Govindachandra (Gahadavala dynasty)
| Govindachandra | |
|---|---|
| Ashva-pati Nara-pati Gaja-pati Rajatrayadhipati | |
| Gahadavala king | |
| Reign | c. 1114–1155 CE |
| Predecessor | Madanapala |
| Successor | Vijayachandra |
| Spouse | Nayanakeli-devi, Gosalla-devi, Kumara-devi, and Vasanta-devi |
| Issue | Asphotachandra, Rajyapala and Vijayachandra |
| Dynasty | Gahadavala |
| Father | Madanapala |
| Mother | Ralhadevi |
Govindachandra (IAST: Govindacandra, r. c. 1114–1155 CE) was an Indian king from the Gahadavala dynasty. He ruled the Antarvedi country in present-day Uttar Pradesh, including the major cities of Kanyakubja and Varanasi.
Govindachandra was the most powerful ruler of his dynasty. As a prince, he achieved military successes against the Ghaznavids and the Palas. As a sovereign, he defeated the Kalachuris of Tripuri, and annexed some of their territories.
The "Vishnu-Hari inscription" recording the construction of a temple during Govindachandra's reign was found among the Babri mosque debris. The authenticity of this inscription is controversial. According to some historians, it proves that Govindachandra's subordinate Anayachandra constructed a temple at the site believed to be Rama's birthplace; this temple was later destroyed and replaced with the Babri mosque by Muslim conquerors. Other historians allege that the Hindu activists planted the so-called Vishnu-Hari inscription at the Babri mosque site, and that the Govindachandra mentioned in it is a different person.
Govindachandra was born to the Gahadavala monarch Madanapala. The last extant inscription from Madanapala's reign is dated 1109 CE, and the first inscription from Govindachandra's reign is dated 1114 CE. Thus, Govindachandra must have ascended the throne sometime during 1109–1114 CE.
His mother was probably Ralhadevi, who seems to have died sometime before 1141 CE. A 1141 CE grant of Govindachandra mentions that it was made on the occasion of the "day of the great queen Ralhadevi".
Diwan-i-Salman, a chronicle by the contemporary Muslim historian Salman, states that the Muslim Ghaznavid ruler Mas'ud III invaded India. According to Salman, the Ghaznavid forces captured Malhi, the ruler of Kanauj (Kanyakubja). "Malhi" is generally identified with Govindachandra's father Madanapala. It appears that the Gahadavalas lost Kanyakubja somewhere between 1104 CE and 1105 CE, and Govindachandra led a war to recover it.
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