Mahipala I (913–944) was ascended to the throne of Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty after his step brother Bhoj II.[1] He was born of queen Mahidevi.[2] Mahipala I was also designated by names - Ksitipala, Vinayakapala, Herambapala and Uttarapatha Swami.[3]
It seems that Indra III's campaign did not influenced Kannauj much and Mahipala I soon revived Kannauj as court poet Rajasekhara calls him Maharajadhiraja of Aryavarta. According to Kavyamimansa[4] of Rajasekhara, Mahipala's reign extended from the upper course of the river Bias in the northwest to Kalinga or Orissa in the south-east, and from the Himalayas to the Kerala or Chera country in the far south.[5]
Mahipala occupied territories up to Narbada is evident from Partabgarh inscription, which inform about his son Mahendrapala II ruling at Ujjain in 946 AD. R. S. Tripathi asserts that as Mahendrapala II is not credited with any achievement so it must have been Mahipala I who recovered Ujjain.[6]
Closing days of Mahipala was again disturbed by attacks of Rashtrakutas on northern India as the Deoli and Karhad plates of Krisna III, while praising his achievement in the style of inflated panegyric, informs that by hearing conquest of southern regions, the hope about Kalanjara and Citrakuta vanished from the heart of the Gurjara.[7]
Arab chronicler Al-Masudi describes about Mahipala I as follows:
| “ | The ruler has four armies according to the four quarters of the wind. Each of them numbers 700,000 or 900,000 men. He has large armies in the garrisons on the north and on the south; on the east and on the west, for he is surrounded on all sides by warlike rulers.[8] | ” |
Mahipala I, whom Kanarese poet Pampa expressly calls "Gurjararaja"[9], carried forward the work of his ancestors. He also built the Sas-Bhau temples in Gwalior which was devoted to God Vishnu (Sahastrabahu) but over the years known as Sas-Bahu temple.[10]
| Sas-Bahu temple | Small Sas Bahu temple |
These are twin temples adjoining each other both dedicated to God Vishnu (Sahastrabahu) but over the years got known as Sas-Bahu Temple. It was built by Raja Mahipal and got completed in 1093 A.D as per the Sanskrit inscription written. The doorway depicts trinity, i.e. Lord Bramha, Vishnu and Shiva. The temples are architectural marvels. Large slabs of sandstone are balanced over each other in slanting positions.[10][11]
| Preceded by Bhoj II (910–913) |
Gurjara Pratihara Emperor 913–944 CE |
Succeeded by Mahendrapala II (944–948) |