Trailokyavarman
| Trailokyavarman | |
|---|---|
| Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara, Kalanjaradhipati | |
| King of Jejakabhukti | |
| Reign | c. 1203-1245 CE |
| Predecessor | Paramardideva |
| Successor | Viravarman |
| Dynasty | Chandela |
Trailokya-Varman (reigned c. 1203-1245 CE) was a king of the Chandela dynasty of central India. He ruled the Jejakabhukti region (Bundelkhand in present-day Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh).
Chandela inscriptions suggest that Trailokyavarman succeeded Paramardi as the Chandela ruler. He was probably Paramardi's son, although this cannot be said with certainty based on the available evidence.[1]
Seven inscriptions of Trailokyavarman have been found at Ajaygarh, Banpur, Garra near Chhatarpur, and Tehri (Tikamgarh). A number of other places in the Bundelkhand region are mentioned in these inscriptions.[2] The inscriptions give him the usual imperial titles Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Parama-Maheshvara Shri-Kalanjaradhipati.[3] His coins have been found in Banda district. This indicates that he controlled a large part of the traditional Chandela dominions.[2]
Trailokyavarman bore the title Kalanjaradhipati ("Lord of Kalanjara"), which suggests that he recovered the Kalanjara fort from the Turkic rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. The Garra copper-plate inscription of Trailokyavarman as well as the Ajaygarh inscription of his successor Viravarman support this hypothesis. The Garra inscription records the grant of a village to the son of Rauta Pape, who was killed in a battle with the Turushkas (Turkic people).[4] The Ajaygarh inscription states that like Vishnu, he lifted the earth submerged in the ocean formed by the Turushkas.[5]
The Muslim chronicle Tabaqat-i Nasiri also suggests that Kalanjara had slipped from the Delhi Sultanate control, before it was raided by Malik Nusrat-ud-din Taisi (or Tayasi) in 1233 CE. According to the text, Taisi marched to Kalanjara from Gwalior, forcing the ruler of Kalanjara to flee, and then plundered the city.[6][7]
The Maharanakas (feudal chiefs) of Kakaredika (modern Kakreri) transferred their allegiance from the Kalachuris of Tripuri to the Chandelas during Trailokyavarman's reign.[8] The Rewa inscription of Kumarapala gives him the Kalachuri titles such as Trikalingadhipati, probably because he had annexed the Kalachuri territories around the Rewa region.[9] The Dhureti inscription also describes him as Kanyakubjapati (Lord of Kanyakubja), which was not assumed by any other Chandela ruler. It is possible that Trailokyavarman assumed this title following the decline of the Gahadavalas of Kanyakubja.[10]
According to the Ajaygarh rock inscription from Bhojavarman's reign, Trailokyavarman's general Ananda subjugated several tribes, including the Bhillas, the Shabaras and the Pulindas. He is also said to have defeated Bhojuka, whose identity is uncertain.[11]
Like his predecessors, Trailokyavarman issued gold coins featuring a seated goddess,[12] and copper coins featuring the deity Hanuman.[13] He was succeeded by Viravarman.[14]
References
- ↑ R. K. Dikshit 1976, p. 155.
- 1 2 R. K. Dikshit 1976, p. 156-157.
- ↑ R. K. Dikshit 1976, p. 164.
- ↑ Sisirkumar Mitra 1977, p. 129.
- ↑ Sisirkumar Mitra 1977, p. 133.
- ↑ Sisirkumar Mitra 1977, pp. 129-130.
- ↑ R. K. Dikshit 1976, p. 158.
- ↑ Sisirkumar Mitra 1977, pp. 130-131.
- ↑ R. K. Dikshit 1976, pp. 164-165.
- ↑ R. K. Dikshit 1976, p. 165.
- ↑ Sisirkumar Mitra 1977, pp. 132-133.
- ↑ P. C. Roy 1980, p. 55.
- ↑ P. C. Roy 1980, p. 59.
- ↑ Sushil Kumar Sullerey 2004, p. 27.
Bibliography
- P. C. Roy (1980). The Coinage of Northern India. Abhinav. ISBN 9788170171225.
- R. K. Dikshit (1976). The Candellas of Jejākabhukti. Abhinav. ISBN 9788170170464.
- Sisirkumar Mitra (1977). The Early Rulers of Khajurāho. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120819979.
- Sushil Kumar Sullerey (2004). Chandella Art. Aakar Books. ISBN 978-81-87879-32-9.