Hemadpant
Hemādri Pandit, popularly known as Hemādpant, was a prime minister from 1259 to 1274 C.E. in the regimes of King Mahādev (1259 - 1271) and King Rāmchandra (1271 - 1309) of Seuna Yādav Dynasty of Devagiri, which ruled in the southwestern part of India.
Origin
Hemadri Pandit was born in a Smārt Rigvedi, Vatsa Gotri, Shākalshākhi Karhāde Brāhmin family, which had its origin in the Hemadri village in the Dakshin Kannada District of Karnātaka. His father, Kāmdeo, had brought him up in Mahārāshtra.
Career
Hemadri was a diplomat, an administrator, an architect, a poet, and a theologian and scholar. During his prime ministership, the Yadav kingdom reached its zenith;[citation needed] soon after his tenure, the Pathan emperor at Delhi, Alāuddin Khilji, and his successors ended the Yadav rule in southwestern India.
Writings
Hemadri wrote the religious book, Chaturwarga Chintāmani. It contains thousands of Vratas along with modus operandi for performing them.
He wrote the medical book, Āyurved Rasāyan, containing descriptions of various diseases and remedies for them.
A small historical book, Hemādpanti Bakhar is credited to him.
He created Mestakas to standardize procedural parts of the state administration.
Cultural contributions
Hemadri introduced use of Modi script for Marāthi (cursive style of writing Marathi) in government correspondence.
He conceived of Hemadpanti architecture of buildings and temples which did not use lime.
He introduced plantation of pearl millet (Bājari) as a staple crop.
He popularized worship of Goddess Mahālaxmi in Maharashtra.
He encouraged and supported many artists and writers like Bopadev and studied their books and presented his own criticism.
References
- Samasta Maharashtriya Brahman Potshakha (Marathi) by Dr. Abhaykumar Savaji
- Hemadri Athawa Hemadpant (Marathi) by Keshav Appa Padhye
- Maharashtra Saraswat (Marathi) by Vinayakrao Bhave
- Aitihasik Prastavana (Marathi) by Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade