Mahipala I facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mahipala I |
|
|---|---|
| 9th Pratihara king | |
| Reign | c. 913 – c. 944 |
| Predecessor | Bhoja II |
| Successor | Mahendrapala II |
Mahipala I was an important ruler of the Pratihara dynasty. He became king around 913 CE and ruled until 944 CE. Mahipala I took the throne after his step-brother, Bhoja II. He was the son of Queen Mahidevi. People knew Mahipala I by several other names too, such as Ksitipala, Vinayakapala, Herambapala, and Uttarapatha Swami.
Mahipala's Rule
Mahipala I helped the Pratihara kingdom become strong again. This happened even after another ruler, Indra III, had attacked the capital city of Kannauj. A famous court poet named Rajasekhara called Mahipala I the "Maharajadhiraja of Aryavarta". This means "Great King of Kings of India".
Kingdom's Size
According to the poet Rajasekhara, Mahipala's kingdom was very large. It stretched from the Bias River in the northwest. It went all the way to Kalinga (which is now Odisha) in the southeast. His rule also reached from the Himalayas in the north down to the Kerala or Chera country in the far south.
Evidence from an old stone carving, called the Partabgarh inscription, shows Mahipala's power. It tells us that his son, Mahendrapala II, was ruling in Ujjain by 946 CE. Historians believe Mahipala I was the one who won back Ujjain.
Challenges and Conflicts
Towards the end of Mahipala's rule, his kingdom faced challenges. The Rashtrakutas, another powerful group, attacked northern India. Ancient copper plates from Krisna III, a Rashtrakuta ruler, mention these attacks. They suggest that the Pratiharas lost control of important forts like Kalanjara and Citrakuta.
Despite these challenges, Mahipala I continued the work of his family. He was a strong leader. A poet from the Kannada region, Pampa, called him "Gurjararaja". This means "King of the Gurjaras," referring to the Pratihara rulers.
Allies and Supporters
Mahipala I had rulers who supported him. One such ruler was Dharanivaraha. He belonged to the Chapa or Chavda family. Dharanivaraha ruled in a place called Vardhamana, which is now Wadhwan in Saurashtra, Gujarat. An old record from 914 CE shows that Dharanivaraha was a loyal supporter of Mahipala.
