Solankiyugin Itihas Na Ketlak Upekshit Patro - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Solankiyugin Itihas na Ketlak Upekshit Patro" by M. A. Dhaky:

This article, "Some Neglected Personalities of Solanki Era History" by M. A. Dhaky, aims to shed light on significant political figures of the Solanki period whose contributions have been overlooked or minimally acknowledged by historians. This oversight is often attributed to a lack of awareness of crucial original sources or insufficient research during the writing process. The author intends to present information about three such individuals to ensure they receive due recognition in future historical accounts.

These three figures were prominent and authoritative officials during the reign of Chalukya king Bhima II (1178-1242 CE). They are: Dandnayak Abhay, Rajapradhan Jagdev Pratihar, and Mahapratihar Somarajdev. The discussion will begin with Somaraj for simplicity.

Mahapratihar Somarajdev:

Somaraj is mentioned in a copperplate inscription from Samvat 1266 (Sinha Samvat 96 = 1210 CE) as Mahapratihar of Saurashtra Mandala during the reign of Maharaj Bhima II.
While extensive research on this specific Somaraj has not been conducted, the author suggests that this Mahapratihar is likely the same person as Somarajdev, the author of the highly acclaimed but previously unknown musical treatise, Sangitaratnavali.
The author of Sangitaratnavali, Subhat Somaraj, identifies himself as belonging to the Chapotkata dynasty and holding the esteemed position of "Pratihar Churamani" (crest-jewel of the Pratiharas) under the Chalukya rulers. He dedicates Sangitaratnavali to the learned assembly, highlighting his artistic and intellectual prowess.
Further evidence from the text confirms his connection to the "Chuluknripati" (Chaulukya king) and the Chapotkata lineage, particularly in relation to the king's admiration for his musical skills.
The concluding remarks of the Sangitaratnavali explicitly identify the "Chuluknripati" as Bhimanripa, the "Chaulukya Churamani," and Somaraj also describes himself as knowledgeable in elephant management or as the head of the elephant stables.
The author of Sangitaratnavali clarifies in the "Gita Adhyaya" that the Bhima mentioned is indeed Bhima II, not Bhima I. He also reveals that he is the son of Jagdev Pratihar, who served as the Pratihar for Ajaypal.
The text states that Ajaypal was the predecessor of Bhal Mulraj and the father of Bhima II.
Somaraj further describes his father, Jagdev, as one who "humiliates the glory of the Hammira" (likely referring to a military victory) and possesses a strong and sharp sword. He reiterates his identity as the son of Jagdev, a Pratihar serving Bhimanripa.
The compilation of Sangitaratnavali is dated by its collector, Ramchandra Kavi, to 1180 CE in one instance and around 1200 CE in another. The author suggests the work was likely composed during the early career of Bhima II. Somaraj may have been the head of the elephant stables before his appointment as Mahapratihar in Saurashtra before 1210 CE.
Sangitaratnavali is considered one of the finest works on Indian music. It covers general aspects of music in the first chapter, followed by discussions on musical modes, prabandha singing, margi styles of ragas and bhashas, desi ragas, rhythmic cycles (tal), and musical instruments in the subsequent chapters. The work is composed in elegant Sanskrit with complex compound words.
This work by Somaraj is a valuable contribution to the Maru-Gurjar tradition and a significant offering from Pratiharachudamani Somarajdev and the Solanki era to Gujarat's cultural history. Somaraj's own merits, coupled with his father Jagdev's prominent position in Bhima II's administration, likely provided him with opportunities and a favorable status in court. Somaraj's detailed self-introduction, along with that of his lineage and father, lends significant authenticity and value to his accounts.

Rajapradhan Jagdev Pratihar:

Two notable events concerning Jagdev Pratihar are found in the Khartargachha-Brihad Gurvavali (Part 1) by Jinepala Upadhyay, a disciple of Acharya Jinpatisuri, written around 1249 CE. These accounts are considered highly reliable as they were recorded by a contemporary author.
In 1188 CE, when Jinpatisuri was in Anhilwad Patan, he suggested to the renowned millionaire merchant Abhay Kumar (also known as Vasaha Abhad in some prabandhas) that he obtain a royal decree to facilitate the pilgrimage of the Ajmer Sangh to the Tirthas of Ujjayant and Shatrunjaya. Shethi Abhay met with Rajapradhan Jagdev, secured the order, and dispatched it to the Ajmer Sangh. Following this, the Suri embarked on the pilgrimage with the Sangh.
The second incident relates to Jinpatisuri's stay in Ashapalli upon returning from the pilgrimage. During this time, the Suri engaged in a debate with Pradyumnacharya regarding the validity of a consecration ceremony performed by a monk from Udayan Vihara. After Pradyumnacharya's defeat, his supporter, Dandnayak Abhay, issued an order in the name of King Bhima II, prohibiting the Sangh of Sapada-laksha from leaving Ashapalli and surrounding their encampment with a hundred soldiers.
During this period, Jagdev Pratihar, who was with the Gurjar army towards Malwa, was sent a message by horse. The message sought permission to plunder the Sangh and confiscate Gujarat's treasury. In response, an angered Jagdev wrote, "I have made peace with Prithviraj with great effort. If you lay hands on the people of Sapada-laksha, I will sew you into the belly of a donkey." Consequently, Dandnayak Abhay lifted the fourteen-day siege and respectfully allowed the Sangh to depart.
The Gurvavali provides a dated note of 1189 CE following this event, suggesting the incident occurred in the early months of that year. These accounts confirm Jagdev Pratihar's authority and presence in 1188-1189 CE.
It appears Jagdev participated in defeating the army of Sultan Mojuddin, which invaded Gujarat during the reign of Bal Mulraj, or fought against an Amir (Hammir) of Sindh. He served both Ajaypal and Bhima II, and during the early years of Bhima II's reign, he held a position of Rajapradhan that allowed him to assert authority over the Dandnayak.

Dandnayak Abhay:

Further investigation into the Dandnayak Abhay mentioned above yields additional facts. A prologue to a palm-leaf manuscript of the Dashavaikalika commentary, written in Ashapalli in 1192 CE, states that Dandnayak Abhay was in office at that time. This indicates that he remained Dandnayak in Ashapalli or Karnavati even three to four years after the events described earlier.
The article raises the question of whether the "Danddhip Abhay" mentioned in prabandhas as "Danddhip Abhay" or "Abhud" (associated with Udyog Abhu) and the Dandnayak Abhay of Ashapalli are the same person.
In Somaprabhacharya's Jindharmaprabodha (1185 CE), it is mentioned that the construction of the Ajitnath temple built by Kumarpal in Taranga was supervised by Danddhip Abhay, son of Jasdev (Yashodev). The consecration of the Ajitnath chaitya is dated to 1165 CE in the Viravanshali, which is considered reliable. Considering the extensive time required for constructing such a magnificent Meru temple on the mountain, Dandnayak Abhay must have been in office at least by 1156 CE.
The crucial question is whether the Danddhip Abhay of Kumarpal's time continued in the same position until 1192 CE during Bhima II's reign, and what his status was during Ajaypal's time. The text speculates on how Ajaypal, who was responsible for the demise of Jain ministers like Kapardi, Amrabhatt, and Samantsinh, and who destroyed many Jain temples built by Kumarpal, would have treated someone overseeing the construction of Kumarpal's Jain temple in Taranga.
It is highly probable that Kumarpal's Danddhip Abhay and Bhima II's Dandnayak Abhay were different individuals. Alternatively, he might have reconciled his differences and worked with Ajaypal.

Further Clarifications on Abhay and Abhu:

Some evidence regarding this matter is found in Jinharshgani's Vastupal Charitra (1441 CE). According to Jinharshgani, the minister Vastupal's father, Ashvaraj or Asraj, married Kumardevi, the daughter of Prāgwāṭa clan's Dandapati Abhu. This marriage likely occurred around 1180 CE or shortly thereafter. In other words, the time of Vastupal's maternal grandfather, the Jain Dandapati Abhu, and Bhima II's Jain Dandnayak Abhay, is approximately the same. It is less likely that two Dandnayaks with the same name existed concurrently.
While Jinharshgani traces Abhu's ancestry as Samantsinh-Shanti-Brahm nagardputra Bhu, the father of Danddhip Abhay of Kumarpal's time was named 'Nagad', not 'Jasdev'. This proves that Danddhip Abhay and Dandapati Abhu were distinct individuals. However, given that Bhima II's discussed Dandnayak Abhay and Jinharsh's mentioned Dandapati Abhu were active around the same time, it is highly probable that they were the same person.

Another Jagdev:

An inscription on a Nandiśvara Dwipa stone slab, dated 1200 CE in Girnar, indicates the existence of a Dandnayak named Jagdev during Kumarpal's time. However, this Jagdev appears to be different from the Pratihar Jagdev in terms of time, and more significantly, in caste and religion. This Jagdev, the Dandnayak, has also escaped the attention of contemporary historians, and further research is needed to gather more information about him.

Footnotes:

The article includes several footnotes referencing various historical texts and scholars, providing supporting evidence and bibliographic information for the claims made. These footnotes mention works like "Gujaratna Aitihasik Lekho" by Acharya Girijashankar Vallabhji, "Bharata Kośa" edited by M. Ramakrishna Kavi, "Khartargachha-Brihad Gurvavali," "Vastupal Charitra," and others. The author also clarifies certain points, such as the identity of Abhad, and acknowledges the contribution of Ashok Kumar Majumdar in a different context concerning Dandnayak Abhaydev. It is also noted that besides the mentioned figures, Koshadhip Mokshadev, another significant official of Bhima II's time, wrote an important treatise on music. Lastly, a reference is made to Jagdev Pratihar constructing the Megha-nanda (mandapa) of Somnath in Prabhas, as indicated in a fragmented inscription from the time of Bhima II.