Kalachuris of Ratnapura

The Kalachuris of Ratnapura were a central Indian dynasty during 11th and 12th centuries. They ruled parts of present-day Chhattisgarh from their capital at Ratnapura (modern Ratanpur in Bilaspur district). They were an offshoot of the Kalachuris of Tripuri, and ruled as vassals of the parent dynasty for many years.

Kalachuris of Ratnapura

11th century–13th century
CapitalRatnapura
Governmentmonarchy
History 
• Established
11th century
• Disestablished
13th century
Today part ofIndia
  1. ^ Rajiv Kumar Verma 2015, p. 59.
  2. ^ Om Prakash Misra 2003, p. 14.

History

Several inscriptions and coins of the Ratnapura branch have been found, but these do not provide enough information to reconstruct the political history of the region with complete certainty.[1]

According to the 1114 CE Ratanpur inscription of Jajjaladeva I, the Tripuri Kalachuri king Kokalla had 18 sons, the eldest of whom succeeded him on the throne of Tripuri. The younger ones became rulers of mandalas (feudatory governors). The Ratnapuri Kalachuris descended from one of these younger sons.[2] The new branch was established by Kalingaraja around 1000 CE.[1]

Kalingaraja conquered Dakshina Kosala region, and made Tummana his capital. His grandson Ratnaraja established Ratnapura (modern Ratanpur).[3] The inscriptions of Kalingaraja's great-grandson Prithvideva I indicate that he Ratnapuri Kalachuris continued to rule as feudatories of the Tripuri Kalachuris.[1]

Prithvideva's son Ratnadeva II repulsed an invasion by Anantavarman Chodaganga, the king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.[4] The last known ruler of the dynasty was Pratapa-malla. The fate of his successors is not known.[1]

List of rulers

The following is a list of the Ratnapura Kalachuri rulers, with estimated period of their reigns:[5]

  • Kalinga-raja (1000-1020 CE)
  • Kamala-raja (1020-1045 CE)
  • Ratna-raja (1045-1065 CE), alias Ratna-deva I
  • Prithvi-deva I (1065-1090 CE), alias Prithvisha
  • Jajalla-deva I (1090-1120 CE)
  • Ratna-deva II (1120-1135 CE)
  • Prithvi-deva II (1135-1165 CE)
  • Jajalla-deva II (1165-1168 CE)
  • Jagad-deva (1168-1178 CE)
  • Ratna-deva III (1178-1200 CE)
  • Pratapa-malla (1200-1225 CE)

Coinage

The Kalachuri rulers of Ratnapura issued gold, silver and copper coins, which bear the issuer's name in Nagari script. The coins feature four types of design:[6]

  • Gaja-shardula: Depicts a fight between a lion and an elephant. This design occurs on all their gold coins, and some copper coins.
  • Hanumana: Depicts Hanuman in various poses, such as flying, crushing a demon (while sitting or standing), holding a trishula, or holding a flag. Only copper coins feature this design.
  • Lion: Depicts a lion, sometimes with a human head. Featured on copper and silver coins.
  • Dagger: Features a dagger on copper coins.

Hoards of their coins have been found at following places:[7]

  • Sanasari (or Sonsari)
    • 36 gold coins of Jajjaladeva
    • 96 gold coins of Ratnadeva
    • 459 gold coins of Prithvideva
  • Sarangarh
    • 26 gold coins of Jajjaladeva
    • 29 gold coins of Ratnadeva
    • 1 gold coin of Prithvideva
  • Bhagaund
    • 12 gold coins of Prithvideva
  • Dadal-Seoni
    • 136 gold coins of Jajjaladeva, Ratnadeva and Prithvideva
  • Bachchhanda
    • 9 gold coins, plus some other conins
  • Ratanpur
    • 10 gold coins of Ratnadeva
  • Sonpur and Baidyanatha
    • 11 gold coins of Jajjaladeva
    • 9 gold coins of Ratnadeva
    • 5 gold coins of Prithvideva

3 silver coins of Prithvideva were discovered from the Mahanadi riverbed near Balpur. Thousands of copper coins issued by them have also been discovered, including a hoard of 3900 copper coins at Dhanpur in Bilaspur district.[8]

Inscriptions
Sarkhon inscription of Ratnadeva

The inscriptions of the Ratnapura Kalachuri rulers have been discovered at several places in present-day Chhattisgarh:[9][1]

  • Prithvideva I: Amora (or Amoda), Lapha, Raipur
  • Jajalladeva I: Pali, Ratanpur
  • Ratandeva II: Akaltara, Paragaon, Shivrinarayan (or Sheorinarayan), Sarkhon (or Sarkho)
  • Prithvideva II: Dahkoni (or Daikoni), Rajim, Bilaigarh, Koni, Amora, Ghotia,
  • Jajalladeva II: Amora, Malhar (or Mallar), Shivrinarayan
  • Ratnadeva III: Kharod, Pasid
  • Pratapamalla: Pendrawan (or Pendrabandh) and Bilaigarh
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See also
  • Mahamaya Temple in Ratanpur, said to be built by the Kalachuri king Ratnadeva

References
  1. Om Prakash Misra 2003, p. 14.
  2. F. Kielhorn 1888, pp. 137-138.
  3. F. Kielhorn 1888, p. 138.
  4. Hermann Kulke & Dietmar Rothermund 1998, pp. 172-173.
  5. V. V. Mirashi 1957, p. 503.
  6. P. C. Roy 1980, pp. 20-22.
  7. P. C. Roy 1980, pp. 18-20.
  8. P. C. Roy 1980, p. 19.
  9. Rajiv Kumar Verma 2015, p. 59.

Bibliography
  • F. Kielhorn (1888). Rajim stone inscription of Jagapala of the Kulachuri year 896. The Indian Antiquary.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Hermann Kulke; Dietmar Rothermund (1998). A History of India. Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-415-15482-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Om Prakash Misra (2003). Archaeological Excavations in Central India: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-874-7.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • P. C. Roy (1980). "The Coinage of the Kalachuris of Ratnapura". The Coinage of Northern India. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-81-7017-122-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Rajiv Kumar Verma (2015). "Kalachuri Inscriptions : A Reflection of Dwindling Political Power" (PDF). Veethika. 1 (3).CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • V. V. Mirashi (1957). "The Kalacuris". In R. S. Sharma (ed.). A Comprehensive history of India: A.D. 985-1206. 4 (Part 1). Indian History Congress / People's Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7007-121-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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