An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.t2: 4.19.6 C. region
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.t2
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4.19.6 C. region
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With a view to properly understanding the nature of the late historical cultures of c. India it is essential to take cognizance of the political history, especially the succession of different dynasties which ruled over this region and the archaeological data in the form of the occurrence of distinctive and datable ceramic industries and a passing reference to monuments in the region.
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It is neither possible nor necessary to have a detailed historical account of c. India, now more or less equivalent to the State of Madhya Pradesh. In the late historical period, in the post-Harṣa age, early in the 8th century, one branch of the Gūrjara-Pratīhāras became the rulers of Malwa. These Gūrjaras probably belonged to the same ethnic group as the Hūṇas. Their realm seems to have extended right up to the Narmada, Vatsarāja being a famous king of this dynasty. Similarly Nāgabhata I was a distinguished king of the Pratīhāras who is stated to have repulsed the attack of the Arabs of Ujjayinī in the 8th century.
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The Paramāras, beginning of the 9th to the middle of 13th century, made a deep impact on c. India. A number of temples and copper-plate grants of this dynasty are known. Māhiṣmatī, Ujjayinī and Dhārā attained the status of capital towns during the regime of this dynasty. Initially owing allegiance to the Rāṣṭrakūṭas, they founded an independent kingdom of Malwa in 972 encompassing the Godavari on the s., Sabarmati on the w., Banswara region on the n. and Vidiśā on the e. Muñja was responsible for the expansion of the empire and he patronized poets, built several temples and excavated a number of tanks. Another famous king was Bhoja, 11th century, who was known for his conquests, scholarship, prolific architecture and knowledge of astronomy and grammar. He established a university at Dhārā for Sanskrit studies which is even now designated as Bhojaśālā though converted into a mosque. He also built the dam of Bhojpur. After Bhoja the Paramāras did not have a smooth time. The Chalukya king Jayasiṁha and finally Kumārapala, 12th century, annexed the entire region of Malwa.
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From the first quarter of the 13th century c. India and particularly Malwa were frequently invaded by the Muslims. Balban in 1250, Sulṭān Jalālu'd-Dīn in 1283 and 'Alāu'd-Dīn Khaljī in 1305 wrought havoc and annexed Malwa. Smaller chieftains like the Ahīrs, 13th-14th century, the Rathods, the Sesodias and the Bhilala chiefs who held petty principalities do not deserve anything more than a passing reference.
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It may be made clear here that the foregoing sketch, essentially a historical one, does not relate to archaeology and is not an account of cultures of which little has been unearthed, though several grants, coins, inscriptions and monuments of these dynasties have been recovered. However glazed pottery which is associated with and is supposed to be the product of the Islamic culture has been reported from MAHESHWAR on the Narmada and UJJAIN on the Sipra in Pds VII and IV respectively in excavations. From MAHESHWAR it appears that the houses of the common people were insignificant pieces of architecture, though contemporary forts, palaces and temples are lavish.
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Dikshit, M.G., 1954, *Madhya Pradesh ke Puratattva ki Ruparekha*, Saugar-Poona. Shrivastava, P.N., ed., 1970, *Madhya Pradesh Dt Gazetteer, W. Nimar*, Bhopal. For sites see respective entries in vol. II.—S.B. DEO