Yashodharman

Yashodharman
Maharaja of Malwa
Religion Hindu

Yashodharman (IAST: Yaśodharman; Devanagari: यशोधर्मा) was the ancient ruler (Maharaja) of Malwa, in central India, during the early part of the 6th century. He belonged to the Aulikara dynasty.[1]

History

The defeat of the Ephalites, or White Huns by King Yasodharman in A.D. 528
Victory pillar of Yashodharman at Sondani, Mandsaur.
Inscription about the Victory pillar of Yashodharman at Sondani, Mandsaur.

The Gupta empire had been weakened by the attacks of the Indo-Hephthalites, known in India as the Hunas, towards the end of the 5th century, which caused it to break up into smaller states. Yasodharman and the Gupta Emperor Narasimhagupta defeated a Huna army and their ruler Mihirakula in 528 AD and drove the Huns out of India. Legend has it that Yashodharman, originally a prince, had lost his kingdom and was saved by a girl while wandering in a forest.It is said that it was a message from this girl, whom he later considered a sister, that acted as a motivation behind his military endeavours. Twin monolithic pillars at Sondani in Mandsaur District were erected by Yasodharman as a record of his victory.[2][3]

Three inscriptions of Yasodharman have been found in Mandsaur. One of these is of samvat 589 (532 AD).

Bijayagadh inscription

The Bijayagadh Stone Pillar Inscription of Vishnuvardhana, locally known as Bhīm kī Lāţ, was erected at Bayana in Bharatpur district for having perfection been attained in samvat 428 on the fifteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of (the month) Phâlguna. The line 3 of Bijayagadh Stone Pillar Inscription of Vishnuvardhana reads as:[4]

"(Line 3.)-On the ceremony of the pundarîka-sacrifice (having been performed), this sacrificial post has been caused to be set up by the Varika, the illustrious Vishnuvarhana whose royalty and name are well established,-who is the excellent son of Yashôvardhana; (and) the excellent son’s son of Yashôrâta; (and) the excellent son of the son’s son of Vyâghrarâta, - for the purpose of increasing (his) splendour, sacrifices, religion, welfare (in the other world), prosperity, fame, family, lineage, good fortune, and enjoyment.

External links

References

  1. ↑ J. L. Jain (1994). Development and Structure of an Urban System. Mittal Publications. p. 30. ISBN 978-81-7099-552-4.
  2. ↑ Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 147-148
  3. ↑ Mandasor Pillar Inscription of Yashodharman
  4. ↑ Bijayagadh Stone Pillar Inscription of Vishnuvardhana
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