Mihir Bhoja (c. 836–885 CE), also known as Bhoja I, was a Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty king. He took over for his father Ramabhadra. Bhoja was a Vishnu devotee who took the title of divarha, which is inscribed on some of his coins. As a great general and empire builder, he ranks alongside Dhruva Dharavarsha and Dharmapala as one of India's most notable political figures of the ninth century. In this article, we will discuss the important ruler of Pratihara Dynasty Bhoja I or Mihir Bhoja (836 - 885 CE) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

During Mihir Bhoja’s Rule

• During his reign, the capital was Kannauj (present-day Uttar Pradesh), which was known as Panchala at the time.
• He was a vehement foe of the Arab invaders, who, according to an Arab chronicler named Sulaiman, had a large army and a strong cavalry.
• His son Mahendrapala I succeeded him (c.885 - 910 CE).
• In the early years of his reign, he was defeated by the Palas, Rashtrakuta, and the Kalachuris, but he subsequently made a comeback.
• With the aid of feudatories such as Chedis and the Guhilas, he won victories over the Palas and the Rashtrakuta.
• He is also identified with the king of Juzr of the travel accounts of the 9th century Arab Merchant, Sulaiman, who describes his great military power and riches.
• He was appreciated by the Arab writer for keeping his empire safe from robbers.
• He was called King Baura by another Arab traveler, Al-Masudi.
• According to Arab travelers, the Pratihara rulers had the best cavalry in India.

Conquest of Mihir Bhoja

In 836 C.E., Mihirabhoja ascended to the throne. He was a courageous and powerful king. With Mihirbhoja's accession, a glorious chapter in the history of the Pratiharas begins. He reorganized and consolidated his ancestors' empire, ushering in a period of prosperity for the Pratiharas. He is credited with numerous conquests, the most notable of which are listed below:

Bundelkhanda's Conquest

• Bundelkhanda had gained independence during the reign of Mihir Bhoja's father.
• That is why Ramabhadra was unable to certify and continue Nagabhata's charity in Kalanjaramandal, but Mihirabhoja restarted it.
• This indicates that he re-conquered Bundelkhanda and that King Jayasakti accepted his suzerainty.

Rajputana Conquest

• Inscriptions from Varaha, Daulatpur, and Kahala show that he conquered Rajputana and several other provinces.
• It can also be stated that King Kakkata of the Mandsor branch of the Pratiharas, who was the samanta of Nagabhata, reigned over this region once more. In Mudoggiri, Kakkata had fought against the Gaudas.
• His son, Bahuka, had killed Nandabala and Mayra and defeated the kings of nine Mandals. Bahuka had also gained independence, but Mihirabhoja reasserted control over him.
• The words mentioned in the Pratapgarh inscription confirm Mihir Bhoja's control over the southern portion of Rajputana.
• The Chatasu inscription of Jaipur also informs that Mihir Bhoja had forced Harsha Gupta, who had defeated the Gauda King, to accept his sovereignty.

Conquest of Punjab

• According to the 'Rajatarangini' of Kalahana and the Pahewa inscription, Mihir Bhoja ruled over the Karnal region of eastern Punjab.
• However, it is said that while Mihir Bhoja was fighting in the wars of eastern India, King Sankarvarman of Kashmir took control of this region.
• Even after that, a portion of the Karnal region remained under Mihir Bhoja's control.

Conquest of Western India

• According to one copper plate, one Samanta Balavarman defeated Vishad and killed Jajjap and other kings, driving the Hunas away.

Conquest of central India

• Inscriptions discovered in Gwalior and Deogarh, central India, show that Deogarh, i.e. the Jhansi region and Gwalior region, were governed by representatives of Mihir Bhoja.

War with the Rashtrakutas

• During Mihir Bhoja's reign, the Rashtrakuta kings who ruled over Kannauj were Amoghavarsa and Krishna II.
• Because these were weak rulers, Mihir Bhoja captured Kannauj and expanded his empire all the way to the Narmada River.
• However, Dhruva II, the Gujarat Samanta of Amonghvarsa, eventually defeated Mihir Bhoja in battle and drove him away.
• For several years, the war between the Rashtrakutas and the Bhojas raged on, with both attempting to seize control of the Avanti province.
• Even the last years of Mihir Bhoja's reign were spent fighting in these wars.

War with the Palas

• During Mihir Bhoja's reign, King Devapala of the Pala dynasty was a brave and powerful king.
• According to his inscriptions, he collected tributes and taxes from the kings of the territories stretching from the Himalayas to Vindyachal, and from the eastern to the western borders of northern India.
• Though these descriptions appear to be exaggerated, Devapala's power was so great that it appears that both Bhoja and Palas must have shared victories and defeats in their wars with each other.
• In terms of the final victory, the historians have several points of view. However, according to Gwalior prasasti, Bhoja eventually defeated Devapala's son.

Coins of Mihir Bhoja

• Mihir Bhoja's epithet was Srimad-Adivaraha (the fortunate primeval boar incarnation of Vishnu), and thus scholars generally agree on the attribution of adivaraha drama billion coins to him.
• On the obverse of these coins is a depiction of Adivaraha. Along with the God Adivaraha, there is a solar wheel with spokes in his right and other emblems such as a mace, lotus flower, and conch shell on his left on the obverse. A two-headed serpent is most likely beneath God's feet.
• These types of coins, according to Alexander Cunningham, are only found in silver and copper.
• According to legend, copper coins were originally coated with silver and circulated as silver coins.
• Thakkar pheru, the mint master under Alauddin khilji, mentioned Adivaraha coins in his 13th-century text Dravya-Pariksha.

Conclusion

Mihir Bhoja was a great conqueror as well as a great lover of art and literature. He was a generous patron of both men and letters. Rajasekhara, a poet, adorned his court. As a result, his reign was regarded as the pinnacle of Pratihara dominance. He ruled over a vast empire that included Kathiawar, territories all the way up to Punjab in the north-west, Malwa, and Madhya Pradesh. He had established his authority in Rajputana, and the Kalachuris of Bihar and the Chandelas of Bundelkhand had accepted his rule. He conquered Punjab, Oudh, and other Northern territories.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which title did Mihir Bhoja assume in his coins and inscriptions?

A. Adivaraha
B. Chakravartin
C. Rajarshi
D. Ksitipala

2. Which region did Mihir Bhoja re-conquer during his reign?

A. Gujarat
B. Bundelkhand
C. Kerala
D. Bengal

3. Who were Mihir Bhoja’s main rivals during his reign?

A. Cholas and Pallavas
B. Palas and Rashtrakutas
C. Cheras and Pandayas
D. Rajputs and Sikhs

4. What was the significance of Mihir Bhoja’s cavalry?

A. It was the largest in India
B. It was regarded as one of the best in India
C. It was used only for ceremonial purposes
D. It was defeated by the Arab forces

5. What was Mihir Bhoja’s contribution to culture?

A. He built numerous temples
B. He patronized art and literature
C. He promoted Buddhism
D. He started a university

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Examine the role of Mihir Bhoja in the expansion of the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire.

Answer: Mihir Bhoja played a crucial role in expanding the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire. He consolidated the territories inherited from his father and launched successful campaigns against regional powers like the Palas and Rashtrakutas. His military prowess and strategic alliances helped extend the empire across northern and central India, including regions like Bundelkhand and Punjab. Bhoja's reign marked the zenith of Pratihara power, both politically and culturally, as he also patronized art and literature.

Q2: Discuss the significance of Mihir Bhoja’s conflicts with the Palas and Rashtrakutas.

Answer: Mihir Bhoja’s conflicts with the Palas and Rashtrakutas were pivotal in determining the political landscape of early medieval India. Both the Palas and Rashtrakutas sought dominance over northern India, but Mihir Bhoja’s military campaigns ensured that the Pratiharas maintained control over crucial territories, including Kannauj. While there were setbacks, Bhoja’s resilience in defending his empire cemented the Pratiharas as a major power. His ability to balance warfare and diplomacy was key to his success.

Q3: Analyze Mihir Bhoja’s legacy in the context of early medieval Indian history.

Answer: Mihir Bhoja’s legacy in early medieval Indian history is significant for his military achievements, territorial expansion, and cultural contributions. He was a central figure in the Tripartite Struggle between the Palas, Rashtrakutas, and Pratiharas. His reign stabilized northern India, preventing external invasions and internal fragmentation. Beyond his military achievements, Bhoja is remembered for his patronage of the arts and devotion to Vishnu, which is reflected in his titles and coinage. His reign represents the peak of Pratihara power.

Previous Year Questions on Mihir Bhoja

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Which dynasty did Mihir Bhoja belong to?
A. Cholas
B. Pratiharas
C. Palas
D. Rashtrakutas

Answer: B

Explanation: Mihir Bhoja belonged to the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, which was a dominant power in northern India during the 9th century.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2016 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Discuss the Tripartite Struggle and the role of Mihir Bhoja in maintaining Pratihara dominance.

Answer: The Tripartite Struggle was a prolonged conflict between the Palas, Rashtrakutas, and Pratiharas over control of Kannauj, a strategically important region in northern India. Mihir Bhoja played a key role in this struggle, leading the Pratihara forces to defend their territory against the Rashtrakutas and Palas. His military campaigns and alliances enabled the Pratiharas to maintain their dominance in northern India, making them one of the strongest powers of the time.