THE PARAMARAS

THE PARAMARAS The main branch of the Paramaras comprised descendants of the Rashtrakutas who ruled in Malwa from the early years of the ninth century with their capital at Dhara. The dynasty was founded by Upendra or Krishnaraja. His immediate successors were Sivaka-Harsha and, then, his son Munja. He is known by the names of Amogharvasha, Srivallabha and Utpalaraja as well. He defeated the powerful Chalukyan king, Tailapa II. Bhoja is considered the best of the Paramara rulers. Bhoja's defeat by Jayasimha II, the Chalukya king, extinguished his ambition to control the De<;can shortly before 1019. Nev­ertheless, he succeeded in defeating the King of Chedi. Bhoja is further said to have humbled the lord of Lata (southern Gujarat) and Bhima I of Gujarat. Bhoja passed away during his battle with the Kalachuri king, Lakshmi­Kama.

Bhoja is better known for his scholarly pursuits than for his conquests. The authorship of more than twenty-three books on varied subjects is ascribed to him. He was a patron of art and literature. He patronised scholars like Dhanapala and Urata.