Kachchhapaghata dynasty

{ "type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [ { "type": "Feature", "properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Gwalior" }, "geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [78.1828308, 26.2182871] } }, { "type": "Feature", "properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Kulwar" }, "geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [77.8581672, 24.7940647] } }, { "type": "Feature", "properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Naresar" }, "geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [78.2587159, 26.3380328] } }, { "type": "Feature", "properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Tilori" }, "geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [78.2789365, 26.3459742] } } ] } The Kachchhapaghatas (IAST: Kacchapaghāta) were a Rajput dynasty that ruled between 10th and 12th centuries. Their territory included north-western parts of Central India (present-day Madhya Pradesh). The Kachhwaha Rajputs of Amber were from the same family. The Sanskrit word Kachchhapa-ghata (कच्छपघात) literally means "tortoise killer". The Kachchhapaghatas were originally the vassals of the Gurjara Pratiharas and the Chandelas. They became powerful towards the end of the 10th century. After the death of the Chandela king Vidyadhara in 1035 CE, the Chandela kingdom was weakened by repeated Muslim Ghaznavid (Yamini) invasions. Taking advantage of this situation, the Kachchhapaghatas gave up their allegiance to the Chandelas. A Sasbahu temple inscription suggests that Lakshmana was the first prominent member of the dynasty. This inscription, as well as a 977 Sihoniya inscription state that his successor Vajradaman captured Gopadri (Gwalior) from the king of Gadhinagara, that is the Pratihara ruler of Kannauj. Vajradaman, described as the tilaka of the dynasty in Gwalior inscriptions dated 1093-94 and 1104, was probably the first powerful ruler of the dynasty. He served as a feudatory to the Chandela kings Dhanga and Vidyadhara. The dynasty was divided into three branches, which ruled from Gwalior (Gopādrigiri), Dubkunda (Chaṇdobha), and Narwar (Nalapur).