Naradeva

Author: Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Genealogy of Chauhan rulers Chahaman - Guvaka-II

Naradeva (नरदेव) (r. c. 709–721 CE) was a king belonging to the Chauhan dynasty (Shakambhari). He ruled parts of present-day Rajasthan in north-western India.

History

Naradeva (नरदेव) was Nagavanshi king of Nagaur. He was in third generation from the earliest ruler Vasudevanaga of the Sapadalaksha in Chauhan dynasty.

Dasharatha Sharma writes that .... Vasudeva, the earliest Chauhan ruler known to us, is connected with the Sambhar lake, and another very early ruler, Nripa or Naradeva, the successor of Samanta of Ahichchhatrapura, is described as reigning at Purnatalla or Puntala in the Jodhhpur Division of Rajasthan. In verses 11 and 12 of the Bijolia inscription, Vishnu in verse 11 equals Vasudeva.

The ruler Naradeva ruled at Purnatalla, most probably the village Puntala in the Jodhpur state. He is mentioned by the name Nripa in the Bijolia inscription and as Naradeva in Hammiramahakavya, the Sujanacharita, and the Prabandhakosha genealogy.

Dr. R.C. Bhandarkar and Mr. Akshaya Keerty Vyasa put one Puranatalla as successor of Samanta. But actually Purnatalla of the Bijolia inscription, wherein alone the name is mentioned, as the name of a person but of a locality where Nripa or Naradeva flourished. (V.12:Purntalle Nripastatah) The well known Jaina scholar Hemachandra belonged to Purnatalla-gachchha, i.e. branch which had its origin at Purnatalla or Puntalla in Jodhpur state. The real succession of the next four rulers after Naradeva, who are no more than mere names to us, can be tabulated as follows: 4. Jayaraja, son of Samanta > 5. Vigrharaja I > 6. Chandraraja I > 7. Gopendraraja or Gopendraka

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Naradeva has been mentioned as the successor of Samantaraja in Prabandha Kosha. The Purtana Prabandha Sangraha names him as the successor of Samantaraja's predecessor Vasudeva. Naradeva also finds a mention in other texts, such as the Hammira Mahakavya and the Surjana-Charita. The Prithviraja Vijaya does not mention him, presumably because his reign was short and insignificant.

The Bijolia rock inscription names Nṛpa ("ruler") Purnatalla as the son and successor of Samantaraja. Some scholars, such as D. R. Bhandarkar, interpreted Purnatalla as another name of Naradeva. Others, such as Dasharatha Sharma and G. H. Ojha interpreted Purnatalla as the name of the locality where Naradeva ruled. According to J. N. Asopa, this locality can be identified with either Pundlota or Pundla, both near Merta.

Naradeva was succeeded by his brother Ajayaraja I.

इतिहास

संत श्री कान्हाराम ने लिखा है कि.... [पृष्ठ-77]: चौथी पाँचवीं शताब्दी के आस-पास अनंत गौचर (उत्तर पश्चिम राजस्थान, पंजाब, कश्मीर तक) में प्राचीन नागवंशी क्षत्रिय अनंतनाग का शासन था। इसी नागवंशी के वंशज चौहान कहलाए। अहिछत्रपुर (नागौर) इनकी राजधानी थी। आज जहां नागौर का किला है वहाँ इन्हीं नागों द्वारा सर्वप्रथम चौथी सदी में धूलकोट के रूप में दुर्ग का निर्माण किया गया था। इसका नाम रखा नागदुर्ग। नागदुर्ग ही बाद में अपभ्रंश होकर नागौर कहलाया।

551 ई. के आस-पास वासुदेव नाग यहाँ का शासक था। इस वंश का उदीयमान शासक सातवीं शताब्दी में नरदेव हुआ। यह नागवंशी शासक मूलतः शिव भक्त थे। आठवीं शताब्दी में ये चौहान कहलाए। नरदेव के बाद विग्रहराज द्वितीय ने 997 ई. में मुस्लिम आक्रमणकारी सुबुक्तगीन को को धूल चटाई। बाद में दुर्लभराज तृतीय उसके बाद विग्रहराज तृतीय तथा बाद में पृथ्वीराज प्रथम हुये। इन्हीं शासकों को चौहान जत्थे का नेतृत्व मिला। इस समय ये प्रतिहरों के सहायक थे। 738 ई. में इनहोने प्रतिहरों के साथ मिलकर राजस्थान की लड़ाई लड़ी थी।

References

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