King Vikramaditya the Great

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Vikramaditya

Source: Free Press Journal

 

About 850 years ago the "Chalukya- Vikrama Era: was in used in

Karnataka. Vikramaditya, the Sixth came to the throne on the 26th of

February 1077 A.D. The Chalukya-Vikrama Era commenced from that date.

He defeated a number of kings and proved his valour.

 

Vikramaditya was both valiant and able. In spite of constant wars

during his reign, the subjects lived without fear. His motto was to

rule solely for the welfare of the people. In addition to this he was

generous and noble. He treated a king, Jagaddeva by name, with such

affection and grace that Jagaddeva gave up his kingdom and came away

to Vikramaditya's court.

 

Many kingdoms were under his thumb but he used his might to help the

good and punish the wicked. In every way he was worthy to give an era

his name.

 

His greatness came to light even when he was still young. He said no

when the high position of the Yuvaraja was offered to him. Someshwara

the First was Vikramaditya's father. He had three sons Someshwara the

Second, Vikramaditya the Sixth and Jayasimha the Fourth. From the

very beginning Vikramaditya was very bright and bold. His father was

very proud of him. When Someshwara the First ascended the throne he

was surrounded by many enemies in the neighboring states. There was

utter enmity between him and the Chola king Rajadhiraja. They fought

repeatedly. In the end Rajadhiraja died. The other states, too,

attacked the Chalukya kingdom. So, Someshwara realized that it was

not easy task for any one whom ascended the throne to defend and to

retain it.

 

Someshwara always thought that only a hero of heroes could keep the

throne. Someshwara was watching his sons to decide which of them was

fit to be his successor. His eldest son Someshwara the Second was not

a strong man. Vikramaditya was a veritable lion. So the king thought

that he was fit to be his successor. "This boy can defend the kingdom

and protect the people" thought the King Someshwara was growing old.

He thought it would be better if one of his sons became the Yuvaraja

or the Crown Prince.

 

One day the king sent for Vikramaditya. He said, "My boy, you will be

my successor. When I am alive I want you to be Yuvaraja. My burden

will be less, and you too, will gain experience."

 

A lad just on the threshold of youth; the high place of the Yuvaraja

had come to him, unsought. How tempting! How overjoyed should he have

been! But Vikramaditya refused saying that since Someshwara was elder

to him. The King was all admiration for his son. He blessed his son.

The eldest son Someshwara Second became the Yuvaraja

 

But king Someshwara the Second, continued to distrust his younger

brother, Vikramaditya. Because of this distrust, he had not sent his

brother to help the king of Malwa but, instead, himself led the army,

but came back defeated. It was a period of incessant wars. So many

kings were waiting to snap up the Chalukya kingdom. If the king was

not powerful, there was every chance of his losing the kingdom. The

people were not happy in such times. They had to live in the shadow

of danger. They wanted a powerful ruler to protect them. Someshwara

the Second was neither powerful nor interested in his duties. But

Vikramaditya, unlike his brother, was interested in the welfare of

thepeople. Things went from bad to worse in the kingdom. Vikramaditya

thought of taking charge of the kingdom.

 

But this was not easy. After all Someshwara was a king. Even he had

his supporters. Vikramaditya had to act thoughtfully and cautiously.

Some chieftains were loyal to the king, Someshwara. Vikramaditya

thought winning over these persons to defeat brother. He married the

daughter Kadamba Jayakeshi of Goa and won support. He made friends

with some others. Then he assumed the title of "Tribhuvana Malla".

 

Among Vikramaditya's subjects were followers of different faiths—S

haivism, Vaishnavism and Jainism. The king himself was a follower of

Vaishnavism. But he respected at the three faiths equally. The

subjects were at liberty to choose any of the faiths. The king was

god-fearing and generous.

 

In Vikramaditya's, days women held high places and took part in the

administration. Women enjoyed all the necessary facilities education.

They excelled in music, dancing and other fine arts. Besides, they

helped the king in governing the state. His queen Ketaladevi ruled

over Shiraguppe, Kolanoor and other cities. Dronapura was under the

rule of Lakshmi, another queen. Yet another queen, Chandralekha, did

much in the field of education. Mailala Mahadevi built a temple for

the god Malleshwara.

 

The matchless warrior Vikramaditya was also a very generous patron of

education and the fine arts. There were many scholars and poets in

his court. The poet Bilhana came from Kashmir and stayed in his

court. The king honoured this poet with the title "Vidyapati".

Bilhana wrote "Vikramankadeva Charita" in Sanskrit. The poem reflects

his grandeur and the system of administration of Vikramaditya and the

social life of the people. Vignaneswara was another great scholar of

his court; he wrote the famous book `Mitakshara? Vikramaditya built a

city called Vikramapura and constructed a magnificent temple there.

 

Vikramaditya means the Sun of Valour, that is, one who is powerful as

the Sun. Vikramaditya was indeed powerful; and he brought the light

of security and peace too. The people enjoyed peace and prosperity

under this valiant king, who loved his subjects. The capital Kalyana

was rich and prosperous; splendid palaces and beautiful temples and

grand trunk roads made it a magnificent city Vikramaditya became a

model for the rulers of all countries and ages. He showed how

powerful a king should be and how the king should use his power for

the welfare of the people.