Vakpatiraja I
| Author: Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Vakpatiraja I (वाक्पतिराज प्रथम) (r. c. 917–944 CE), also known as Vappayaraja, was a king belonging to the Chauhan dynasty (Shakambhari). He ruled the Sapadalaksha country, which included parts of present-day Rajasthan in north-western India. He appears to have made an attempt to throw off the Gurjara-Pratihara overlordship, and was the first Chahamana king to assume the title Maharaja.
Variants
Early life
Vakpati was the son and successor of the Chahamana king Chandanaraja (alias Guvaka II) and queen Rudrani.[1] His aliases include Vappayaraja and Manika Rai.[2]
Reign
Vakpati's predecessors were feudatories of the Gurjara-Pratiharas, who had been weakened by Rashtrakuta invasions from the south. The Prithviraja Vijaya claims that Vakpati achieved 188 military victories. This may be an exaggeration, but it is possible that Vakpatiraja I participated in a large number of battles in the chaotic conditions resulting from Pratihara-Rashtrakuta conflict.[3]
The Rashtrakuta invasion probably weakened the Pratiharas' hold on vassals like Vakpatiraja I.[4] According to the Harsha stone inscription, he assumed the title Maharaja.[5] He was the first Chahamana king to do so, and this probably indicates that he tried to gain independence from the Pratiharas.[6]
After the Rashtrakutas left, the Pratiharas probably tried to re-assert their authority. The Harsha inscription states that a tantrapala (provincial governor) attacked the Ananta region in the Chahamana territory. The tantrapala was very haughty because of the authority he held from his overlord, but his elephant force was defeated by Vakpatiraja I's cavalry. He might have been a general sent by the Pratihara emperor Mahipala I to subdue Vakpatiraja I.[7] According to Dasharatha Sharma, his name was Kshamapala.[8] R. B. Singh identifies him with Madhava, a Tomara feudatory of Mahipala.[9]
The Harsh inscription confirms that Harsha Nagari was central place for the later Chauhan rulers. Verse 16 reveals that a representative of Pratiharas named Tantrapala came to see Vakpati, who was present at Anantagochar. Dasharatha Sharma considers Anantagochara as the area around Harshagiri. The successor of Guvaka II was Chandana who was very illustrious. He killed a Tomar Raja named Rudrena. (verse-14). Chandana's son was Vakpatiraja, who was most illustrious among earlier Chauhan rulers, who defeated Tantrapala. His son was Lakshamana who founded Nadol branch of Chahans in Sirohi. [10] The attack of tantrapala Kshmapala on Vakapatiraja I, mentioned in Harsha Inscription reveals that proud of the authority he held from his master, this tantrpala reached Ananta, the homeland of the Chauhans. He was fully confident of success but Vakpati with his fine cavalry proved more than a match for the elephant force of his adversary who, after trying fruitlessly to overtake him, had to retire from the field thoroughly humiliated and dejected. This victory over the Pratihara arms must have greatly increased the prestige of the Chauhana ruler and strengthened over his new conquests. [11]
Legacy
Vakpati had at least three sons including Simharaja, Lakshmana and Vatsaraja. He was succeeded by Simharaja on the Shakambhari throne, while Lakshmana established another branch of the dynasty at Naddula (Nadol). Vatsaraja is known as the donor of Kardamakakhata village to the Harshanatha temple.[12] The Bijolia inscription places one Vindhyanṛpati (or Vindhyaraja) between Vakpati and Simharaja. According to historian Dasharatha Sharma, Vindhyanṛpati was probably an elder brother of Simharaja and had a very short reign.[13] However, R. B. Singh theorized that it was a title of Vakpati, who probably acquired it by conquering the Vindhyavati region (around modern Bijolia).[14]
Vakpati appears to have been a Shaivite. The Prithviraja Vijaya states that he built a temple dedicated to Vomkesha (Shiva) at Pushkar.[15]
वाक्पतिराज प्रथम
वाक्पतिराज प्रथम (राज्यकाल 917 – 944 ई), शाकम्भरी चहमान राजवंश का राजा था। उसने सपदलक्ष पर शासन किया जिसके अन्तर्गत वर्तमान समय के राजस्थान और उत्तरी-पश्चिमी भारत आते हैं।
References
- ↑ R. B. Singh (1964). History of the Chāhamānas. N. Kishore. OCLC 11038728.p.98
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 56.
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma (1959). Early Chauhān Dynasties. S. Chand / Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9780842606189.
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 27.
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 98.
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 100.
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 27
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 27
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 99.
- ↑ रतन लाल मिश्र:शेखावाटी का नवीन इतिहास, मंडावा, १९९८, पृ.38
- ↑ Harshagiri Inscription of 961 AD, Verse-16
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 28.
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, pp. 28–29.
- ↑ R. B. Singh 1964, p. 100
- ↑ Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 28.