Ajayaraja II

Ajayaraja II
King of Sapadalaksha
Reign	c. 1110-1135 CE
Predecessor	Prithviraja I
Successor	Arnoraja
Consort	Somalladevi
Issue	Arnoraja
Dynasty	Chahamanas of Shakambhari
Father	Prithviraja I

Ajayaraja II (r. c. 1110-1135 CE ) was an Indian king belonging to the Shakambhari Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the Sapadalaksha country, which included parts of present-day Rajasthan in north-western India. He defeated the Paramaras of Malwa, and also repulsed the Ghaznavid invasions after losing some part of his territory to them. The establishment of the Ajmer city is attributed to him.

Ajayaraja succeeded his father Prithviraja I on the Chahamana throne. He was also known as Salhana. The Prabandha Kosha and Hammira Mahakavya call him Alhana, which appears to be a variant of Salhana.

He married Somalladevi, who is also known as Somaladevi, Somalekha or Somelekha.

The 12th century text Prithviraja Vijaya states that Ajayaraja II established the city of Ajayameru (modern Ajmer). Historian Dasharatha Sharma notes that the earliest mention of the city's name occurs in Palha's Pattavali, which was copied in 1113 CE (1170 VS) at Dhara. This suggests that Ajmer was founded sometime before 1113 CE. A prashasti (eulogistic inscription) issued by Vigraharaja IV found at Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra states Ajayaraja II (Ajayadeva) moved his residence to Ajmer.

The later text Prabandha-Kosha states that it was the 8th century king Ajayaraja I who commissioned the Ajayameru fort, which later came to be known as the Taragarh fort of Ajmer. According to historian R. B. Singh, Ajayaraja I probably founded the city, as inscriptions dated to 8th century CE have been found there. Singh theorizes that Ajayaraja II later enlarged the town, constructed palaces, and moved the Chahamana capital from Shakambhari to Ajmer.

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