Prithvivarman

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox royalty | name = Prithvivarman | title = Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara | succession = King of Jejakabhukti | reign = c. 1120–1128 CE | predecessor = Jayavarman | successor = Madanavarman | father = Kirttivarman | dynasty = Chandela }} '''Prithvi-Varman ''' (IAST: Pṛthvīvarman; reigned c. 1120–1128 CE) was a king of the Chandela dynasty of India. He succeeded his nephew Jayavarman as the ruler of the Jejakabhukti region (Bundelkhand in present-day Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh).

== Early life ==

Prithvivarman and his elder brother Sallakshanavarman were sons of the Chandela ruler Kirttivarman from the same mother, as stated in the Mau inscription.{{sfn|R. K. Dikshit|1976|p=126}} After Kirttivarman's death, Sallakshana and his son Jayavarman ruled the Chandela king. After Jayavarman abdicate the throne and retired, Prithvivarman became the new king.{{sfn|Sisirkumar Mitra|1977|pp=110-111}}

== Career ==

Like his predecessors, Prithvivarman issued copper coins featuring the deity Hanuman.{{sfn|P. C. Roy|1980|p=xxii}} He is also known from the four later Chandela inscriptions:{{sfn|R. K. Dikshit|1976|p=127}}

* Augasi copper-plate inscription of Madanavarman * Mau inscription of Madanavarman * Ajaygarh inscription of Kalyanadevi (the wife of Viravarman) * Ajaygarh inscription of Ganapati

These inscriptions do not mention any glorious achievements of Prithvivarman. However, this does not necessarily mean that he was a weak ruler; it is possible that he did not adopt an aggressive expansionist policy.{{sfn|Sisirkumar Mitra|1977|p=111}} The Mau inscription states that he handled the hereditary administration well. It also contains a conventional eulogy, describing him as someone who practiced the conduct of the "Golden age" by hating the ill-behaved persons, delighting those worthy, taking lawful wealth and spending it according to the sacred texts, and protecting all beings.{{sfn|R. K. Dikshit|1976|p=127}}

According to the Mau inscription, Prithvivarman appointed Gadadhara as his chief minister. Gadadhara had served as a ''pratihara'' (chamberlain) to the previous king Jayavarman, and his father Ananta had served as a chief minister to the Chandela kings before Prithvivarman. An Ajaygarh inscription mentions Gokula of Gauda family as another hereditary minister of Prithvivarman.{{sfn|R. K. Dikshit|1976|p=128}}

Prithvivarman is given the usual royal titles ''Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara'' in the Augasi inscription.{{sfn|R. K. Dikshit|1976|p=128}} The Ajaygarh inscription of Kalyanadevi compares him to the legendary king Prithu.{{sfn|R. K. Dikshit|1976|p=127}} He was succeeded by his son Madanavarman.{{sfn|Sisirkumar Mitra|1977|p=112}}

== References == {{Reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===

* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f2Et2zZGJPUC&pg=PA61 |title=The Coinage of Northern India |author=P. C. Roy |publisher=Abhinav |year=1980 |isbn=9788170171225 }} * {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a9j9ZJGJOV0C&pg=PA125 |title=The Candellas of Jejākabhukti |author=R. K. Dikshit |publisher=Abhinav |year=1976 |isbn=9788170170464 }} * {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=irHN2UA_Z7gC&pg=PA109 |title=The Early Rulers of Khajurāho |author=Sisirkumar Mitra |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1977 |isbn=9788120819979 }}

{{Chandelas of Jejakabhukti}}

Category:Chandelas of Jejakabhukti Category:12th-century Indian monarchs