27 Facts About Vakpati Munja

Munja, known as Vakpati II, was an Indian ruler from the Paramara dynasty, who ruled the Kingdom of Malwa.

Vakpati Munja is known for consolidating the Malwa kingdom, for patronising poets and scholars and for achieving the military success against almost all of the neighbouring kingdoms.

Vakpati Munja achieved some early successes against the Western Chalukya king Tailapa II, but was ultimately defeated and killed by Tailapa some time between 994 CE and 998 CE.

Vakpati Munja succeeded Siyaka as the Paramara king, ascending the throne around 972 CE.

Except the Chalukyas of Kalyani, Vakpati Munja successfully dealt with his neighbours.

Early during his reign, Vakpati Munja defeated the elephant forces of the Guhilas, and plundered their capital Aghata.

Vakpati Munja's success is corroborated by the Bijapur inscription of Dhavala, which states that Vakpati Munja "destroyed" Aghata, forcing the Guhila king to flee the battlefield and seek Dhavala's protection.

Vakpati Munja defeated the ruler of Gurjara, an ally of the Guhilas.

Jain states that Ujjain must have been conquered by his father Siyaka II since Vakpati Munja issued land grants from Ujjain in 973 CE, just one year after his ascension.

Three Chahamana rulers Shobhita, Baliraja and Vigrahapala died within a period of 14 years, while Vakpati Munja remained the Paramara king.

The Paramara court poet Padmagupta states that the Vakpati Munja "caused the pearls in the necklaces worn by the women of Marwar to dance".

Vakpati Munja was a staunch rival of the Western Chalukya king Tailapa II, whose Karnata kingdom lay to the south of the Paramara kingdom.

The Udaipur Prashasti inscription states that Vakpati Munja attacked Lata, and defeated the Chalukya ruler of that area.

Bhillama's 1000 Sangamner inscription poetically boasts that he thrashed the goddess of prosperity Lakshmi on the battlefield because she had sided with Vakpati Munja, and forced her to become an obedient housewife in the palace of Tailapa.

Meanwhile, Vakpati Munja's ministers entered Tailapa's kingdom in disguise, and managed to get in touch with Vakpati Munja.

Ballala claims that Vakpati Munja died a peaceful death after appointing Bhoja as his successor.

The Gadag inscription of Vikramaditya VI states that Vakpati Munja was killed by Tailapa.

Subhashita-Ratna-Sandoha by the Jain writer Amitagati states that it was completed in 994 CE, when Vakpati Munja was reigning at Dhara.

Therefore, Vakpati Munja must have died between 994 and 998 CE.

However, according to Nava-sahasanka-charita and epigraphic evidence, Vakpati Munja was succeeded by his brother Sindhuraja.

When he came learned that Bhoja was still alive, Vakpati Munja appointed him as his heir.

DC Ganguly theorized that Vakpati Munja had two sons, Aranyaraja and Chandana; he appointed these as the administrators of Abu and Jalor.

Seth speculates that Vakpati Munja had only one son, Chandana, whom he appointed as the ruler of Jalor.

The fact that Vakpati Munja was succeeded by his brother Sindhuraja indicates that he died without any heir.

Vakpati Munja is believed to have excavated the Munja-sagara lake in Dhara and the Munja-talao tank in Mandu.

Vakpati Munja built temples and ghats in Dharmapuri, Maheshvara, Omkara-Mandhata and Ujjayani.

Vakpati Munja was renowned as a great patron of art and literature.