Ajayaraja I | |
---|---|
King of Shakambhari | |
Reign | c. 721–734 CE |
Predecessor | Naradeva |
Successor | Vigraharaja I |
Dynasty | Chahamanas of Shakambhari |
Ajayaraja I (r. c. 721–734 CE) was a king belonging to the Chahamana dynasty of Shakambhari (modern Sambhar). He ruled parts of present-day Rajasthan in north-western India. He is also known as Jayaraja, Ajayapala Chakva or Ajayapala Chakri. [1]
Ajayaraja I succeeded Naradeva as the Chahamana king. [2] According to the 12th century chronicle Prithviraja Vijaya, he was a great warrior who defeated several enemies. [1]
According to one theory, Ajayaraja I founded the city of Ajayameru (modern Ajmer). The Prabandha-Kosha states that he commissioned the Ajayameru fort, which later came to be known as the Taragarh Fort of Ajmer. [3] The Akhbar ul-Akhyar calls it the first hill fort of India. However, the Prithviraja Vijaya attributes the establishment of Ajmer to his descendant Ajayaraja II (12th century CE). [3] According to historian R. B. Singh, Ajayaraja I is more likely to be the founder of Ajmer, considering the fact that inscriptions dated to 8th century CE have been found at Ajmer. [4] Singh theorizes that Ajayaraja II later significantly developed the town and moved the kingdom's capital from Shakambhari to Ajmer. [5] Others, such as Shyam Singh Ratnawat and Krishna Gopal Sharma, believe that it was Ajayaraja II who founded Ajmer. [2]
Ajayaraja I was succeeded by his son Vigraharaja I. [6]