Sinharaja
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Sinharaja (सिंहराज) (r.944-971 CE) was a ruler of Chauhan dynasty with capital at Sambhar. He was the first of the Chauhan dynasty, who adopted the title of maharajadhiraja and had declared himself independent from the Pratihara dynasty.
Variants of name
Early life
Most sources mention Simharaja as the successor of his father Vakpatiraja I. However, the Bijolia inscription places one Vindhyanṛpati (or Vindhyaraja) between Vakpati and Simharaja. Historian H. C. Ray theorized that Vindhyanṛpati was a part of Vakpati's name. But according to Dasharatha Sharma, Vindhyanṛpati was probably an elder brother of Simharaja and had a very short reign.[1]
History
Vakapatiraja I was succeeded by his son Singhraj (S.No.14 in Chart) :the first maharajadhiraja. He was the first of the Chahamana dynasty who adopted the title of maharajadhiraja. This also indicates that he had declared himself independent from the Pratihara dynasty. Harsha inscription indicates that Singhraj had defeated Tomara leader Salavana and had made many princes and samantas as his prisoner. Pratihara king had come to Singhraj for the release of the said provinces and samantas. Singhraj was a very generous and charitable man. He had donated several villages to the temple of Harshanath.
The overlord mentioned in the Harsha inscription as Raghukule bhuchakravarti (the emperor belonging to the Raghu family) can be identified with Paramabhattaraka-Maharajadhiraja-Parameshvara Vijayapaladeva of the Rajorgarh inscription (V. 1016), a weak Pratihara ruler incapable of controlling the vast territories of the empire of Kanauj. [2]
For Simharaja's reign we have the Thamvala inscription of 'V. 1013 (956 AD). Its transcript shows that Simharaja bore the title Maharajadhiraja. His father, Vakpati, had to remain content with the title of Maharaja, though he won 188 victories. Further, the inscription testifies to his mastery over the territory that included Merta and probably, also Pushkar. That Simharaja was a Saiva is known from the Harsha inscription of V. 1030 (973 A.D.). From this inscription, we further gather that he was a worshipper also of Aditya, i.e., the Sun.
Simharaja 's son, Vigraharaja II, is described in the Harsha inscription as "rescuing the, fortune of his family and the Goddess of Victory from the distress that had befallen them". [3] Simharaja's end therefore might have been rather tragic. Perhaps he ultimately succumbed to a strong combination of his numerous enemies among whom might perhaps be included also the incensed Pratiharas of Kannauj.
Military career
Simharaja was the first ruler of the family to assume the title Maharajadhiraja ("great king of kings"). This suggests that he became independent of the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the overlords of his ancestors.[4]
According to the Harsha inscription, Simharaja killed the Tomara chief Salavana (or Lavana), whose soldiers either fled the battlefield or were imprisoned. The prisoners were released only when the common overlord of these two rulers came to Simharaja and secured their release. The overlord, who is called Raghukule Bhuchakravarti ("Emperor from Raghu's family") in the inscription, was probably a weak Gurjara-Pratihara emperor. Although the identity of this emperor is not clear; he might have been Devapala or one of his successors, such as Vijayapala or Rajyapala.[5][6] Salavana probably belonged to the Tomara dynasty of Delhi; historian R. B. Singh identifies him with Tejapala, who has been mentioned as the contemporary Tomara king in a Kumaon-Garhwal manuscript.[7] He probably belonged to same family as Rudra, who had been killed by Simharaja's grandfather Chandana.[8]
Simharaja is also said to have defeated a Muslim general. The Prabandha Kosha names the defeated general as Heji-ud-Din, and states that the battle took place at Jethan (possibly modern Jethana). The Hammira Mahakavya calls him Hetim, and states that Simharaja captured four of his elephants after killing him. The identity of the defeated general is uncertain, but he might have been a subordinate of the Amir of Multan.[9]
The Hammira Mahakavya further claims that Simharaja defeated the kings of Gujrata, Lata, Karnataka, Chola and Anga. This is obviously a hyperbole, although Simharaja may have achieved some military successes against his neighbours.[10]
Personal life
The Prithviraja Vijaya suggests that like his father, Simharaja was a devout Shaivite, and commissioned a large temple dedicated to Shiva at Pushkara. He also extended the Harshadeva temple, and granted four villages for its maintenance: ]]Simhagoshtha]], Trailkalakaka, Ishanakupa, and Kansapallika.[11] The Kinsariya inscription describes him as naya-sutra-yuktah, which probably indicates that he was knowledgeable about logic (see Nyāya Sūtras).[12]
Simharaja succeeded by Vigraharaja II and Durlabharaja II
Simharaja was succeeded by his sons Vigraharaja II and Durlabharaja II in that order. He had two other sons, Chandraraja and Govindaraja III (not to be confused with the earlier Chahamana kings bearing same names).[13] The Harsha inscription states that Vigraharaja revived the fortunes of his distressed family. This indicates that Simharaja suffered a tragic defeat at the end of his life. His enemies might have included the Pratiharas.[14]
His donations
Harsha Inscription gives us following information about the villages gifted by Simharaja and his decendants to Harshanatha in V.S. 1030 (973 AD):
- L-33:Hail ! in the Samvat year 1030, in the month of Ashadha, the first division of the month, the 15th day, the deeds of conveyance, as they were severally received, are written in the following order.
- L-34: The great king, the king of kings, the blessed Sinharaja in the 12th day of the sun's mansion in the sign of Libra, attached [to this temple the village of] Sinhaprostha (Sinhasan (सिंहासन), near Piprali, Sikar), with its revenues and produce, which were his own.
- He likewise made over by deed of gift, as long as moon, sun, and ocean should endure, Ekalaka (Akwa ?), Krisānu-kūpa (? Kari + Sandau) and Urusara (Rewasa), in the district Patta-Badaka, together with the hamlet of
- L-35: Kashahapallika (Kasli) in the Koha district) , being four villages in all, to Sri Harsha-deva, the all-sufficient protector, seated on the hill whose sign is the moon—on a holy day, remembering the sacred resort of pilgrims Pushkara, near Ajmer] for the sake of the solemn celebration of festive journies thither, accompanied with ablutions, bodily unctions, burning of incense and lamps ; [that the same may be performed by the brahmans of Harsha without lose].
- L-36: Likewise, his brother, the blessed Vatsaraja, made over by deed of gift the swabhoga village of Karddamakhata (Kadma Ka Bas), whose revenues had been possessed by himself, for the purpose of obtaining victory.
- Likewise, two villages {Chhatradhara (Harsh) & Sankaranaka (Sakrai} were made over with a deed of gift, by the blessed Vigraharaja, as it is written above- [See verse-25].
- Likewise, the two sons of the blessed Sinharaja, i.e. the blessed Chandraraja and Govindaraja,
- L-37: did religiously convey Patakaddaya (Patauda ?) and Pallika villages from svabhoga district Pattabadaka , whose revenues were possessed by themselves, with a deed of gift entirely written with their own hand, even to the prescribed formal enumeration [of name, family, date, etc], having first taken the holy water; thus having made a record to all future times.
- The blessed Dhandhuka, though unconquered by the subjects of Sinharaja, did, nevertheless, by permission of his liege lord, make over the village of Mayūrapura (Mordunga), whose revenues were received by himself, in the district of Khadgakupa (Khandela Sikar).
- L-38: Likewise, the young prince, the blessed Jaya-Sri-raja, religiously bestowed on Harsha-deva, the village of Kolikupaka (Kolida), whose revenues were received by himself.
- Likewise, the whole of [the villages called] Shakambhari (Sambhar), Lavanakutaka (Kochhor), Prativinsha (Parasrampura), and Apaharshaka (Palasara), were bestowed in the same manner.
- L-39: Likewise, by a lady named Tāvika, one village, in a northern direction, was given through divine love to Sri-Harsha.
- Let us behold likewise, here, the Villages bestowed by holy-minded personages, the revenues of which are now enjoyed by the gods Pippalavalika (Piprali), Nimbatika (Neem Ki Dhani), Twantha (Tatanwa), Udarbhatika (Udaipurwati)...
Genealogy of Gundal
Sinharaja Chauhan's younger brother in 960 AD founded Nadol branch of Chauhans. His decendant was Asaraja (1110-1122 AD), his son Manak Rao was originator of Khichi branch who visited Jayal in 1111 AD.
References
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma (1959). Early Chauhān Dynasties. S. Chand / Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9780842606189.
- ↑ EI III, pp.266ff
- ↑ Harshagiri Inscription of 961 AD, Verse 21
- ↑ R. B. Singh (1964). History of the Chāhamānas. N. Kishore. OCLC 11038728.p.103
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 29.
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 101
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 102.
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 29
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 103.
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 102.
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 104.
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 105.
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 33.
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 29.