Thread by @thatpurvanchali

The Khayaravala Dynasty of Rohtasgarh and Japila, A thread- (1/22)
#Bihar #Rohtasgarh

The Khayaravala’s were the feudal chiefs of Rohtasgarh (modern day Rohtas district of Bihar) and nearby areas under the Gahadhavala’s of Varanasi.
(2/22)

In today’s world only six inscriptions remain which make up for the last remaining reliable sources for the history of this dynasty.
These are -
1.Phulwaria rock inscription of Mahanayaka Pratapadhavala(undated)
2.Tutrahi falls rock inscription of Mahanayaka Pratapadhavala
3/22

3. Phulwaria rock inscription of Mahanayaka Pratapadhavala(V.S. 1225)
4. Tarachandi rock inscription of Mahanayaka Pratapadhavala(V.S. 1225)
5. Son-East bank copper plate inscription of King Udayaraja and Indradhavala(V.S. 1254)
6. Rohtasgarh inscription of King Sri-Pratapa(4/22)

Mahanayaka Pratapadhavala happens to be the most famous personality of this dynasty as he was a person with an extremely great influence as well as most inscriptions through which we know about this dynasty were written during his reign.(5/22)

A total of five inscriptions dedicated to this dynasty have been found in Rohtasgarh region or in the nearby area of Turathi falls(Tilothu Disctrict, Bihar). (6/22)

The only copper plate inscriptions dedicated to this royal house comes from Son(east bank) where Mahanayaka Pratapadhavala has been mentioned as Lord of Japila. Japila has been identified as the area of Japla in Palamau District. (7/22)

In-short as per all available information regarding the dynasty its territories extended from the region of Rohtasgarh and Khargarh in Shahbad District, North Eastern Husainabad in Palamau and small part of Nabinagar along the east bank of Son river in Gaya district. (8/22)

Inscriptional study-
The Tarachandi Rock inscription of Mahanayaka Pratapadhavala
This happens to be the most impostant inscription of the dynasty considering the fact that the name of their overlord is revealed. (9/22)

This inscription begins with Mahanayaka Pratapadhavala making a factual statements for all of his descendants regarding how few people bribed Deu an officer of King Vijayachandra(Son of King Gonvindachandra) of the Gahadhavala dynasty and forged fake documents to show their grant

-for the villages of Kalahandi and Vadayila. He also mentions how no land belonged to them and they(the king’s descendants) should still collect whatever due is remaining from those two villages. The inscription ends with the name Maharajaputra-sri-Satrughanasya. (11/ 22)

This inscription proves the fact that Pratapadhavala was a feudal of King Vijayachandra of Gahadhavala dynasty and King Vijayachandra could actually grant the lands of Pratapadhavala to others. (11/22)

This inscription also shows the extremely high Influence of Pratapadhavala by calling him Mahayanaka (Lord) and his son Satrughna as “Maharajaputra” which evidently is a royal title. (12/22)

The Phulwaria inscription of Mahanayaka Pratapadhavala(undated)-
This inscription of Mahanayaka records the pilgrimage of his accompanied by his family the name of which is given by “Khayaravala-vamsa” (13/22)

which is also known known as Khadirapala as mentioned in the Son East Bank inscription found in whose lineage was born Sadhva. Son of Sadhva was Ranadhavala who was the father of Pratapadhavala. As per the East bank copper plate inscription of Udayaraja and Indradhavala. 14/22

King Pratapadhavala was succeeded by his son Sri-Sahasa whose sons were Vikrama and Indradeva(Indradhavaladeva). (15/22)

King Indradhavaladeva(brother of King Vikrama) is to said to have expanded his kingdom through warfare. One of the titles he held was “Mahanarpati” implying his highly influential status. (16/22)

During the Muslim conquests in the region Gahadhavala dynasty was defeated by the invading armies but the hilly Hindu kingdoms remained unbreachable making them to form small independent kingdoms tho for a small period of time. (17/22)

The scion of Khadirapala dynasty Sri-Pratapa of Rohtasgarh inscription dated V.S. 1279 mentions a certain Madhava who had defeated the Yavanas(Yavanas in the context are then muslims)-
“Yavana-dalana-lila-mamsalaih sviryasobhir dhavalayati dharitrim Sri-Pratapa-ksitindre” (18/22)

However the details regarding their struggle against the Yavanas is not available much except this very inscription but its very much evident that the Khayaravala chiefs successfully resisted the invading Muslim army even when Iltutmish was the Sultan of Delhi. (19/22)

This was all for the topic of Khayaravalas of Rohtasgarh. As Biharis we should always spread awareness about our culture and kings so as to ensure our future generations shall spread their influence in this world of ours as proud Biharis and (20/22)

would never try to hide their identity which has become a common trend nowadays amongst people of Bihar who migrate to other states. Be proud, Be unapologetic. Thanks for reading it till here. RT if you liked it. (22/22)

Also note the dates for inscription number 2 and 6 are V.S. 1214 and V.S. 1279 respectively.

Sources used,
Epigraphia Indica Volume 4
Epigraphia Indica Volume 23
Epigraphia Indica Volume 34
The Khayaravala Dynasty by Dr. Rama Niyogi

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