| Govindachandra | |
|---|---|
| Ashva-pati Nara-pati Gaja-pati Rajatrayadhipati Shrimad-Govindachandra | |
 AKalachuri-style 'seated goddess' coin of Govindachandra (r. c. 1114–1155 CE). 41⁄2 masha, gold. Obv: Four-armed Tathagat Buddha seated cross-legged on lotus on obverse side holding a lotus in the upper two hands.Rev: Inscription in Nagari script :'Shrimad-Govindachandra'. | |
| King of Kannauj | |
| Reign | c. 1114–1155 CE |
| Predecessor | Madanapala |
| Successor | Vijayachandra |
| Spouse | Nayanakeli-devi, Gosalla-devi, Kumara-devi, and Vasanta-devi |
| Issue | Asphotachandra, Rajyapala andVijayachandra |
| Dynasty | Gahadavala |
| Father | Madanapala |
| Mother | Ralhadevi |
Govindachandra (IAST: Govindacandra,r. c. 1114–1155 CE) was the King ofKannauj from 1114 to 1155 and was a member of theGahadavala dynasty.
Govindachandra was the most powerful ruler of his dynasty. As a prince, he achieved military successes against theGhaznavids and thePalas. As a sovereign, he defeated theKalachuris of Tripuri, and annexed some of their territories.
The "Vishnu-Hari inscription" recording the construction of a temple during Govindachandra's reign was found among theBabri mosque debris. The authenticity of this inscription is controversial. According to some historians, it proves that Govindachandra's subordinate Anayachandra constructed a temple at the site believed to beRama's birthplace; this temple was later destroyed and replaced with theBabri mosque by Muslim conquerors. Other historians allege that the Hindu activists planted the so-called Vishnu-Hari inscription at the Babri mosque site, and that the Govindachandra mentioned in it is a different person.
Govindachandra was born to the Gahadavala monarchMadanapala. The last extant inscription from Madanapala's reign is dated 1109 CE, and the first inscription from Govindachandra's reign is dated 1114 CE. Thus, Govindachandra must have ascended the throne sometime during 1109–1114 CE.[1]
His mother was probably Ralhadevi, who seems to have died sometime before 1141 CE. An 1141 CE grant of Govindachandra mentions that it was made on the occasion of the "day of the great queen Ralhadevi".[2]
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Diwan-i-Salman, a chronicle by the contemporary Muslim historian Salman, states that the MuslimGhaznavid rulerMas'ud III invaded India. According to Salman, the Ghaznavid forces captured Malhi, the ruler of Kanauj (Kanyakubja). "Malhi" is generally identified with Govindachandra's fatherMadanapala. It appears that the Gahadavalas lost Kanyakubja somewhere between 1104 CE and 1105 CE, and Govindachandra led a war to recover it.[7]
The inscriptions issued by Govindachandra as a prince (Maharajaputra) indicate that he managed to restore the Gahadavala power in Kanyakubja and its surrounding area by 1109 CE. A peace treaty was probably concluded between the two parties, as indicated by the 1109 CE Rahin (or Rahan) inscription. According to this epigraph, prince Govindachandra fought repeatedly against "Hammira", and made him lay aside his enmity. Hammira is theSanskrit form of the Arabic title "Amir", which was used by the Ghaznavids.[7] According to Salman, the Ghaznavids released Malhi only after the payment of aransom.[7]
Subsequently, a Ghaznavid general appears to have launched an unsuccessful attack on the Gahadavala kingdom.Kṛtya-Kalpataru, written by Govindachandra's courtier Lakshmidhara, states that Govindachandra killed the Hammira.[8] This incident may have happened during the reign of Madanapala, or early during the reign of Govindachandra.[9] The undatedSarnath inscription of Govindachandra's queen Kumaradevi praises him for protectingVaranasi from the "wicked"Turushkas (Turkic people, that is, the Ghaznavids).[10]
Sometime before 1109 CE, thePalas of eastern India invaded the Gahadavala kingdom, probably as a retaliation forChandradeva's earlier invasion of their kingdom. The 1109 CE Rahin inscription boasts that even as a prince, Govindachandra subdued the elephants ofGauda (the Pala kingdom). TheKṛtya-Kalpataru declares that the mere sport of Govindachandra threatened the elephants of Gauda.[11]
This war appears to have ended with a peace treaty concluded through a matrimonial alliance.[11] Govindachandra married Kumaradevi, the daughter of a Devaraksita of thePithipatis of Bodh Gaya.[3][2]
Govindachandra was the most powerful king of his family. The Gahadavalas became the most prominent power of northern India as a result of his military conquests and diplomatic relations.[1]
The 1114 CE Pali inscription, which is the earliest extant inscription from Govindachandra's reign, states that he captured the "elephants of nine kingdoms" (nava-rajya-gaja). According to one theory, this term is a conventional literary device to announce the king's claim of being a leading monarch. Another interpretation is that it refers to Govindachandra's conquest ofKanyakubja from another ruler called Gadhipuradhipati Gopala.[1]
Govindachandra seems to have captured some territories from theKalachuris, who were his southern neighbours. The Kalachuri king defeated by Govindachandra was probablyYashahkarna or his successorGayakarna.[12]
The Kalachuri king Yashahkarna had granted the Karanda and Karandatalla villages to his royal perceptor (rajguru) Rudra-Shiva. An 1120 CE inscription of Govindachandra records the grant of these villages toThakkura Vashishtha. In this inscription, Govindachandra assumed the traditional Kalachuri titlesAshva-pati Nara-pati Gaja-pati Rajatrayadhipati[13] (literally, "leader of three forces: thecavalry, theinfantry and theelephant corps").[14] This imitation was presumably a way of celebrating his victory over the Kalachuris.[13] His descendants inherited these titles.[15]
Govindachandra's coins also corroborate the theory that he defeated the Kalachuris. These coins featured a seated goddess: this design had originally been introduced by the Kalachuri kingGangeya-deva. Govindachandra must have adapted this style after his victory over the Kalachuris.[12]
The identity of the Karanda and Karandatalla villages is not certain, so it is difficult to determine which part of the Kalachuri kingdom was annexed by Govindachandra.[12] A 1237 CE inscription from the reign of a Gahadavala prince named Adakkamalla was found in theNagod State (present-daySatna district,Madhya Pradesh). Adakkamalla ruled the area even after the end of the imperial Gahadavala branch; Govindachandra might have appointed his ancestor as a governor of the newly conquered Kalachuri territory.[16] If this assumption is true, the territory annexed by Govindachandra must have been located in the region between theYamuna and theSone rivers.[12]
Govindachandra's marriage to thePithipati princess Kumaradevi[3] had secured the eastern frontier of the Gahadavala kingdom. However, there seems to have been some kind of conflict between the two kingdoms during the 1140s. The 1124 CE Maner inscription of Govindachandra was found in the present-dayPatna district. However, the Pala kingMadanapala (not to be confused with Govindachandra's father) is known to have gained control of this area sometime during 1145–1147 CE. The 1146 Lar inscription of Govindachandra records the grants of villages located in present-dayGorakhpur district. However, it was issued at Mudgagiri (modernMunger), which is located to the east of Patna and Gorakhpur. Inscriptional evidence proves that Munger later came under the control of Madanapala.[17]
This evidence cannot be interpreted with certainty, but it is possible that Govindachandra invaded the Pala kingdom sometime around 1146 CE, and advanced up to Munger, where he issued the 1146 CE inscription. Madanapala repulsed this invasion and chased the Gahadavala army up to Patna before returning to his own kingdom. Another possibility is that Madanapala invaded the Gahadavala kingdom and advanced up to Patna. Govindachandra repulsed this invasion, and advanced up to Munger in the enemy's pursuit, before turning back.[18]
An inscription of Madanapala's war-and-peace minister Bhimadeva was discovered at Rajghat inVaranasi. Based on this,D. C. Sircar theorized that the Palas may have occupied Varanasi (which was the seat of the Gahadavala power) at one time.[19]
Rambha-Manjari-Nataka, a play by the 15th century writer Nayachandra, states that Jayachandra was born on the day his father Govindachandra conqueredDasharna. This territory was a part of theParamara kingdom ofMalwa. The contemporary Paramara kingsNaravarman andYashovarman were weak rulers, and the Gahadavalas may have taken advantage of this opportunity. TheChandelas, whose territory was located between the Gahadavala and Paramara kingdoms, were friendly with Govindachandra, and may have allowed him to pass through their kingdom.[20]
However, Nayachandra's claim is not supported by any other literary or epigraphic evidence.[21] Therefore, the historical accuracy of this claim is doubtful.[22]
An inscription of Govindachandra's queen Kumaradevi states that he had been sent by Hara (Shiva) to protect the holy city ofVaranasi from theTurushka (Turkic people, that is, theGhaznavids). This has led to speculation that Govindachandra fought against the Ghaznavids as a sovereign as well. However, there is no record of any Ghaznavid army advancing up to Varanasi. It is possible thatBahram Shah or his son Khusrau Shah may have fought with a feudatory of Govindachandra at the kingdom's north-western border. The praise bestowed upon Govindachandra for protecting Varanasi may be a reference to his general vigilance against the potential Ghaznavid attacks.[23]
Govindachandra's marriage to thePithipati princess Kumaradevi had led to peaceful relations between the two kingdoms for several years.[24]
Govindachandra's relations with theChandela kingMadanavarman also appear to have been friendly. TheMau inscription from Madanavarman's reign states that the king of Kashi (Varanasi) remained friendly to him. This king of Kashi can be identified with Govindachandra.[25] Although the Gahadavala records do not mention any friendship between the two kings, it is quite plausible, given that theKalachuris of Tripuri were their common enemies.[26]
Jajjaladeva, a ruler of theTummana Kalachuri branch, also maintained friendly relations with Govindachandra. His 1114 CERatanpur inscription states that he had been honoured by the king of Kanyakubja.[27]
An inscription detailing the Gahadavala genealogy from Yashovigraha toChandradeva has been found atGangaikonda Cholapuram in theChola territory. It ends abruptly, so the name of its issuer is not certain, but it appears to have been issued during the reign of either Madanavarman or Govindachandra.[26] Historian H. C. Ray speculated that the Gahadavalas and the Cholas may have developed friendly relations, because they both shared the Kalachuris as a common enemy. As a result, a Gahadavala prince may have visited Gangaikonda Cholapuram and issued the inscription. The 1119 CE Set-Mahet inscription states that Govindachandra made some grants at the request of a monk from the Chola kingdom. This further corroborates the theory of friendly relations between the two kingdoms.[28]
According toRajatarangini, the contemporaryKashmiri king Jayasimha made the rulers of Kanyakubja and other kingdoms "proud of his friendship".Shrikantha-Charita by Jayasimha's courtier Mankha states that Govindachandra sent one Suhala to attend an assembly of scholars held by the Kashmiri minister Alamkara. These evidences point to friendly diplomatic relations between the Gahadavalas and the rulers of Kashmir.[29]
A number of inscriptions from Govindachandra's reign are available. Thefind spots of these inscriptions and the locations mentioned in them provide an idea of the territorial extent of his kingdom.[30]
In the north-east, his kingdom was probably bounded by theBurhi Gandak River.[30] The northern boundary of his kingdom is debatable. His grandfatherChandradeva ruled a place called Indrasthaniyaka; some scholars identify it as the modernDelhi. Based on this identification, historian Roma Niyogi theorizes thatTomaras of Delhi may have served as Govindachandra's feudatories in the north-west.[21] However, P. C. Roy is critical of this theory, as no historical records establish the Gahadavala presence in Delhi. He points out that Rahin (or Rahan) village inEtawah district is the furthest point in the north-west where a Gahadavala inscription has been discovered. Therefore, he believes that Indrasthaniyaka is not same as Delhi.[31]
TheRashtrakutas of Kannauj were Govindachandra's feudatories.[32] TheYamuna River probably formed the southern boundary of his father's kingdom, and Govindachandra appears to have annexed someKalachuri territories to the south of Yamuna.[16]
In the east, Govindachandra controlled a part of the present-dayBihar. His easternmost inscription has been found at Maner inPatna district. His 1146 CE Lar inscription mentions that it was issued from Mudgagiri (modernMunger), which is located further east. However, thePala inscriptions in this area indicate that he lost this territory by the end of his reign.[30] Nayachandra's playRambha-Manjari-Nataka claims that he conqueredDasharna (Malwa) in the west, but this claim is not supported by any other evidence.[21]
Four queens of Govindachandra are known: Nayanakeli-devi, Gosalla-devi, Kumara-devi, and Vasanta-devi. The first two bore the title of the chief queen (patta-mahadevi), probably one after another. The 1119 Kamauli grant of Govindachandra records a gift by the chief queen Nayanakeli. The later 1151 CEBangarmau grant records a gift by the chief queen Gosalla-devi.[33]
An undatedSarnath inscription of Kumaradevi indicates that she was aBuddhist.[33] Her father Devarakshita, a member of the Chikkora dynasty ofPithi, was aPala vassal. Her mother Shankaradevi was a daughter of theRashtrakuta Mathana-deva ofAnga, who was also a Pala feudatory & the maternal uncle of the Pala rulerRamapala, according to theRamacharitam.[2] Vasantadevi was also aMahayana Buddhist, as attested by a text calledAshta-Sahasrika-Prajna-Paramita.[33]
Three sons of Govindachandra are known: Asphota-chandra, Rajya-pala and Vijaya-chandra. Asphotachandra bore the titleYuvaraja (heir apparent), as attested by 1134 CE inscription. Rajyapala bore the titleMaharajaputra (prince), as attested by the 1143 CE Gagaha inscription and the 1146 CE Varanasi inscription. But the actual successor of Govindachandra was Vijayachandra, whose first inscription is dated 1168 CE. It is not known why Vijayachandra ascended the throne when Asphotachandra was theyuvaraja. It is possible that the other two princes died during Govindachandra's lifetime, or that Vijayachandra defeated them in a war of succession, but there is no concrete evidence for either of these hypotheses.[34]
The last extant inscription of Govindachandra is dated 1154 CE, and the earliest available inscription of his successorVijayachandra is dated 1168 CE. Such a long gap is unusual for the dynasty, and may indicate troubled times arising out of an external invasion or a war of succession after Govindachandra's death.[35]
According to the Gahadavala inscriptions, Govindachandra appreciated and patronized different branches of learning (as indicated by his titleVividha-vidya-vichara-vachaspati).[2] Govindachandra's courtier Lakshmidhara composedKṛtya-Kalpataru at the king's request. Lakshmidhara was a scholar, a warrior and a diplomat.[29]
Nearly 1,000 gold coins of Govindachandra have been discovered, besides some silver and copper coins.[36] Ahoard of 800 of his gold coins was discovered nearNanpara in 1887, during railway construction work.[37][38][39] The coins are made of impure gold, and contain a large mixture of silver.[40] Most of the other coins have been discovered at various parts of present-dayUttar Pradesh andBihar.[36]
Govindachandra's coins feature a seated goddess. Originally used by theKalachuris of Tripuri, this style was probably adapted by Govindachandra to celebrate his victory over the Kalachuris. One side of the coins features the king's name ("Shrimad-Govindachandra-deva") in three lines, usually followed by atrishula. The other side features a four-armed seated goddess, identified withLakshmi.[41]
After defeating Govindachandra's grandsonJayachandra,Muhammad of Ghor also adapted this style, and issued coins featuring the seated goddess.[42]
The following inscriptions issued by Govindachandra, or issued by others during his reign, have been discovered:[43]
| Date of issue (CE) | Find spot | Issued at | Issued by | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 December 1104 | Etawah district: Bashai (Basahi) | Asatika onYamuna | Govindachandra (as a prince) | Village grant |
| 24 October 1105 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Vishnupura onGanga | Govindachandra (as a prince) | Village grant |
| 1114 | Gorakhpur district: Pali | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Land grant |
| 15 October 1114 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 11 January 1115 | Varanasi district:Varanasi (Near Bhadaini temple) | Varanasi | Govindachandra | House grant |
| 3 March 1116 | Etawah district: Bashai (or Basahi) | Unknown | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 7 April 1116 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 29 August 1117 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 28 January 1119 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 11 May 1119 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Queen Nayanakelidevi | Village grant |
| October 1118 – 1119 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 1119–1120 | Shravasti district: Set-Mahet | Unknown | Vidyadhara, a subject of Govindachandra's feudatory Madana | Establishment of a Buddhist sangha |
| 1119–1120 | Siwan district: Don Buzurg | Mamdalia onGanga | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 1120 | Unknown | Unknown | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 1120 | Kanpur Nagar district: Chhatarpur | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 21 July 1122 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi: Kapala-MochanaGhatta | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 9 September 1124 | Unknown | Unknown | Ralhana-Devi | Village grant |
| 1124 | Patna district: Maner | Kanyakubja | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 1126 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Unknown place onGanga | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 1127 | Unknown | Ishapratishthana onGanga | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 1127 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 1127 | Pratapgarh district: Tala | Prayaga | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 1128 | Varanasi district:Varanasi | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 1128–29 | Shravasti district: Set-Mahet | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grants to Buddhist monks |
| 1129 | Unknown (from Raja ofItaunja) | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 16 November 1130 | Varanasi district:Varanasi (Near Bhadaini temple) | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 21 November 1130 | Sitapur district: Raiwan | Varanasi (AdikeshavaGhatta) | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 6 November 1131 | Fatehpur district: Ren | Varanasi (AdikeshavaGhatta) | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 29 April 1132 | Gorakhpur district: Pali | Varanasi (SvapnashvaraGhatta) | Ralhana-Devi | Land grant |
| 5 August 1133 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Govindavatika | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 30 March 1134 | Varanasi district:Varanasi | Varanasi | Asphotachandra (prince) | Village grant |
| 28 August 1134 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi (Avimukta-KshetraGhatta) | Vatsaraja of Shingara family (feudatory) | Village grant |
| 1139 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant duringlunar eclipse |
| 1140 | Varanasi district:Varanasi (Rajghat) | Varanasi (AdikeshavaGhatta) | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 23 February 1141 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi (VedeshvaraGhatta) | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 23 February 1141 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi (Avimukta-KshetraGhatta) | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 27 February 1141 | Gorakhpur district: Gagaha | Gumjhada-grama on Triveni river | Rajyapala-deva (prince) | Estate grant |
| 16 July 1144 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 19 April 1143 | Jaunpur district:Machhali Shahar | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 14 April 1146 | Deoria district:Lar | Mudgagiri | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 25 December 1146 | Varanasi district:Varanasi (Near Bhadaini temple) | Rajyapalapura onGanga | Rajyapala-deva (prince) | Village grant |
| 25 December 1150 | Varanasi district:Varanasi (Near Bhadaini temple) | Varanasi: Koti-tirtha | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| 6 November 1150 | Unnao district:Bangarmau | Varanasi: Lolarka temple | Gosaladevi (queen) | Village grant |
| 1151 | Azamgarh district: Hathia-Dah (near Deogaon) | Unknown | BellanaThakura (officer of Queen Gosaladevi) | Excavation of a tank |
| 10 August 1154 | Varanasi district: Kamauli | Varanasi | Govindachandra | Village grant |
| Undated | Varanasi district:Sarnath | Unknown | Kumaradevi (queen) | Restoration of a Buddhist shrine |
TheHari-Vishnu inscription, said to have been found at theBabri mosque during itsdemolition in 1992, also mentions one Govindachandra. It records the construction of a temple by Govindachandra's subordinate Anayachandra.[44] Its date portion is missing, and its authenticity has been a matter of controversy.[45] Those who believe that a temple existed at Babri mosque site consider the inscription as an evidence of their claim. Others have claimed that the inscription was brought to Ayodhya from theLucknown State Museum, and planted at Ayodhya by Hindu activists. According to this theory, the "Govindachandra" mentioned in the inscription was not the Gahadavala monarch, but a subordinate noble.[46]
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