Kumarpal

Who was Kumarpal?

Kumarpal, son of Tribhuvanpal Solanki, was a famous ruler of the Solanki dynasty of Gujarat at Patan, Anahilavada, India. During his reign, Jainism became prominent in Gujarat. He was a devoted disciple of the great Jain polymath Acharya Hemachandra. Under the influence of "Kali Kal Sarvagya" Hemchandracharya, he banned all kinds of cruelty against any living being in his kingdom and thus,laid the foundation of a great kingdom based on the principles of Ahimsa. Kumarpal was a brave ruler who successfully fought many battles.Under the advise of his Guru,he was responsible for restoring ruined temple of Somnath. He also built several Jain Temples, including the temple at Taranga and Mount Girnar. Udayan Mehta, a very wise, brave and influential jain business lord from Khambhat was his chief minister who had greatly helped Kumarpal to become king after the death of his uncle, King Siddharaj Jaisingh, who did not like Kumarpal during his life time and tried to kill him. Kumarpal was also called Gurjareshwar. Period under his ruling was amongst the golden era of Gujarat where trade, culture, literature and other forms of learning were greately flourished.He died within 6 months of death of his Guru Hemchandracharya.