An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.t2.3

v1.c9.s19.t2.3

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.