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Vakapati Munja
Vakapati Munja is said to have ruled from 993 to 995 A.D.

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Vakapati Munja is said to have ruled from 993 to 995 A.D. Most of the scholars agree that Vakapati was the real son of Siyaka Harsha.

Name and titles: Vakapati Munja is known by several different names such as Vakapati, Utpalraj, Munja, Amodhavamsa. Besides this he is also known by his titles such as `Sriballabha` and `Prithvi-ballabha` Udaipur inscription gives us information about the conquests of Munja. It is said that he fought wars with the Kalachuris, Chalukyas of Gujarat, Cholar, Chahamanas, Chalkuyas-of Karavatataka, Guhilas and also with the Hunas.

War with Kalachuris: Munja fought with the Kalachuris of tripuri. Yavaraj II of Kalachuri dynasty was the contemporary of Munja. According to Udaipur Prasasti Munja attacked Yuvaraja II and conquered Tripuri. But there are certain evidences which also indicate that Kalachuris ruled in Tripuri. It is possible that after some time Munja might have returned from Tripuri.

War with the Chalukyas of Gujarat: Munja defeated king Moolraja I who fled to the desert of Marwad.

War with Cholas: According to Udaipur Prasasti Munja had also defeated Cholas and Keralas. But Buhlar doubts these conquests. According to Buwer, "It is difficult to understand how he could have been given into contact with them whose countries lay at such a great distance from Malava."

War with Chahamanas: Kantheri inscription indicates that Munja had also defeated the Chahamanas of Naddul. For the conquering area of Abu Mountain up to Kiradu, he appointed his son Aranyaraj as the governor of Abu region. Whereas as the governor of Bhinsala region he appointed his cousin Dusala. It is said that Munja tried to conquer Naddul also but could not get success in his attempt.

War with Guhilas: After defeating king Sakti Kumar of Guhila dynasty of Mewad, Munja plundered his capital Aghata.

War with the Hunas: It can be learnt from Kantheri inscription that Munja had also defeated the Hunas.

Attack on Lata: Lata was situated in the middle of the river Mahi Tapti and Chalukya king. Taila II ruled over it. Senapati Barappa ruled there on behalf of Taila II. Munja attacked and defeated Senapati Barapa.

War with Chalukyas of Karnataka: Munja defeated the Chalukya king Taila II six times but could not achieve complete conquest over him. To defeat Taila II completely Munja attacked him for the seventh time. He acted against the advice of his minister Rudraditya and entered the Taila kingdom after crossing river Godavari. Seeing the foolhardy of his master Rudraditya committed suicide. Munja was surrounded by the army of Taila II and was made a prisoner. Taila II appointed his sister Mrinarvati and they fell in love with each other. The minister of Munja made a plan or conspiracy to release Munja from the prison. Munja disclosed this conspiracy to Mrinarvati who betrayed him and told it to his brother. As a result of this Munja was treated very badly and was killed later on.

The exact date of the death of Munja is not known but according to scholars he died between 993 and 998 A.D.

Cultural progress: Besides being a great general, Munja was also a great scholar and a lover of literature. According to Dr. Isnwari Prasad, "Himself an accomplished scholar Munja patronized men of letters and some others were recipient of his liberal bounty."

Udaipur inscription praises him for his ability and learning. His court poem Padma Gupta wrote `Navasahasank`. The famous scholar Dhananjaya whose famous work is `Dasharupaka` was also the product during his reign. Other prominent scholars such as Halayudha, Sobhana Amitagatic etc. also lived in his kingdom.

Besides being a successful ruler, scholar and a lover of literature Munja is also ranked among the great builders. He built many tanks, the most famous of which is the tank of dhara which is still famous as Munjasagar. Munja built temples in Maheshwara, Ujjain and Dhamapuri.

The end of Munja was very tragic. In this connection Dr D.C. Ganguly has written, "Such was the tragic end of a great king, who was, not only a great general and a great poet but also a great patron of art and literature."


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