Paramara dynasty

Paramaras of Malwa
9th or 10th century CE–1305 CE
Map of Asia in 1200 CE. Paramara kingdom is shown in central India.
Capital		Dhar
Languages		Sanskrit, Prakrit
Religion		Shaivism
Government		Monarchy
King
•	possibly 9th century CE	Upendra
•	c. 1010-1055 CE	Bhoja
•	died 1305 CE	Mahlakadeva
Historical era		Classical India
•	Established	9th or 10th century CE
•	Disestablished	1305 CE
Preceded by Succeeded by Gurjara-Pratihara Delhi Sultanate
Today part of		India

The Paramara dynasty (IAST: Paramāra) were an Indian dynasty that ruled Malwa and surrounding areas in west-central India between 9th and 14th centuries. The medieval bardic literature classifies them among the Agnivanshi Rajput dynasties.

The Paramara dynasty was established in either 9th or 10th century. The earliest extant Paramara inscriptions, issued by the 10th century ruler Siyaka, have been found in Gujarat and suggest that he was a vassal of the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta. Around 972 CE, Siyaka sacked the Rashtrakuta capital Manyakheta, and established the Paramaras as a sovereign power. By the time of his successor Munja, the Malwa region in present-day Madhya Pradesh had become the core Paramara territory, with Dhara (now Dhar) as their capital. The dynasty reached its zenith under Munja's nephew Bhoja, whose kingdom extended from Chittor in the north to Konkan in the south, and from the Sabarmati River in the west to Vidisha in the east.

The Paramara power rose and declined several times as a result of their struggles with the Chaulukyas of Gujarat, the Chalukyas of Kalyani, the Kalachuris of Tripuri and other neighbouring kingdoms. The later Paramara rulers moved their capital to Mandapa-Durga (now Mandu) after Dhara was sacked multiple times by their enemies. Mahalakadeva, the last known Paramara king, was defeated and killed by the forces of Alauddin Khilji of Delhi in 1305 CE, although epigraphic evidence suggests that the Paramara rule continued for a few years after his death.