Introduction: Medieval India and the Paramara Dynasty

摘要

This collection of essays focuses on the history, literary culture and legacy of the Paramara dynasty. Ruling from central India, with collateral branches of the family at Candravatl, Vagada, Bhinmal and Jalor, the Paramaras constituted an important force in the Indian medieval world. They flourished between the tenth and twelfth centuries and throughout their history entertained high political ambitions. In particular Vakpati Munja (circa 973-95) and Bhoja (circa 1000—55) undertook military campaigns that sought to establish the Paramaras as a paramount power in India. Although frustrated in these aims, they are remembered nonetheless as a great dynasty, representative if not paradigmatic of the vibrant civilisation of the late medieval age.