Nagabhata I

Nagabhata I (730-760 CE) was a king of pratihara dynasty. He founded the Pratihara dynasty. He ruled the Avanti (or Malava) region in present-day Madhya Pradesh. Nagabhata was famously known for defeating the Arab army. But was defeated by the Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga. 

 Early life 
Nagabhata has been named as the founder of the powerful Pratihara dynasty in the Gwalior inscription. This inscription dates to the time of his descendant Mihira Bhoja. Nagabhata is said to have come to throne around 730 CE.

 Military career 
According to the Gwalior inscription of his descendant Mihira Bhoja, Nagabhata fought against a Mlechchha invasion. These mlechchhas are identified to be Arab Muslim invaders. The invasion was led by officers of Junaid. Junaid was a general and governor of Sindh under the Umayyad caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. According to some source Nagabhata succeeded in defeating the Arab army.

 Rashtrakuta invasion 
Nagabhata I appears to have been defeated by the Rashtrakuta ruler Dantidurga. According to the Rashtrakuta records, the ruler of Malava was among the kings defeated by Dantidurga.

References

Category:730s births
Category:760s deaths