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Devaraja (also known as Devaraj) was the founder of the Bhoja dynasty, which ruled over the region of Goa and other parts of western India from the 3rd to the 6th century CE.

History

The King Devaraja was the first known ruler who established the Bhoja dynasty in Chandrapur, dating back to the 3rd or 4th century AD ¹.During his reign, he expanded his kingdom through conquests and strategic alliances. The Siroda plate and three copper plates provide valuable information about his reign. These ancient texts feature inscriptions in Sanskrit, with some expressions in Prakrit, indicating Sanskrit's dominance during that period. Circular seal with a relief figure of a swan (though each ruler may have had their own symbol) and Ratification of gifts made by Prabhu Naga Bhogikamatya for spiritual salvation. Interestingly, other rulers, like King Ashankit, had different symbols - his was an elephant, as seen on three copper plates. Devaraja is credited with establishing a well-organized administrative system, which facilitated trade, commerce, and cultural exchange. He also patronized Hinduism and encouraged the construction of temples and other public works.

The Aryanization of Goa commenced under the Mauryan Empire. Ashoka's Girnar rock edicts mention the Pettnikas, Rashtrikas, and Bhojas, who inhabited semi-autonomous kingdoms along the empire's southern border in the Deccan and Konkan coast. According to Puranic tradition, the Bhojas, an Aryan subdivision of Yadavas, settled in the Konkan region around the 3rd century BC. Initially governed by tribal constitution, their leaders eventually became hereditary rulers.

The earliest recorded Bhoja ruler in Goa, King Devaraj, is mentioned in a 3rd- or 4th-century AD inscription found in South Goa. This southern Brahmi script plate, issued from Chandrapur, grants tolls and land to Brahmins Govindswami and Indraswami. The Bhoja rulers of Chandrapur controlled areas beyond Goa's west coast, with records of grants found in Ponda taluka and surrounding Konkan regions.

The Chalukya period began with Emperor Pulakesi II (AD 610). Following King Dantidurga's establishment of the Rashtrakuta dynasty (AD 753), the Chalukyas became feudatories, remaining so until AD 980. Later, the Silaharas and Kadambas also became Rashtrakuta feudatories.

Successors and Decline

Devaraja was succeeded by Raja Asankita who continued to rule over the Bhoja kingdom for several centuries. However, the dynasty declined in the 6th century CE, eventually giving way to other ruling powers.

References

1. Dhume, Anant Ramkrishna Sinai (1986). The Cultural History of Goa from 10000 B.C.-1352 A.D. Ramesh Anant S. Dhume. p. 186.
2. Rao, Vasant D.; Gokhale, Balkrishna Govind; D'Souza, A. L. (1966). Ancient Indian History and Culture. A.R. Sheth. p. 338.
3. Souza, Teotonio R. De (1990). Goa Through the Ages: An economic history. Concept Publishing Company. p. 8. ISBN 978-81-7022-259-0.
4. Couto, Maria (2005). Goa: A Daughter's Story. Penguin Books India. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-14-303343-1.
5. Rao, Vasant D.; Gokhale, Balkrishna Govind; D'Souza, A. L. (1966). Ancient Indian History and Culture. A.R. Sheth. p. 338. The Bhojas of Goa The Puranas refer to the Bhojas as a branch of the Yadava clan . The Bhojas settled at a very early date in Berar.
6. Boland-Crewe, Tara; Lea, David (2003-09-02). The Territories and States of India. Routledge. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-135-35625-5.
7. Times, Navhind (2013-08-03). "The mighty and powerful Bhojas". The Navhind Times. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
8. Shastri, Ajay Mitra; Handa, Devendra; Gupta, C. S. (1995). Viśvambharā, Probings in Orientology: Prof. V.S. Pathak Festschrift. Harman Publishing House. p. 54. ISBN 978-81-85151-76-2.

• History of Goa
• History of Maharashtra
• Indian monarchs