Paramardi (reigned 1165-1203 CE) or Parmal was a king of central India's Chandela dynasty. He ruled the Jejakabhukti region (Bundelkhand in present-day Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh) as the last powerful Chandela king. He was defeated by Prithviraj Chauhan, who raided the Chandela capital Mahoba between 1182-1183 CE. Over the next few years, Paramardi regained Chandela power, but was defeated by the Ghurid general Qutb al-Din Aibak around 1202-1203 CE. In this article, we will discuss Parmal - Rulers of Chandela Dynasty which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Gold coin of Paramardi or Parmal

Parmal - Background

• According to Paramardi's Bateshvar inscription, he succeeded his father Yashovarman. Other Chandela inscriptions (including his own) indicate that he succeeded his grandfather Madanavarman.
• Yashovarman may have ruled for only a short time or did not rule at all because he died while Madanavarman was still alive.
• Paramardi ascended the throne at the age of five, according to the Parmal Raso. This claim appears to be supported by an Ajaygarh inscription, which states that Paramardi was a leader even as a child.
• Inscriptions refer to him as Paramardi-deva. In medieval bardic legends such as Alha-Khand, he is referred to as Paramala or Parimala.
• He is also known as Paramardidev, Parmar, Paramal Deo, or Parimal Chandel in modern parlance (because of schwa deletion).
• Srimat Paramardi is the name of a gold coin issued by him that depicts a seated goddess.

Parmal - During his Reign

• Paramardi was the last of the powerful Chandela rulers, and his name appears in several legends, including Paramala Raso (Parmal Raso or Mahoba Khand), Prithviraj Raso, and Alha-Khand (Alha Raso or Ballad of Alha).
• While these texts are based on historical events, much of the content has been embellished in order to glorify either Prithviraj Chauhan or Paramardi.
• As a result, these texts are of dubious historicity, and much of Paramardi's reign is shrouded in mystery.
• Several Chandela inscriptions mention Paramardi as well, but with little historical context.
• The Semra copper-plate inscription, for example, vaguely lauds him as someone who surpassed Makaradhvaja (the god of love) in attractiveness, the ocean in depth, the lord of heaven in majesty, Brihaspati in wisdom, and Yudhishthira in truthfulness.
• The Baghari (Bateshvar) stone inscription mentions military victories and other kings who bowed to him, but does not name any of them.
• In the Ajaygarh inscription of his grandson's wife Kalyanadevi, he is described as a universal sovereign whose enemies were pitied.
• Historical evidence does not support such claims of extensive conquests.

Parmal - Early Career

• Inscriptions from Paramardi's reign were discovered at Semra (1165-1166 CE), Mahoba (1166-1167 CE), Ichhawar (1171 CE), Mahoba (1173 CE), Pachar (1176 CE), and Charkhari (1178 CE).
• The imperial titles for him are used in all of these inscriptions:
  • Paramabhattaraka-Maharajadhiraja-Parameshvara
  • Parama-Maheshvara
  • Shri-Kalanjaradhipati
  • Shrimanmat Paramardideva.
• This suggests that, early in his reign, Paramardi retained the territories inherited from his grandfather Madanavarman.
• According to a 1183 CE Mahoba inscription, the lord of Tripuri fainted whenever he heard songs about Paramardi's bravery. This suggests that Paramardi defeated a Tripuri Kalachuri king, possibly Jayasimha.

Parmal - Battle of Mahoba

• In 1192 Prithviraj III of Chahamana dynasty defeated Parmal of Chandela dynasty in battle of Mahoba.
• However, while Mohammed Ghori was overrunning multan and uchch, Prithviraj III known as Prithviraj Chauhan ascended the throne of Ajmer.
• In 1182 AD serious differences arose between Parmala and king Prithviraj who gave an ultimatum laying certain conditions to be fulfilled by Parmal or to surrender.
• Prithviraj marched against the Chandela empire and made seize of Mahoba.
• Soon, he captured Mahoba despite the brave fight put up by Banafer brothers: Alha and Udal.
• Brahmajit, Udal and the two sons of Jaichand were killed in the conflict. After his victory, Prithviraj sacked the Chandela capital of Mahoba.
• The brave fight given by chandela ensured that it was not an easy victory for Prithviraj.

Parmal - Ghurid Invasion

• According to a Kalanjara inscription, while one of Paramardi's predecessors imprisoned the earthly rulers' wives, Paramardi's heroics made even the divine rulers concerned about their wives' safety.
• As a result, the gods unleashed an army of mlechchhas (foreigners) against him, causing him to succumb to defeat.
• In 1192 CE, Prithviraj Chauhan was killed in the Second Battle of Tarain against the Ghurids.
• The Ghurid governor of Delhi planned an invasion of the Chandela kingdom after defeating the Chahamanas (Chauhans) and the Gahadavalas.
• In 1202 CE, a force led by Qutb al-Din Aibak and accompanied by powerful generals such as Iltutmish besieged the Chandela fort of Kalanjara.

Alha and Udal

• In the 12th-13th centuries AD, Udal was a general in the army of Chandel King Maharaj Parimard Dev Burman (also known as Parmal or Parimal) of Mahoba. He was Alha's younger brother.
• Parmal raised Udal as his own son because he was born after the death of his father Dassraj, a general who was killed in Parmal's service.
• Udal was usually seen riding a horse, while Alha rode an elephant. Both are considered to be among the greatest Mahoba warriors of all time.
• Udal alone had won 22 battles out of the total 52 fought by these. The Alha and Udal chowk is now in Mahoba city. A magnificent statue of Udal has also been erected there.
• Both of these brothers are said to have built numerous structures and temples in the Mahoba district.

Parmal - Administration

• According to the Baghari inscription, Paramardi assigned the burden of government to his prime minister Sallakshana, a Vashistha gotra Brahmin. Sallakshana built temples honouring Shiva and Vishnu. Purushottama, his son, took over the post after his father died.
• One Gadadhara is also mentioned in the Baghari inscription as Paramardi's minister of war and peace (sandhna-vigraha-sachiva).
• According to Bhojavarman's Ajaygarh inscription, Paramardi's Kancukin (chamberlain) was a Kayastha named Gangadhara. Gangadhara and his brother Jaunadhara are said to have fought at Kalanjara, possibly against the forces of Delhi.
• Ajayapala and Madanapala were two Brahmin senapatis of Paramardi, the sons of a former senapati (general) Kilhana.
• Ajayapala was also a senapati of Paramardi's grandfather, Madanavarman.
• Aj Deo (Ajaya-Deva) is mentioned in Muslim chronicles as a dewan who continued to resist the Delhi forces after Paramardi's death.
• Alha and Udala (or Udal) are also mentioned as his generals in mediaeval bardic tradition.
• Other officers mentioned in historical records include Mahipala and Vatsaraja, an amatya.

Parmal - Death and Legacy

• According to the 16th century Muslim historian Firishta, Paramardi was assassinated by his own minister, who disagreed with the king's decision to surrender to the Delhi forces.
• According to Firishta and Fakhruddin Mubarakshah, the fall of Kalanjara occurred in the year 599 Hijri (1202-1203 CE).
• According to Taj-ul-Masir, Kalanjara occurred on Monday, the 20th of Rajab, in the Hijri year 599. However, this date corresponds to April 12, 1203 CE, a Friday.
• Scholars date the fall of Kalanjara to either 1202 CE or 1203 CE, based on their interpretations of historical sources.
• According to the Chandela inscriptions, Trailokyavarman succeeded Paramardi.

Conclusion

Paramardi was a learned man who is credited with writing a eulogy to Shiva that is inscribed on a stone in Kalanjara. He supported a number of academics. Despite being a Shaivite, Paramardi was tolerant of Buddhists, Jains, and Vaishnavites. According to a copper-plate inscription, when he granted a village to a Brahmin, he respected the rights of a Buddhist shrine in that village. During his reign, several images of the Jain tirthankaras were erected in various locations. The most well-known are at the Aharji Jain Tirth near Tikamgarh. Sallakshana, his minister, commissioned a Vishnu temple.

FAQs

Question. Who were the Parmal rulers of the Chandela Dynasty?

Question. What was the significance of the Chandela Dynasty in medieval India?

Question. Who was Parmal and what was his role in the decline of the Chandela Dynasty?

Question. What was the cultural impact of the Chandela Dynasty, particularly under the Parmal rulers?

Question. What led to the downfall of the Chandela Dynasty?

MCQs

1. Who was the most famous ruler of the Chandela Dynasty in the 12th century?

A) Kalachuri Deva

B) Paramardi Deva (Parmal)

C) Harsha

D) Bhoja

2. What is the Chandela Dynasty most famous for architecturally?

A) The Red Fort

B) The Brihadeeswarar Temple

C) The Khajuraho Temples

D) The Qutb Minar

3. What was the outcome of the Battle of Mahoba?

A) Victory of the Chandelas over the Delhi Sultanate

B) Victory of the Delhi Sultanate, leading to the decline of the Chandela dynasty

C) Victory of the Rajputs over the Chandelas

D) Victory of the Chandelas over the Mughals

4. Which of the following was a significant challenge faced by the Chandela Dynasty in the 12th century?

A) Invasion by the Mongols

B) Conflict with the Rajput rulers

C) Repeated invasions by the Delhi Sultanate

D) Civil war within the dynasty

5. The downfall of the Chandela Dynasty is primarily attributed to which of the following factors?

A) Economic collapse

B) Foreign invasions and internal conflicts

C) Lack of agricultural development

D) Decline in trade

GS Mains Questions and Model Answer

Q1: Examine the military and political significance of the Chandela dynasty under the Parmal rulers in the context of 12th-century India.

Answer: The Chandela Dynasty, under the leadership of Parmal in the 12th century, was one of the significant powers in central India. Parmal, the last prominent ruler, is best known for his resistance against the Delhi Sultanate during the period of Muhammad Ghori's expansion. Despite his military efforts, the Chandela kingdom could not withstand the invasions and internal struggles, leading to its eventual downfall after the Battle of Mahoba in 1202 AD. The political significance of the Chandela rulers lies in their military resistance against external forces and their role in shaping the political landscape of central India. They were also known for their cultural contributions, particularly in architecture, with the Khajuraho Temples being a testament to their legacy.

Q2: Discuss the cultural contributions of the Chandela rulers and their impact on Indian art and architecture.

Answer: The Chandela Dynasty made significant contributions to Indian art and architecture, with the Khajuraho temples being the most notable achievement. The temples, constructed between the 10th and 12th centuries, are renowned for their intricate sculptures and architectural brilliance. These temples reflect not only religious themes but also portray the social, cultural, and political life of the period. The Chandela rulers were great patrons of art, and their architectural legacy continues to influence Indian temple architecture. The Khajuraho group of temples is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting the enduring impact of the Chandela rulers on Indian cultural history.

Q3: Analyze the reasons for the decline of the Chandela Dynasty and its absorption into the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer: The Chandela Dynasty's decline can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the Delhi Sultanate’s expansion under Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Iltutmish presented a significant military threat to the Chandela kingdom. Despite Parmal's resistance, the Delhi Sultanate's military superiority and repeated invasions led to the eventual defeat of the Chandela forces at the Battle of Mahoba in 1202 AD. Secondly, internal conflicts within the Chandela dynasty weakened their centralized power, making them vulnerable to external threats. Lastly, the rise of regional powers and the weakening of the Chandela military contributed to the loss of their strategic territories, leading to their absorption into the Delhi Sultanate. This marked the end of the Chandela Dynasty’s dominance in central India.

Previous Year Questions on  Parmal

1. UPSC CSE 2021

Question: Examine the political and cultural contributions of the Chandela Dynasty and the role of Parmal in its decline.

Answer: This question asks to evaluate the political and cultural contributions of the Chandela Dynasty, including the Khajuraho temples and their role in shaping the region's art and architecture. The answer should discuss Parmal’s role in the decline of the dynasty, particularly the Battle of Mahoba and the Delhi Sultanate’s invasions.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: What were the main reasons for the decline of the Chandela dynasty in the 12th century?

Answer: This question seeks an analysis of the factors that contributed to the decline of the Chandela dynasty, with a focus on both external invasions (Delhi Sultanate) and internal conflicts. The answer should assess the consequences of military defeats, lack of central authority, and the role of regional powers in weakening the Chandela state.