| Mihira Bhoja I | |
|---|---|
| Statue of Samraat Mihir Bhoj in the Bharat Upvan (Garden of India) of Akshardham Mandir, New Delhi. | |
| Reign | 836–885 CE. |
| Occupation | Ruler of the Gurjara Pratihara Empire |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Mihira Bhoja I (836–885 CE) or Bhoja I was a ruler of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty of India. He succeeded his father Ramabhadra. Bhoja was a devotee of Vishnu and adopted the title of Adivaraha which is inscribed on some of his coins.[1] One of the outstanding political figures of India in ninth century, he ranks with Dhruva Dharavarsha and Dharmapala as a great general and empire builder.[2]
At its height, Bhoja's empire extended to Narmada River in the South, Sutlej River in the northwest, and up to Bengal in the east. It extended over a large area from the foot of the Himalayas up to the river Narmada and included the present district of Etawah in Uttar Pradesh.[3]
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When Mihira Bhoja started his career reverses and defeats suffered by his father Ramabhadra had considerably lowered the prestige of the Royal Gurjar Pratihar family. He invaded the Pala Empire of Bengal, but was defeated by Devapala.[4] He then launched a campaign to conquer the territories to the south of his empire and was successful. He gradually rebuilt the empire by conquest of territories in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The Chandelas of Bundelkhand acknowledged his suzerainty.[4] Besides being a conqueror, Bhoja was a great diplomat.[5] During his reign, the capital was in Kannauj (present-day Uttar Pradesh), during his period Kannauj was referred as Panchala.
He was a bitter enemy of the Muslim invasions[4] who, according to an Arab chronicler, Sulaiman, maintained a large army and had a fine cavalry.[6] The territories under his rule were prosperous and safe from robbers. His state was rich in natural resources, especially gold and silver mines.[7]
Many temples made by him still survive. Teli Mandir, near Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, marks the presence of Vishnu on earth. The temple's architecture, design and layout features an outstanding fusion of architectural styles: the roof resembles a Dravidian style while the decoration highlights the art of North India.[8][9] He was a scholar and respected learned persons. Raj Shekhar was his court poet.
Bhoja had the reputation of a strong ruler, able to maintain peace in his empire and defend it and to make this task a sacred legacy to his succession. He was succeeded by his son Mahenderpal 1 (c.890 - 910 CE).
Mihira Bhoja finds a mention in the Daulatpura copper plate.
Mihira Bhoja I's epithet was Srimad-Adivaraha (the fortunate primeval boar incarnation of Vishnu) and therefore there is a broad agreement amongst the scholars on the attribution of adivaraha dramma billon coins to him. These coins have a depiction of Adivaraha on the obverse.[10]
Adivaraha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu, wears a long "Vanamala" to right with his left leg raised. Below is a small lion, to the right a sun-wheel (chakra) symbol, a moon symbol and another dumb-bell-like symbol is above and a trident and conch shell on the left and a two-lined inscription Shrimad Adi Varaha, with traces of a stylised fire-altar and two female attendants. Samrat Mihira Bhoja I (836-885 A.D) or Bhoja I was a great emperor of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty of Āryāvarta (undivided India). He succeeded his father Ramabhadra. Emperor Bhoja's kingdom extended to Narmada River in the South, Sutlej River in the North-West, River and up to Bengal in the East. It extended over a large area from the foot of the Himalayas up to the river Narmada and included th...e present district of Etawah in Uttar Pradesh.An Arab chronicler, Sulaiman who visited Mihira Bhoja's kingdom praised him thus: "The king of Gurjars maintain numerous faces and no other Indian prince has so fine a cavalry .He has great riches and his camels and horses are numerous.There is no country in India more safe from robbers." He was undoubtebly one of the outstanding political figure of India in ninth century and ranks with Dhruva and dhampala as a great general and empire builder. National Highway 24 (NH-24) (India) is renamed as "Gurjar Samrat Mihir Bhoj Marg" by chief minister of Delhi to tribute this great emperor.
Samrat Mihira Bhoja I (836-885 A.D) or Bhoja I was a great emperor of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty of Āryāvarta (undivided India). He succeeded his father Ramabhadra. Emperor Bhoja's kingdom extended to Narmada River in the South, Sutlej River in the North-West, River and up to Bengal in the East. It extended over a large area from the foot of the Himalayas up to the river Narmada and included th...e present district of Etawah in Uttar Pradesh.An Arab chronicler, Sulaiman who visited Mihira Bhoja's kingdom praised him thus: "The king of Gurjars maintain numerous faces and no other Indian prince has so fine a cavalry .He has great riches and his camels and horses are numerous.There is no country in India more safe from robbers." He was undoubtebly one of the outstanding political figure of India in ninth century and ranks with Dhruva and dhampala as a great general and empire builder. National Highway 24 (NH-24) (India) is renamed as "Gurjar Samrat Mihir Bhoj Marg" by chief minister of Delhi to tribute this great emperor.
| Preceded by Ramabhadra (833–836) |
Gurjara Pratihara Emperor 836–885 CE |
Succeeded by Mahendrapala I |