The Paramaras
The Paramaras began their political domination as the feudatory chiefs of the Rashtrakutas. They established themselves in the Malwa region with their capital at Dhar. The founder of the dynasty was Upendra. Siyaka Il defied the authority of the Rashtrakutas. During the reign of Khottiga, the Rashtrakuta ruler, Siyaka Il sacked Malkhed. The first great Paramara ruler was Vakpati Munja whose greatest enemy was the Chalukyas Taila II. Munja was a capable commander and defeated big powers as Kalachuris, the Huns and the Guhilas. Both the Chalukyas and the Paramaras were annexing the territories of the disintegrated Rashtrakutas and were close rivals of each other. Munja successfully repulsed the attack of the Chalukyas several times. Munja was put to death by Taila Il when the former launched an aggressive campaign against Taila. Munja was succeeded by his brother Sindhuraja. He was also a capable commander. He is credited with wars with the Huns and the Latas. He assumed the title of Navasahasanka. Bhoja was the greatest ruler of the Paramaras who raised the power of his dynasty to an imperial rank. He is known as a great scholar as well as an able commander. Bhoja was the greatest scholar king of India. He is called Kaviraja in an inscription and is said to have authored about two dozen of books on a variety of subjects. Bhoja's còmmentary on the Yogasutras of Patanjali, Ayurvedasaravasya, a work on medicine and Samaranganasutradhara, an excellent work on årt and architecture are some of his prominent literary creations. He expanded Dhara and founded the city of Bhojpura. He also founded a college known as Bhojasala at Dhara The image of Sarasvati installed by him in the main hall of Sarasvati temple of Dhara, shows Paramara sculpture at its best. With the death of Bhoja, the glory of the Paramaras declined. His successors continued as local rulers till about the thirteenth century A.D. The last known Paramara king was Mahlak Deo who was defeated by Alauddin Khalji and executed by him. Thus Malwa became province of the Sultanate.