was Durlabha’s immediate predecessor. Therefore, this need not cause any difficulty. The Flarsola-plates®^, the earliest records of the Paramara dynasty so far discovered, hardly accept the identification of Upendra with Krsnaraja. These plates refer to Bappairaja as the first name in the Paramara genealogy. H.C Ray identifies this Bappairaja with VSkpati I of other records^*. BarnetF' also suggests that Bappal is the regular prakrit equivalent of Vakpati, but the syllable, ‘pa’ after it is inexplicable, and seems to be a mistake, perhaps for ‘ka’. In this way, Dr. Barnett too ' has identified Bappairaja with Vakpatiraja. But Dikshit and Diskalkar do not agree with this identification. In their opinion Vakpatiraja must be identified with Krsnaraja, who is placed immediately before Vairisiiiiha with the epithet ‘Padanudhyata’ in the grants of 20. Vakpati 11.““' Now if we accept the identification of Vakpati with Krsna and take Vakpati identical.with Bappairaja as has been suggested by Dr. Barnett and Prof. Ray, we come to the conclusion that Bappairaja and Krsnaraja were the two names of the same person. Again, if we take the statement of the land-grants of the family as correct, where Krsnaraja was first ruler of the family, we naturally come to the 19. El. Vol. XI, p. 239. ' El. Vol. I, p. 226. 21. Ibid. 22. /./I., VI, pp. 184-194. 23. £./. XI, pp. 64-72. 24. DHN/, II, p. 843. 25. £./., XIX, p. 239. 26. E.f. Vol. XIX, p. 239.  Ancestors of phoja 7 « » » ‘ con,clusIon that Bappairaja-Krsnaraja was the first man and the ,real' founder of the.family. But this gains no historicity when ,we accept the statement of Dr. Buliler that the phrase “tatpada- ‘hudtiyata” does not necessarily indicate that the two kings. iinmeciiately followed each other and may be used even it to a y.. I'reipote^j king. In this way Bappai raja may be identical with..fjVakpatirpja b,ut not with the ruler of the family. first This festimony is also attested to by the Udaipur-prasasti-’ which tells ;ijj£irthat,.yairisiihha composed his own eulogy and stated that from r.him (Vairisiihha) sprang,. i7/i«tno«s Slyaka a prince ((standing) uin-the-first rank of conquerors and from him (Slj^aka) sprang the illustrious Vakpati. Here too, V akpati stands third in sequence ' land not the and he came after Vairisiiiiha I. Dr Buhler”® first, ‘ fhas‘*truly remarked that Vakpati was definitely a more substantial.' figure 'than his two predecessors Thus, he regards him as the , "real founder of the importance of the family, for in his opinion, ' Vakpati was probably the first Rastrakuta governor of Lates- ' 'vatamandala aft6r the extinction of the local feudatory family in the reign of Indra’s predecessor Krishna II (0888-912 A-D) In way, the theory of identifying Bappairaja wiih Vakpati gains tikis ground and the theory that he v/as the first ruler and the real founder of the family loses its importance. If we can attach any importance to the Harsola-plates we may credit Bappairaja ' (Vakpati) with being the real founder of the importance of the " family and not as the first king or the founder of the dynasty. '/Moreover, there is not even a single evidence other than the Hatsdla plates to confirm this testimony. we shall now discuss the views put forth by some scholars I ^1 t ^ I.with regard to tJpendra-Krsna as the real founder and the first " ruler of dynasty. C.V. Vaidya^” does not take Upendra as the ^ first ruler of the family. According to him, the Udaipur-prasasti alone mentions Upendra' as the first king, and puts Vairisiriiha I, Slyaka I and Vakpati Tbefore Vairisiihha II. This is simply the 27..- 35. 2^' -'-s ^^.//i,’p. 225,. 29. History of Medieval Hindu India, Vol. II, Chapter VI, p.. 118, 8 Blioja Paramara and'his Times reduplication of names and is intended probably to carry back the genealogy to an anterior period. Then again the'Nagpiir- prasasti begins with Vairisiihlia only and omits all' the four kings. Thirdly, it is not possible to believe that the Paramaras' could have founded an independent kingdom during the reign of Naga- bhatta II, the Gurjara-Pratlhara king who ruled about 8C0-825 A.D., and who is expressly stated to have reduced Malwa to sub- jection. Lastly, if we omit these three or four kings viz. Yairisi- mha I, STyaka I and Vakpati I, we shall be historically sound. This would make the epithet Krspa-padanudhyata as applied'.to Vairisimha in Vakpati’s grants not far-fetched. These grants form an official document and should, in Vaidya’s view; he i strictly followed instead of the Udaipur-praSasti of a much later date. Vaidya takes Krsnaraja as the first king of the line, who probably distinguished himself first as a subordinate chief, and then as an independent sovereign in about 910 A.D.2’(“). Krsparaja took advantage of the then declining power of the Imperial Pratiharas owing to the growing might of an ambitious Rastrakufa King Govinda III. C.V. Vaidya thus accepts Krisna- raja as the first ruler of the family and rejects Upendra. But as has already been seen Upendra and Krsna were the names of the same person. Vaidya’s assertion thus does not stand and loses its weight. Upendra emerges as the first ruler of the family. We may Upendra-Krsua was the first historical safely conclude that ruler and the real founder of the Paramara family. V.A. Smith and Ray agree with this view. Smith accepts that a dynasty was founded by a chief named Upendra- Krsnaraja, early in the 19th century when so many ruling families attract notice for the first time and it Upendra appears to have come lasted for centuries. from Chandravati, and Achalagarh, near Mt. Abu, where his clan had settled for a long time.’" Prof. Ray takes Upendra and and Krsnaraja as one and the same and in his genealogical table (given below) Upendra has been mentioned as Upendraraja alias Krsnaraja.’* 29. (a) History of Medieval Hindu India, Vol. II, Chapter VI, p.‘ 1 18. 30. The Early History of India {fourth Edition) Chapt. Vll, p.' 410. 31. DHNI, II. pp. 930-32. 'Ancestors of 'Bhoja Upendraraja alias Krsnaraja 1. Vairisirilha I 1 Slyaka I I. Vakpati I alias Bappairaja Vairisithha II, alias VairataSvamin. I > -. Harsa Siyaka II (Har§a-Simha) alias (C. ^48-74 A.D.)=Vadjadevi Vakpati Utpalaraja II alias Munja 974-95 (c A.D.) AmoEhavarsa, Prthvl-Vallabha and SrTvallabha=ilfr'!^^/^i’