Koni

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Author: Laxman Burdak IFS (R)
Masturi on Map of Bilaspur district
Koni-Pali-Masturi in Bilaspur district

Koni (कोणी) is a village in Masturi tahail of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh.

Variants

Jat Gotras Namesake

Location

Koni is a Village in Masturi Tehsil in Bilaspur District of Chattisgarh State, India. It is located 14 KM towards South from District head quarters Bilaspur, 4 KM from Masturi, 119 KM from State capital Raipur Koni Pin code is 495551 and postal head office is Masturi . Itwa ( 4 KM ) , Lawar ( 4 KM ) , Mudpar ( 4 KM ) , Masturi ( 4 KM ) , Manikpur ( 4 KM ) are the nearby Villages to Koni. This Place is in the border of the Bilaspur District and Janjgir-champa District. Janjgir-champa District Akaltara is East towards this place . [1]

History

Koni Stone Inscription Of Prithvideva II - (Kalachuri) Year 900 (=1148 AD)

No. 90 ; Plate LXXIII
Koni Stone Inscription Of Prithvideva II - (Kalachuri) Year 900 (=1148 AD)

Source - Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p. 463-473

[p.463]: This inscription was discovered by Dr. B. Ch. Chhabra, Government Epigraphist for India, in January 1946 at Kôni, a small village on the left bank of the Arpâ, about 10 miles south by east of Bilaspur, the chief town of the Bilaspur District in the Chhattisgarh Division of Madhya Pradesh. The site is described in the following note kindly supplied by Dr. Chhabra. —

'The site of the inscription, with a black granite Shivalinga prominently standing in the centre, lies about half mile west of Kôni. At that point the river Arpâ takes a graceful bend towards the south, thus providing an excellent site for a sanctuary. The one that stood hère in the i2th century was a Shiva temple, as indicated by the surviving linga. The temple is referred to in the inscription by the special designation of the type Shivapanchàyatana. The site consists of a small mound strewn over with brickbats. The protruding bricks had attracted the attention of some villagers, who started digging there and lay bare the linga, the inscribed slab and a number of sculptures. Among the latter, I saw two images, one of Vishnu and the other of Sûrya, and a couple of lintels each with a figurine of Ganesha in in the centre and some carving on either side'. The record is edited here from an excellent ink impression which I owe to the kindness of the Government Epigraphist.1 '

The characters are Nagarî....

1. This inscription has been edited by me in the "Ep Ind , Vol XXVII, pp 276 ff

[p.464]: ....The language is Sanskrit Except ôm namah Shivaya in the beginning and the mention of the date and the ruling long at the end, the record is metrically composed throughout. There are, in all, 38 verses, all of which ate numbered.....

The inscription refers itself to the reign of Prithvîdêva II who belonged to the Ratanpur branch of the Kalachuri Dynasty. The object of it is to record the construction of a five-shrined temple of Shiva by Purushôttama, a minister plenipotentiry (Sarvadhikarin) of Prithvidêva's father and predecessor Ratnadëva II, and the grant of some land in honour of the gods installed in the temple

The record is dated in the year 900 (expressed in decimal figures only) of an unspecified era, without any further details such as month, fortnight, tithi and week-day. The date must evidently be referred to Kalachuri era which was current tn that period in Chhattisgarh. It falls in the reign of Prithvidèva II whose dates rage from K 890 1 to K 915 2. Verse-35 mentions a solar eclipse on the occasion of which Prithvideva II granted a village to the minister Purushôttama. No year is mentioned in connection with this eclipse, but supposing that it occurred in the same year in which the present record was put up, we get some data for verification. According to the epoch of 247-48 AC, the year 900 mentioned in the present inscription will have to be taken as current, for there was a solar eclipse in the current Kalachuri year 900 (corresponding to 1147-48 AC), which occurred on the purnimanta Vaishakha amavasya 3 (20th April 1148 AC), while in the expired Kalachuri year 900 (1148-49 AC) there was no solar eclipse at all. The date may therefore be said to be regular4. This is one of the few later dates of the Kalachuri era, mentioning a current year.

After four mangalashlokas in praise of Shiva, his Nandi, the Goddess of speech and Ganapati, the author states in one verse the importance of having a poetical record of one's achievements. He then proceeds to state the pedigree of the ruling king Prtithvideva II

1. This date is furnished by Daikoni Plates, No.86 above. 2. This date occurs in Ratanpur Stone inscription of Prithvideva II, see No.96, below. 3. Another solar eclipse had occurred just before the commencement of that Kalachuri year on the amavasya of the purnimanta kartikka (26th October 1147 AC). 4. The original epoch of the Kalachuri era was 248-49 AC which suits early dates of era found in Gujarat and the northern Maharashtra as shown before. See dates of Nos 21-23, above. That epoch does not suit later dates of the era and would not at all suit the date of the present inscription, for according to that epoch the solar eclipse should have occurred in 1148-49 AC. if the year 900 was current, and in 1149-50 AC if it was expired. But in neither of these years was there any solar eclipse.

[p.465]: from his great-grandfather Prithvidëva I who is called the lord of Tummâna.1 The desctiption of this king as also of his son Jajalladeva I and grandson Ratnadeva II is mainly conventional. The only historical event referred to is the defeat which a king of Kalinga suffered for the first time at the hands of Ratnadeva II. The reference is evidently to the defeat which that Kalachuri king inflicted on the mighty Ganga king Anantavarman-Chôdaganga and which is mentioned in several records of his descendants. 2

With verse-14 begins the genealogy of Purushôttama who erected the temple of Siva recorded in the present inscription. His ancestor Sodhadeva (सोढ़देव) belonged to a Brahmana family which served the Kalachuri princes for several generations. Sôdhadëva was appointed Minister by Prithvideva I (v 15). His son was Nimbadeva (निबदेव). He and his wife Lakhamâ (Lakshmî) are glorified in three verses (v 16-18). Their son was Purushôttama who was appointed to the post of Sarvâdhkârin (Minister Plenipotentiary) by Ratnadeva II. He is eulogized in as many as eight verses. We are told that all kings having been subdued by the policy or prowess of this minister, the king Ratnadeva II was able to rule without any trouble.

Verse 26 mentions the exploits of Purushôttama. He conquered the Khimmindi mandala, made the Talahari mandala attractive, punished Dandapura, subjugated Khijjinga (खिज्जिङग), killed Haravohu and threatened the ruler of Dandabhukti. It may be noted that some of these countries are also mentioned in a fragmentary verse eulogising the Kalachuri king Jajalladeva I, which occurs in his Ratanpur stone inscription, dated K 8663 Jajalladeva is said to have received annual tributes from the rulers of Dakshina Kôsala, Andhra, Khimidi, Vairâgara, Lanjikâ, Bhânâra, Talahâri, Dandakapura, Nandavali and Kukkuta. It will be noticed that Khimidi, Talahari and Dandapura are common to the two lists of countries. It may therefore be conjectured that Purushôttama took a prominent part in the expeditions of Jajalladeva I against the rulers of these three countries.


The present inscription no doubt states that Purushôttama was made Sarvâdhikàrin by Ratnadëva II but that does not necessarily imply that he first came into prominence during that king's reign. He may have held the office of a minister under Jajalladeva I also, and may have distinguished himself during that king's wars. Of these three countries, Talahâri mandala was probably the name of the southern portion of the Bilaspur tahsil and the adjoining portion of the Jânjgir tahsil. Jajalladeva's conquest of Talahâri is mentioned in some other records of the period4 Khimmindi or Khimidi may be the former Kimedi Zamindari in the Ganjam District. Jajalladeva I's expedition against this country, which probably owned the suzerainty of the Eastern Gangas, may have provoked Anantavarman-Chôdaganga into launching his invasion of the Kalachuri kingdom during the reign of Jâjalladeva's son and successor Ratnadeva II. Nothing is known about the expedition against Dandapura. This town may have been the capital of Dandabhukti.

The remaining three events mentioned in v 26 may have occurred during the reign of Ratnadeva II. The first two of these, viz , the subjugation of Khijjinga (खिज्जिङग) and the slaying of Haravohu (हरवोहु) are not known from any other source, but the third one, viz, the intimidation

1. Tummâna was the earlier capital of the Kalachuris in Dakshina Kôsala. That Prithvïdëva I was ruling at Tummâna is known from line 28 of his Amôdâ plates, above, No 76, L. 28

2. See, eg, the Ratanpur stone inscription of Prithvïdëva II, dated V 1207, below. No 93,the Mallâr stone inscription of JâjaUadëva II, dated K 919, below, No 97 and the Pendrabandh plates of Pratàpamalla, below. No 101

3. Above, No 77, L. 22

4. See, e g, the Rajim stone inscription of Jagapaladeva (No 88, above)

[p.466]: of the lord of Dandabhukti may have happened during the expedition against the Gauda king which Ratnadeva II launched probably soon after inflicting a crushing defeat on Anantavarman-Chôdâganga. This expedition is mentioned in several records1 of Vallabharaja who was a feudatory of both Ratnadëva II and Ptithvïdëva II. Vallabharâja is said to have fought valiantly in the presence of his lord (Ratnadëva II) and captured many elephants in the enemy's city. This invasion of the Gauda kingdom is also probably referred to in the Ràmacharita of Sandhyâkaranandin. From v 133 of Canto IV of that kâvya we learn that Madanapala drove back to the Kalindi (which flowed near his capital) the vanguard of the forces that had destroyed a large number of soldiers on his side2. The invader, who is not named in Sandhyâkaranandin's kâvya, was probably Ratnadëva II. Like Vallabharâja, Purushôttatna also seems to have distinguished himself in this expedition, in the course of which he intimidated the ruler of Dandabhukti.

Purushôttama was probably an old man when the présent inscription was put up. Verse 27 states that he had four sons Madhusûdana, Lakshmidhara, Yasôdhara and Gangâdhara, all of whom turned out to be very able statesmen. The eldest of them Madhusûdana is said to have attained great renown. He may have been appointed a minister, though not Sarvàdhikàrin by Prithvïdêva II3 Nothing is known about the other three sons of Purushôttama.

Verse-29 states that being convinced that human life is transitory and full of sorrows and that wealth is very unsteady, Purushôttama became intent on acquiring religions merit. He raised several groves, erected many mathas and mandapas (temples) and excavated a deep tank at Ratnapura. He also built the five-shrined temple of Shiva where the present inscription was put up, and planted a pleasure garden near it. From v 35 we learn that Prithvïdêva (II) donated the village Saloni (सलोनी) to Purushôttama on the occasion of a solar eclipse.

Verse-37 eulogises Kasala (कशल), the poet who composed the present prasasti. He is said to have been proficient in various arts and sciences including those of medicine and elephants. He had also mastered the àgamas of the Buddha and others. The description is interesting as it clearly indicates that though Buddhism, which was once flourishing in that part of Chhattisgarh ceased to have any followers there, its religious and philosophical Works continued to be studied in Dakshina Kôsala down to the 12th century A.C. It may be noted that the earlier Ratanpur stone inscription of Jajalladeva I, dated K. 866, also mentions a Saiva ascetic named Rudrashiva as proficient in the works of Dinnâga and others4

The last verse (38) records two gifts, one of four plough-measures of land made to the gods installed in the temple and the other of two plough-measures made to the Brâhmana Vâsudëva, who was evidently a priest of the temple.

As for the localities mentioned in the present prasasti,

Tummâna has already been identified.5 Khimmindi may be identical with the former Kimedi Zammdarï in the Ganjam District.

Talahâri seems to have comprised the country round Mallâr

1. See, e g, the Akaltarâ stone inscription (No 84)

2. See Hîstory of Bengal, pub by Dacca University, Vol I, p 170

3. Prithvïdêva II's Sarvâdhikàrin seems to have been his Mândalika Brahmadëva whom he specially called from the Talahâri manndala and made his Chief Minister as stated in the Ratanpur inscription, dated K. 915 (No 96), L.20

4. No 77, L. 27

5. Above, p 404

[p. 467]: in the Bilaspur and Janjgir tahsils. Its ancient name seems to have been Taradamshaka-bhukti (तरदंशक भुक्ति) mentioned in an old copper-plate grant1 of Mahâshivagupta-Bâlârjuna, found near Mallar.

Khijjinga and Dandapura cannot be identified.

Dandabhukti is mentioned in several old records and probably comprised parts of Midnapur and Balasore Districts 2 Finally, Saloni, the village granted to Purushôttama, may be identical with Saraonia which lies only about a mile and a half south by west of Kôni -where the present record was discovered.

1. Ep Ind. Vol XXIII, p.120

2. ibid, Vol XXII,pp 154 ff

a. It is Sulauni (सलौनी) village in Masturi tahail of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh. (Laxman Burdak (talk) 07:51, 25 March 2024 (UTC))

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Wiki editor Notes:

  • Salonia (Jat clan) = Sulauni (सलौनी) is a village in Masturi tahail of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh. Koni Stone Inscription Of Prithvideva II - (Kalachuri) Year 900 (=1148 AD) mentions that He (Purushôttama ) also built the five-shrined temple of Shiva where the present inscription was put up, and planted a pleasure garden near it. From v 35 we learn that Prithvideva (II) donated the village Saloni (सलोनी) to Purushôttama on the occasion of a solar eclipse. (p.466) [6]

Notable persons

External links

References

  1. ↑ https://www.onefivenine.com/india/villages/Bilaspur/Masturi/Koni
  2. ↑ Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p. 463-473
  3. ↑ Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p. 463-473
  4. ↑ Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p. 463-473
  5. ↑ Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p. 463-473
  6. ↑ Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p. 463-473
  7. ↑ Ep Ind. Vol XXIII, p.120
  8. ↑ Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p. 463-473
  9. ↑ Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p. 463-473
  10. ↑ Ep Ind. Vol XXIII, p.120
  11. ↑ Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p. 463-473

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