'Prithvivallabh' is a Gujarati historical novel by K.M.Munshi, published in 1921.
The novel describes the rivalry between King Munja and Tailap & the love-affair between Munja and princess Mrinalvati.
Historically, the main character of the novel is King Munja ( 972-994 AD), who was the king of Paramara dynasty ruling parts of Central and Western India.
Munja was from a long line of kings, which was made famous by his illustrious nephew, King Bhoja ( 1010-1055 AD).
Munja, during his kingship made many wars and tried to conquer the Western Chalukyas ruled by Tailap-II (973-997 AD).
Image of a kannada inscription of Tailap
The conflict between Munja and Tailapa has been described in a lost poem 'munja rasa' by Merutunga.
Merutunga describes that Munja initially defeated Tailapa six times and then boldly marched into his territory.
Munja was adviced against such an expedition by his minister, who foresaw defeat.
Munja, however, made his plans and crossed the Godavari to make war on Tailap.
The minister jumped into fire after Munja left.
Munja was soundly defeated by Tailap and imprisoned.
The Sangamner inscription of Bhiliama-II proudly boasts about thrashing the goddess of prosperity Lakshmi on the battlefield because she had sided with Munja, & forced her to become a housewife in the palace of Tailapa.
As per Merutunga, during his imprisonment, Munja and Tailapa's widowed sister Mrinalavati fell in love.
Meanwhile, Munja's ministers entered Tailapa's kingdom in disguise, and managed to get in touch with Munja.
They made a rescue plan, which Munja divulged to Mrinalavati, because he wanted to take her to Malwa.
Mrinalavati told her brother about Munja's escape plan.
As a result, Tailapa humiliated Munja by forcing him to beg door-to-door, and then had him executed.
So ended the tragic life of King Munja, who was betrayed by the woman he loved.
Like numerous instances, a king allowed himself to be bamboozled by beauty which in turn back-stabbed him, ultimately.
The story and the novel of K.M.Munshi has been immortalized in a movie of the same name starring the legendary Sohrab Modi and Durga Khote in 1943.
A Tv serial on the legend has been broadcast by Sony in 2018.
Munja also constructed many buildings. He comissioned many temples in Dhar & constructed a lake at Dhar and Mandu, which is still called 'Munja talao' ( Munja's tank)
He was called 'Vakpati'( Master of Speech) & was renowned as a great patron of art & literature.
Domingo Paes was a Portuguese traveller, who visited Vijaynagara in c. 1520 and has left a detailed and vivid description of Vijaynagara and the emperor.
His account is one of the very few descriptions of Vijaynagara by a foreign traveller.
Appearance of Raya
This is what Paes says about the Emperors' appearance:
"The king is of medium height, has a fair complexion and a good figure. He is of cheerful disposition, honours foreigners, receives them kindly and asks all about their affairs.... "
The story is taken from Ramayana, where Ravana, because of his victories against Gods and humans becomes so arrogant that he now wants to lift up the Kailasha, which is an abode of his benefactor God, Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Let's look at the details of this sculpture, which is at cave number 29, Ellora.
The thread would list few of the greatest traitors of India, whose acts allowed foreign rule of the country, for which they were rewarded by the invaders.
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1. Sanggaios or Sanjaya (c. 327 BCE)
Sanggaios was a chieftain under 'Astes' or 'Hastin' during Alexander's invasion.
He betrayed his master and joined the Greeks, who captured the city.
Sanggaios was later given administration of the fallen city by Alexander.
2. Sisicottus or Sasigupta (c. 326 BCE)
Sasigupta was a chieftain of NW of India & helped Alexander during his invasion.
He was an agent of Greek imperialism, who also helped Alexander crush rebellion of Ashvanayas.
He was rewarded with regions like Rock of Aronos to govern.
The thread would detail many of the unknown facts about Gupta empire, which ruled whole of the subcontinent, directly or indirectly, including it's political, cultural, facets.
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1. Gupta Calender
Gupta calender, which started in 319 AD, was officially started by Chandragupta Vikramaditya (375/380-414 AD).
His Mathura pillar inscription of 380, denotes the date of "year 61", corresponding to 319 AD, in which we first come across the Gupta calender.
3. Succession
Gupta emperors got the throne by merit, rather than being the eldest.
Samudragupta may not have been the eldest son of Chandragupta-I, but yet was given the throne.
Similarly, Skandagupta was not the eldest son of Kumaragupta-I, but became an emperor.