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Govinda Chandra
Govind Chandra was one of the most powerful kings of the dynasty.

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Madanpala was succeeded by his son, Govind Chandra in 1114 A.D. He is supposed to be the most powerful king of his dynasty. He had proved his ability during the lifetime of his father who had given all the powers of administration in his lifetime. When he was yuvraj, he had defeated and killed Masuda it`s senapati, Haziba Tugatagina. On his accession to the throne, he followed an imperialistic policy.

Nave Rajyagana: No account of his kingdom is found in history. According to some historians, it meant the Gandhipura of Gopala. According to some other historians, Govinda Chandrahad established his authority over the region between Ghaghara and Dandaka after defeating Kirtipala and this region is referred as Nava rajya. According to the third group of historians. Govinda Chandra had conquered the nine mandals of jambu islands and had established his authority there.

Conquest over Kalachura dynasty: Some evidence has been found which indicate that Govinda Chandra had defeated the Kalachuras and had conquered some of their areas. On the basis of inscription, it can be said that Govinda Chandra had conquered some regions in the south of Yamuna River and had incorporated them in his empire.

Conquest over palas: Lara and Manera inscriptions indicate that Govinda chandra had issued a grant from Muddagagiri. This area was previously under the authority of the Palas. Some other inscriptions indicate that this conquest was temporary to some extent.

War with the Chandelas: The Chandela king Jayavanaan ruled from 1115 to 1120 A.D. An inscription found at a place called Chhatarpur near Kanpur indicates that Govinda Chandra conquered this region, which was previously under the Chandela kings. But an inscription of Madana Varrnan of 1147 A.D. indicates that perhaps had again established their authority over Chhatarpur.

Conquest of Dasharna: Dasharna region of the eastern Malava was under the authority of the Parmara king Yashovarman. This drama of `Rambhamanjari` indicates that Govinda Chandra had conquered it from the Parmara king. On the day of the conquest of Dasharna, a grandson of Govinda Chandra was born. Eventually in memory of this victory he was named as Jaya Chandra.

Relations with other states: Govinda Chandra endeavored to have friendly relations with other states. It has been learnt from `Raja-tarangini` that he had friendly relations with king Jai Singh of Kanyakubja. He also had his representative in the council of Kashmiri scholars and chiefs. An inscription found at Trichanapalli district indicates that there were friendly relations between the Gahadvalas and the rulers of Tanjaur. An inscription of Ratanpur indicates that Tummend king Jajjaladeva I had friendly relations with Govind Chandra as well.

On the basis of his conquests and diplomatic relation it can be said that Govind Chandra was a very powerful and brave ruler. His empire extended from Delhi to Monghyr and from the Terai of Himalaya to the river Yamuna in the south. The kings of Tomara, Gopala and Rashtrakuta dynasties were ruling as Samanta kings under him. During his reign of forty years, Gahadvalas Empire reached its zenith. A large number of coins made of gold, silver and copper of his reign have been found.

Literature: Literature had also made progress during the reign of Govinda Chandra. A famous book on law i.e. nyaya named `Kratyakalpataru` was written by his minister Lakshmidhar. Besides `Yavahara kalpataru`, `Davakalpatru`, `Rajadharma kalpataru` and `Vivad kalpataru` are other works of his regime. But these books are not available as of today.

Muslim invasions: An inscription of Sarnath, which belongs to the period when Govind Chandra was ruling, states that Govind Chandra took birth as Hari Bhagavan to defend Varanasi from the invasions of the Muslims. It is possible that Govindachandra might have defended Varanasi from the attacks of sultan of Gazani or his governors and therefore, he has been described as a form of Hari Bhagavan.

His family: He had four wives whose names were Nainakali Devi, Goshala Devi, Kumar Devi and Basanta Devi.

Govinda Chandra had three sons and the names can be mentioned as Asphota Chandra, Rajya Paldeva and Vijaya Chandra. After the death of Govinda Chandra the name of the first two sons is not found and the third son, Vijaya Chandra ascended the throne of his father.


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