Mularaja II

Mularaja (r. 1175 – 1178 CE), also known as Bala Mularaja ("Child Mularaja"), was an Indian king from the Chaulukya dynasty of Gujarat. He ruled the present-day Gujarat and surrounding areas from his capital Anahilapataka (modern Patan). He ascended the throne as a child, and his mother Naiki Devi acted as the regent during his short reign. The Chaulukyas repulsed a Ghurid invasion when he was 13 years old. The Paramara king Vindhyavarman made attempts to evict the Chaulukyas from Malwa during his reign, and succeeded in regaining control of Malwa either during Mularaja's lieftime or shortly after his death.

Mularaja II
King of Gurjaradesh
Reignc. 1175 – 1178
PredecessorAjayapala
SuccessorBhima II
DynastyChaulukya
FatherAjayapala
MotherNaiki Devi

Early life
  1. ^ Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 501.

Mularaja succeeded his father Ajayapala on the Chaulukya throne.[1]

His mother Naikidevi was the daughter of one Paramardin. According to one theory, this Paramardin was the Goa Kadamba king Shivachitta Paramadideva (1148–1179 CE). Another theory identifies him with the Chandela king Paramardi. The second theory is based on the identification of "Kakaḍādaha" with similar-sounding "Gāḍāraghaṭṭa".[1] The Chandela-era Garra inscription mentions that a Chandela warrior named Rauta Pape lost his life in a battle at Kakaḍādaha.[2] According to the 14th century chronicler Merutunga, Naikidevi fought the Muslims at Gāḍarāraghaṭṭa.[1] This appears to be same as Kasahrada, where a Chaulukya army defeated the Ghurids in 1178 CE.[3]

Mularaja ascended the throne as a young child after his father's death. His mother Naikidevi acted as the regent during his short reign.[4]

Battle of Kasahrada
Further information: Battle of Kasahrada

Rebellion in Malwa

The Paramara kingdom of Malwa had come under Chaulukya control during the reign of Mularaja's predecessors. During Mularaja's reign, a famine occurred in Gujarat. Taking advantage of this, the Paramara king Vindhyavarman made attempts to regain control of Malwa.[3]

The Chaulukya general Kumara was in-charge of the operations against Vindhyavarman. According to Surathotsava, written by Kumara's son Someshvara, Kumara defeated Vindhyavarman. After his victory, Kumara destroyed Vindhyavarman's town Gogasthana, sank a well where the Paramara palace once stood, and plundered Malwa.[3]

Vindhyavarman was ultimately successful in regaining control of Malwa. According to historian R. C. Majumdar, he accomplished this during the reign of Mularaja.[5] However, A. K. Majumdar believes that Malwa remained under Chaululkya control during Mularaja's reign.[3]

Death

Mularaja died at a very young age in 1178 CE, and was succeeded by his brother Bhima II.[6]

References
  1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 131.
  2. Sisirkumar Mitra 1977, p. 129.
  3. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 136.
  4. Tripat Sharma 1987, p. 123.
  5. R. C. Majumdar 1977, p. 328.
  6. R. C. Majumdar 1977, p. 334.

Bibliography
  • Ashok Kumar Srivastava (1979). The Chahamanas of Jalor. Sahitya Sansar Prakashan. OCLC 12737199.
  • Asoke Kumar Majumdar (1956). Chaulukyas of Gujarat. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. OCLC 4413150.
  • Dasharatha Sharma (1959). Early Chauhān Dynasties. S. Chand / Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9780842606189.
  • R. B. Singh (1964). History of the Chāhamānas. N. Kishore. OCLC 11038728.
  • R. C. Majumdar (1977). Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120804364.
  • Sisirkumar Mitra (1977). The Early Rulers of Khajurāho. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120819979.
  • Tripat Sharma (1987). Women in Ancient India, from 320 A.D. to C. 1200 A.D. Ess Ess. ISBN 978-81-7000-028-0.
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