Cultural Contribution of the Parmara Dynasty

The contribution of the kings of this dynasty in the fields of literature and arts is really praiseworthy. Historians have rightly pointed out, "...for there has been no races of kings so learned and so generous towards learning as were the Parmaras who succeeded Vakapati."

Besides being themselves great scholars, the kings of his dynasty were great patrons of scholars. Many famous scholars received their support patronage.

The Parmara king Munja made a great contribution in the field of literature. Udaipur Prasasti throws a flood of light upon his ability. Munja was not only a great warrior and a great poet but he was also a great patron of art and literature. He gathered many scholars around himself. Padma gupta`s `Navasahasanka` is a famous work of his reign. Dhanajaya the author of `Dasharupaka`, dhanika the author of `Yashorupa valika` and commentator of `Dasharupaka` were in the court of Munja. The famous work of Sanskrit, `Tilak-manjari` was also written by Dhanapala during his reign. Another parmara king who made remarkable contribution in the fields of literature was Bhoja whose literary achievements have been praised by famous scholars like Mammata and Kalahana. He has been described as `Kaviraj` in Udaipur Prasasti. According to Buhler: "He deserved the title `Kaviraj` as he had written books on many a subject. Though much of this must have been written by the literary men living in his court yet a king who had such wide sympathies and could inspire scholarship in so many varied fields. Of knowledge must ever remain a remarkable personality in the records of his time."

Bhoja was a great scholar of astrology, kavya, grammar, medical science etc. and wrote many books on these subjects. Besides himself being a great scholars he was also a great patron of scholars. `Bhojashala` of his capital Dharanagari was in fact a university where scholars from far and near used to come. His contribution in the field of education is also great. He opened many educational institutions and honoured scholars.

This Parmara dynasty made a great contribution in the field of literature.