Brief Summary
Alright, so this video is all about the Parmar ruler Vakpati Munj. Amit Sir talks about his achievements, his historical background, and his contributions to art and literature. Key takeaways include Munj's military campaigns, his patronage of the arts, and his tragic end.
- Vakpati Munj was a powerful ruler of the Parmar dynasty.
- He patronized art and literature.
- His reign ended tragically due to a strategic blunder.
Introduction to Vakpati Munj
So, Vakpati Munj was a significant ruler of the Parmar dynasty, which was part of the Rajput period. The Parmar dynasty was founded by Upendra Krishnaraja, but the real founder was considered to be Siyak II. Initially, they ruled parts of Madhya Pradesh under the Rashtrakutas. The dynasty's origin is linked to the Agnivanshi Rajputs, as mentioned in Prithviraj Raso. Upendra Krishnaraja established the dynasty around the 9th century AD. Their capital was initially Mandu, later shifting to Dhara Nagari during Siyak II's time. The last ruler of this dynasty was Mahalak Dev, around 1305 AD. The Parmars ruled for about 400 years, from the mid-9th century to 1305 AD. Key rulers included Siyak II, Vakpati Munj, Sindhuraj, Bhoj, Udayaditya, and Yashovarman. The dynasty is considered to be of the Vashistha gotra and Agnivanshi. Their state language was Sanskrit, with Nagari and Devanagari scripts. Their royal symbol was Garuda holding a serpent. They are remembered for their contributions to literature and art.
Sources of Information on Vakpati Munj
To know about Vakpati Munj, we have sources like Billar's Vikramankadevacharita, Hemachandra's Dvyashraya Kavya, Padmagupta's Nav Sahasank Charit, Dhanpal's Tilak Manjari, and others. Foreign accounts include Abul Fazl's Ain-e-Akbari. Archaeological sources include inscriptions like the Dharmapuri inscription. Munj issued gold and copper coins. These sources help us understand his economic, religious, cultural, and political history.
Historical Background of Vakpati Munj
Vakpati Munj became the ruler around 973 AD after Siyak II's death. He was the seventh ruler in the lineage after Siyak II. Some texts suggest he was Siyak II's adopted son, while others say he was the son of a "Badjaatri." His brother was Nav Shashank (Sindhuraj), his wife was Kusuma Mavati, and his son was Aranya Raj Chandana. In his later years, he had a lover named Mrinal Vati. He held titles like Param Bhattaraka, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshwar, Vakpati Rajdev, Prithvi Vallabh, Amoghvarsha, and Shri Vallabh. These titles were also used by the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. His chief minister was Rudraditya and Kaan Paayaka. His capital was Dhara Nagari. Vakpati Munj ruled for 22 years, from 973 to 995 AD. He supported art and literature, with scholars like Padmagupta, Dhanpal, Hala Ayudh, Dhananjay, Dhanik, and Amit Gati in his court. He was a follower of Shaivism. Contemporary rulers included the Pratihar ruler Rajyapal, the Chandel ruler Dhang Dev, the Chalukya ruler Talap II, the Kalachuri ruler Yuvaraj Dev II, and the Solanki ruler Moolraj.
Early Life of Vakpati Munj
It is said that Siyak II initially had no son. Once, he found a crying child in the Munja grass. Siyak II adopted him and named him Vakpati Munj. Later, his own son Sindhuraj was born. However, Siyak II considered Vakpati Munj lucky and made him his heir instead of Sindhuraj. According to Ballal Charit, Vakpati Munj was Siyak II's biological son, born to a woman named Badja. Siyak II couldn't publicly accept him due to social norms, so he adopted him. After Sindhuraj's death, Vakpati Munj became the ruler in 973 AD.
Military Campaigns: Huna Victory & Conflict with Guhilas
Like his father, Munj also fought with the Hunas. He donated a village in the Huna region, suggesting he conquered it, though the victory wasn't permanent. His younger brother Sindhuraj also had to fight the Hunas later. Munj attacked the Guhil region in Rajasthan, ruled by Shaktikumar. The Hastikundi inscription mentions that Munj, with his elephant army, attacked and looted the Guhil capital, Aaghat (near Jaipur). This resulted in Munj gaining some territory. Shaktikumar took refuge with the Rashtrakuta ruler Dhaval, seeking to regain his lost territories. Munj conquered areas of Mewar and Chittor, but Shaktikumar later reclaimed his kingdom.
Conflicts with Kalachuris, Chahamanas, and the Conquest of Laat
Vakpati Munj's kingdom bordered the TriPuri kingdom, ruled by the Kalachuri ruler Yuvaraj II. The Udaipur inscription mentions that Munj attacked TriPuri and captured the Kalachuri capital. Many of Yuvaraj II's commanders were killed in this war. Munj also attacked the Chahamanas of Nadol, ruled by Baliraj. He defeated Baliraj and captured Mount Abu and the southern part of Jodhpur. However, he couldn't capture Nadol itself. The Sundha inscription mentions that Baliraj defeated Munj's army. Munj initially captured surrounding areas but failed to capture the main capital. The Udaipur inscription states that Munj defeated Varap, a Chalukya commander of Taila II, who was ruling Laat. This defeat initiated the rivalry between Munj and Taila II.
Battles with the Chalukyas of Gujarat and Kalyani
Munj then fought with Moolraj I, the Chalukya ruler of Gujarat (also known as Solanki). Munj attacked and defeated him. Moolraj sought refuge in the Marwar desert. The Bijapur inscription mentions that Munj destroyed the power of the Gurjar ruler, and his army had to take refuge in the kingdom of the Rashtrakuta ruler Dhaval. Munj had a major rivalry with Taila II of the Chalukya dynasty. Munj defeated him six times but then adopted an aggressive policy against the advice of his minister Rudraditya. He crossed the Godavari River and attacked the Chalukya capital, Malkhed. The Yadavas of Devagiri supported Taila II in this war. Munj was captured.
Tragic End of Vakpati Munj
Rudraditya tried to rescue him but failed. While imprisoned, Munj fell in love with Taila II's widowed sister, Mrinalvati. Rudraditya planned an escape through a tunnel. However, Vakpati Munj, blinded by love, revealed the plan to Mrinalvati. Mrinalvati told her brother Taila II. When Vakpati Munj emerged from the tunnel, Taila's army was waiting. He was brutally killed, dragged by horses, and his head was displayed on a spear in Malkhed.
Religious Policy, Art, and Literature during Munj's Reign
Vakpati Munj was a religious and benevolent ruler. He constructed many temples and lakes, such as the Munj Sagar in Mandu and Dhara. Inscriptions from Dharmapuri and Ujjain show that Munj held titles like Prithvi Vallabh and Shri Vallabh. He built Shiva temples in Mandhata, Ujjain, and Maheshwar, indicating his devotion to Shaivism. Munj was also a patron of art and literature. The Udaipur inscription praises him. He is compared to Vikramaditya, Shalivahan, and Bhoj. Scholars like Padmagupta, Dhananjay, and Dhanik lived in his court. Padmagupta wrote Nav Shashank Charit. Other scholars included Hala Ayudh, Amit Gati, and Shobhan. Dhananjay wrote Dash Rupak Kavya Nirnaya, Dhanik wrote Yasho Rupa Valok. Munj himself wrote a geographical text called Pradesha Vyavastha. Hala Ayudh wrote Abhidhan Ratnamala, Dhanpal wrote Tilak Manjari, and Amit Gati wrote Subhashit Ratna Sandhu. He supported art and built the Munj Sagar lake.
Conclusion: Legacy of Vakpati Munj
Munj spent his final days in captivity, and his end was tragic. However, Vakpati Munj played a significant role in expanding the Parmar kingdom. His empire stretched from TriPuri to Gujarat's Laat region and from Mewar and Jaipur in the north to the northern parts of the Godavari River. Despite defeating Taila II six times, he lost his kingdom and met a terrible death due to a mistake. Munj died sometime between 995 and 998 AD.
