The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c31.137

v2.c31.137

Bhoja's struggle against the Gurjaras, Cedis, and other enemies among whom Bhīma was prominent, is referred to by the Udaipur *praśasti* of the Paramāras of Mālava.¹ The Vadnagar *praśasti* distinctly says that Bhīma's horses, which were “supremely skilled in accomplishing the five paces (called *dhārā*), quickly gained Dhārā, the capital of the emperor of Mālava.''² Though the Udaipur³ and the Nagpur⁴ *praśastis* do not definitely associate the names of Karṇa and Bhīma with Bhoja's death they clearly indicate that Bhoja was “submerged” by ‘floods’ which for a time overwhelmed Dhārā and its rulers. There is no epigraphic evidence to show that Karṇa was defeated by Bhīma. But it is not unlikely, in view of the fact that he, like Bhoja, also had a meteoric fall, and Bhīma may have had a share in bringing about the downfall of the Kalacuri empire. Though the chronicles are silent on Bhīma's relations with the Cāhamānas, epigraphic evidence shows that he had reversed his predecessor's friendly policy towards the Naḍḍūla Cāhamānas. The Sundha Hill inscription of Cāciga (V.S. 1319)⁵ tells us that the Naḍḍūla princes Ahila and his paternal uncle Aṇahilla defeated the Gurjara king Bhīma I. In the same inscription, the latter's son Bālaprasāda⁶ is said to have compelled Bhīma to liberate from prison a king named Kṛṣṇarāja. Kielhorn has rightly identified this Kṛṣṇarāja with the Paramāra of that name, who ruled in Abu *c.* 1060-67 A.D.⁷ An inscription in the Vimala temple on Mt.