Page:History of India Vol 2.djvu/387

 KING BHOJA OF MALWA 341 alent to 249 - 50 A. D., and it is possible that the dynasty may have been established at that early date, but noth- ing substantial is known about it before the ninth century. VI PARAMARAS OF MALWA The Paramara dynasty of Malwa, the region north of the Narmada, anciently known as the kingdom of Ujjain, is specially memorable by reason of its associa- tion with many eminent names in the history of later Sanskrit literature. The dynasty was founded by a chief named Upendra, or Krishnaraja, at the beginning of the ninth century, when so many ruling families attract notice for the first time, and lasted for about four centuries. The seventh raja, named Munja, who was famous for his learning and eloquence, was not only a patron of poets, but was himself a poet of no small reputation, and the anthologies include various compositions attrib- uted to his pen. The authors Dhanamjaya, Dhanika, and Halayudha were among the distinguished scholars who graced his court. His energies were not solely devoted to the peaceful pursuit of literature, however, as the Chalukya King Taila EC was defeated by him sixteen times. The seventeenth attack failed, and Munja, who had crossed the Godavari, Taila 's northern boundary, was defeated, captured, and executed about 995 A. D. The nephew of Munja, the famous Bhoja, ascended the throne of Dhara, which was in those days the capital