Author: Pratipal Bhatia

Publisher: New Delhi : Munshiram Manoharlal

Published: 1970

Total Pages: 492

ISBN-13:

Illustrations: 17 B/w Illustrations and 1 Map Description: The present work is the history of the Paramaras and the territories ruled over by them. Coming from somewhere in the vicinity of Mt. Abu of which the Agnikula myth may be a distant echo, the Paramaras established a number of kingdoms in Malwa and the adjacent districts, Arbudamandala, Vagada, Bhimal-Kiradu and Jalore. During the course of nearly five hundred years of their political existence (c. 800-1305 A.D.) they ruled over extensive territories, the combined strength of which was more than that of any other contemporary Hindu dynasty of Northern India. Among all the Paramara kingdoms that of Malwa rose to great heights. Founded by Upendra sometime in the last decade of the 8th Century A.D. it became the strongest kingdom in central and western India under its ambitious and imperial rulers Vakpati-Munja (974-994 A.D.) and Bhoja (1010-1055 A.D.). Thereafter, passing through varying fortunes it continued its existence till the early years of the 14th century A.D. when it finally succumbed before the Khalji Sultans of Delhi. The greatest contribution of the Paramaras seems to be in the spheres of literature, arts and architecture. The names of Munja and Bhoja have become a legend. Their capital cities Dhara and Ujjain became centres of literary and artistic activities where scholars and artists gathered from all over the country. An attempt has been made for the first time into the investigation of the administrative system, religion, social and economic conditions in the Paramaras' kingdoms. A brief survey of the literary and artistic achievements, accompanied with a number of illustrations has been added in order to give some completeness to the picture of life as it was lived in those days. In reconstructing the history of the Paramara kingdoms the author has made a critical and judicious use of information scattered through a wide range source-material-epigraphs, literary works of the Brahmanas and the Jainas and the archaeological evidence. She has taken cognizance of the recently published monographs based on research done into the history of all the contemporary dynasties.