Jayasimha Siddharaja

Jaisinh
Siddharaj, Tribhuvangand, Avantinath
Siddharaj.jpg Siddharaj Jaisinh
4th Solanki King
Reign	AD 1094-1143
Predecessor	Karnadev I
Successor	Kumarpal
Born	1081
Died	1143 Patan, Gujarat
Spouses	Lilavatidevi
Issue	Kanchandevi
House	Solanki dynasty
Father	Karnadev I
Mother	Meenaldevi
Religion	Hinduism

Jaisinh Solanki (Gujarati: જયસિંહ સોલંકી) was 4th solanki ruler who ruled Gujarat from 1094 to 1143 AD. He is popularly known as Siddharaj Jaisinh (Gujarati: સિદ્ધરાજ જયસિંહ) meaning, Jaisinh the Great Achiever. His rule has been considered golden era of Gujarat. It was the last great Hindu Kingdom in Gujarat before the state fell to muslim rulers of Delhi.

Siddharaj Jaisinh regimed over realm consisting of Sapadkhetra or Sambhar (modern day Ajmer)in North and Konkan in South, Kutch in west till boundaries of Bundelkhand. His kingdom included Kutch, Saurashtra, Laat (modern south gujarat), Mewar, Marvar, Malva and Sambhar. Siddharaj Jaisinh was able warrior, noble king and great admire of art and culture. He has shaped modern boundaries of Gujarat state. He is known for his efficient administration and steps taken for welfare of people.

Biography

Early life

There are different accounts available about early life of Jaisinh, each giving conflicting details. According to some folktales, Jaisinh was born in Palanpur. However, according to popular belief, Palanpur was established after death of Jainsing. So this folktales have no evidences. Most of the historians agree that he was born in Patan, then capital of Solanki dynasty.

At time of his birth, the kingdom of his father Karndev I was passing through tough times. The kingdom was defeated by joint army of Shakambhari and Malva state. Earlier, Patan had witnessed strong attack by Muhammad of Gazani, which has turned his state into ashes. Gujarat had lost control on many of its territory. His father was made tributary to Malva. He was acceded to throne at very young age, probably eight years.

His mother, Minaldevi, was very able administrator and she managed the state as regent with help of council of ministers. Jaisinh has been trained to be great worrier and administrator. He has masted art of war and politics.

Rise to Power

He was coronated in 1096 AD on Dark fortnight Krishna Paksha of Hindu month Posha. Initial years of his rule focused on strengthening his position of rule of dynasty in his family. There was continuous struggle for power between two clan of Solanki, originated from two wives of (Bhimdev_I| Bhimdev I): Bakuladevi and Udaymati. Kingdom was entrusted to clan of Udaymati even though her son was younger. jaisinh marginalised his cousins Tribhuvanpal, grandson of Bakuladevi from politics of Patan. He concentrated powers around his clan and started asserting him as ruler of entire kingdom.

Mindaldevi has managed state with help of her ministers as regent during minority of Jaisinh. Many ministers have obtained significant influence during this period. Jaisinh has to struggle with his ministers to concentrate power in his hand, struggle in which he became successful and was able to take reins of his kingdom as absolute ruler. Many historians believe that Jainsinh has played to political wish of her mother for gathering power for her family. However, it is no doubt that Jaisinh has asserted himself as Ruler of his state before his family, ministers and public.

Consolidation of State

Jaising led many military conquest to expand boundaries and assert his sovereignty.

Initial Victories

In AD 1108-09, he proclaimed himself as sovereign ruler of Gujarat and ceased to be feudal to King of Malva. He titled him as ' Maharajadhiraj Parmeshwar' (Gujarati: મહારાજાધિરાજ પરમેશ્વર) meaning Almighty the Supreme King. He defeated some ruler of deccan and won title of 'Tribhuvangad' (Gujarati: ત્રિભુવનગંડ) i.e Ruler of Three States.

Victory of Saurashtra

There was continuous rivalry between ruler of Saurashtra and Patan for generations. Saurastra was ruled by Kings of Abhir Dynasty during rule of Solanki. Mulraj defeated Abhir King Grahripu and made his tributary. Thereafter, rulers of Saurashtra acknowledged King of Patan as their Prime Ruler and continued as his tributary. However, with weakening of Solanki, their paramountcy on Saurastra lapsed and their ruler become virtually independent.After Jaisinh consolditaed his position in Patan, he decided to tackle issue of Saurashtra. He built many forts on a way to Saurashtra to build pressure on rulers of Saurashtra.

He attacked Junagadh, capital of Saurashtra in 1114 AD. Kind of Saurashtra Ra'Khengar was defeated in war and became captive of Jaisinh. Rule of Abhir dynasty was abolished from Saurashtra and Jaisinh appointed his minister Sajjan as administrator of Saurashtra. He departed practice followed by his predecessor wherein defeated king was reinstated on payment of annual tribute.

However, there are many folk tales about victory of Junagadh by Jaisinh. According to one, father of Ra' Khengar, Ra' Navghan was insulted by Jaisinh. Navghan vowed to take avenge for the same, but he could not complete it due to his ailing health. He called all of his four son and decide to abdicate in favor of son, who promised to fulfill his pledge. His youngest son Khengar promised to do so and hence he was made ruler.

While, Jaisinh was out for military conquest of Malva, Khengar attacked Patan, broke its gate. He also kidnapped Ranakdevi, fiancee of Jaisinh and married to her. Jaisinh was naturally angry against such backstabbing by Khengar and decided to reduce fort of Saurashtra to ashes. He attacked Junagadh fort. The nephew of Khengar betrayed and opened the gates of Junagadh fort. Jaisinh's military conquered entire fort. Khengar and his two son died in war. Jaisinh proposed Ranakdevi for marriage but she refused. She choose to become Sati on funeral pyre of her husband at Vadhvan.

However, the above anecdote has no historical evidences. Evidences suggest that Khengar was held as captive in that war and deposed as ruler of Saurashtra. There are no historical records to suggest that Khengar has wife named Ranak who was earlier engaged to Jaisinh. Further, looking at social conditions prevailing at that time, it was unlikely for any ruler to marry widow.

Jaisinh started Sinh Samvant (Gujarati: સિંહસંવત) (calendar of lion) to commemorate his victory of Saurashtra.

Victory over Barbarak

The North of his kingdom was dominated by various hills tribe. They were isolated from main steam and rules by King Barbarak. Barbarak (Gujarati: બર્બરક-બાબરો ભૂત). He was perceived as demon by local people because of his massive physical strength and appearances. Barbark used to attack nearby towns, places of pilgrimages and looted the people. He had created atmosphere of fear in nearby areas.He was perceived to practise black magic by common masses.

Jaisinh attacked Barbarak in 1123 AD. There was fierce war between two armies. Sward of Jaisinh was broken into pieces in that war. He started wrestling with Barbarak, who was physically more powerful compared to Jaisinh. Jaisinh coiled his hands around neck of Barbarak which made him unconscious. Later, Jaisinh spared his life on request of Barbarak's wife Pingalika or Pingala.

This victory gave title of Barbarkjishnu ({{lang-gu|બર્બરકજિષ્ણુ) literally meaning one who won Barbark. Jainsinh also adopted title of 'Siddhachakravarti' (Gujarati: સિદ્ધચક્રવર્તી) (meaning Emperor the Achiever). This victory helped Jaisinh to win praise from his public. This was not just military victory, but it was significant in nature that his subject started equating him with great Vikramaditya. He was believed to have supernatural power and considered to be invincible. Just like Vikram and Vaital, the folktales of Jaisinh and Barbark became popular. This victory established strongly established him as ruler in common belief. This huge public support had played vital role in his subsequent actions.

Victory over Other Gurjar Kings

Jaisinh has captured entire area of modern Gujarat, namely Saurashtra, Kutch, North and South Gujarat. He decided to strengthen his kingdom by establishing his paramountcy over eastwhile Gurjar rulers around his kingdoms. in AD 1123, he merged area of Gvaliar in his kingdom. Similarly in 1127 AD he won Kota and merged with his kingdom. Jaisinh the defeated his bitter rival Ashwapal or Asharaj of Nadul and made him his meek. He won Marvar and his king became tributory to Jaisinh. He also won Shakambhari state and Kiradu area of Jodhpur state. He has believed to have defeated one king of Sindh. He also won Ajmer and made his king his tributary. To strengthen this alliance, he married his daughter Kanchandevi to Arnoraj Chahman. Later, Arnoraj has helped Jaisinh to win Malva. On the southern side, he defeated Vikramaditya VI and won area upto Konkan.

He had some unsuccessful military attempts in Bundelkhand. But the same has not effected his glory and strength as ruler of west India. He was undoubtedly the great ruler of his time.

Victory of Malva

Malva had been old rival of Solanki and there were frequent war with both kingdoms. In the initial year of his rule, Jaisinh was tributary to Malva. However, after asserting his authority, they have frequent clashes. Malva was ruled by Yashoverma. In AD 1135, Siddharaj Jaisinh attacked Malva. He was assisted by Ajaypal of Ajmer and Arnoraj of Nadul. His attack was so severe that king Yashoverma has to flee from his capital Ujjaini and take refugee in Dhara. However, Siddharaj Jaisinh attacked Dhara and defeated Yashoverma. Jaisinh was determined to kill Yashoverma but he was rescued by Munjal, one of the minister of Jainsinh. Yashoverma was held as captive by Siddharaj and his minister Mahadev was appointed as administrator of Malva. Thus, he put an end of continuous war between two kingdom with fall of Malva. Then Malva state included areas of Chittod and Mevad. These area also automatically became part of Gujarat. This victory has been cherished by his citizen and many playes and poems have been written to commemorate this occasion.

Jaisinh as Ruler

The regime of Siddharaj Jaisinh is considered as golden era of Gujarat. The trade and commerce was at its height. Gujarat became one of the most prosperous state in India and wealth accumulated from all directions. Jaisinh has promoted art and culture in state and invited artists from all of the country. He built many temples, palaces, lakes and cities.

Renovation of Sahastraling Lake

His predecessor Durlabhdev had built a small lake in Patan. Jaisinh renovated it and named as Sahastraling (Gujarati: સહસ્ત્રલિંગ) literally meaning thousands lingas (symbol of Lord Shiva). This was not merely just a lake but was great architectural beauty. He had diverted flow of entire Saraswati river in that lake. Many artificial islands were created on which many temples, palaces, gardens were built. On the bank of this lake, there were thousands temples of Shiva. Apart from these, there were 108 temples of Devi, Yagnashala and Matha for pupils. This was one of the beautiful place in city.

Patan City

He has built around 40 forts from Thane to Vadhvan, This forts were true sources of power. Contemporary history talk in very profound manner about the beauty of his capital Patan. The peak of temples of city has power to delay speed of horses of Sun God. Patan was considered as city of temples.