A History of Indian Literature v3.c35.s5.6

v3.c35.s5.6

In the 11th century A.D., the city of Dhārā in Mālava played a great rôle in literature. Here ruled King Muñja (974-995 A.D.)⁴, who was a great patron of poets, a lover of literature, and a poet himself. He was succeeded by his younger brother Sindhurāja Navasāhasāṅka. We know Padma-gupta, the author of Navasāhasāṅkacarita, as the court poet of both. Much more famous as a lover of poets is Bhoja (1018-1060⁵ A. D.)', nephew of Muñja. There are a number of tales and anecdotes told about his love for literature and his generosity towards poets and learned men, very like the tales about Vikramāditya. There are many scholarly works (on poetics, medicine etc.) and poems that are ascribed to him¹. Many of his stanzas are included in anthologies. It is remarkable that we do not till now know of any important poet by name to have in fact lived in his court.