Govindachandra (Gahadavala dynasty)
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 | |
|---|---|
| Ashva-pati Nara-pati Gaja-pati Rajatrayadhipati | |
A Kalachuri-style 'seated goddess' coin of Govindachandra (r. c. 1114-1155 CE). 41⁄2 masha, gold. Obv: Four-armed Lakshmi seated cross-legged on lotus on obverse side holding a lotus in the upper two hands.
Rev: Inscription in Nagari script :'Shrimad-Govindachandra'. | |
| 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 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.