Which ruler first established his capital at Delhi? Ananga Pala Tomar, also known as Ananga Pala II, is a descendant of the ‘Tomar’ Rajput dynasty. Ananga Pala ruled Kannauj after the downfall of Pratiharas towards the end of the 10th century.

During the 8th-12th century, the Tomaras ruled over ‘Dhillikapuri’ of what we presently know as Delhi and entire parts of Haryana. The Dynasty of the Tomars can be trace back to the era of Alexander Cunningham from the list of Abul Fazal (Ain-e-Akbar) and the manuscripts found in Bikaner Gwalior and Garhwal, and Kumaon. 

Ananga Pala History

There is historical evidence that the armies of Turk had devastated North India and the regions of Delhi and Haryana and particularly toward the end of the 9th century. They destroyed many temples, buildings of historical importance and cultural remnants of the era. 

This Dynasty is one of the early medieval ruling dynasties in India.

It is written in the Puranas that the early location of the Tomar tribe was in the Himalayan region. People often get confused with Anangapal I, who established The Tomar dynasty in Delhi and ruled over it during the 8th century. 

The Tomars are said to be predecessors of the Chandravanshi Kshatriya Arjun from the Mahabharata. In few manuscripts and inscriptions, its is said that the Tomaras were descendants of Kuru King Parikhshit, who ruled over the Kuru empire during the Vedic era.

 Also Read: Pala Dynasty | Indian Dynasty

 The Territory ruled by Ananga Pala

It is said that Ananga Pala Tomar ruled over various parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Official Territory was called Hariyana, meaning (Abode of Hindu God Vishnu).

The capital of the Tomars have changed a lot during their reign of 457 years, from their First capital Anangpur (near Faridabad), to the last capital Dhillikapuri (now known as Delhi). Under Ananga Pala Tomar, there were other parts of the kingdom with political importance, such as Pathankot, Nagarkot, Asigarh, Thaneshwar, Mathura, and Taragarh, Gopachal and TanwarHinda. 

Also Read:

How To Register for Covid Vaccine in Delhi?

Foundation of Delhi by Ananga Pala

It is said that when Anang Pal ascended the throne in the 11th century, the entire region was in ruins; he played a major role in populating Indraprasth, and Delhi got its name ‘Dhilli‘ or ‘Dhillika‘ Noted in the book of a mediaeval historian K.A Nizami’s Urdu book Ehd-e-Wusta ki Dilli, he described Delhi from 1300 to 1800.

According to his book, Delhi emerged as a big city in the 11th century under the Tomar Rajput when they took over the mountainous Aravalli region. 

 There is various evidence about Ananga Pal ruling Delhi. Alexander Cunningham wrote about the dynastic Fort of Delhi, that is the Lal Kot (Delhi’s actual Red Fort). There are other monuments like Anangpur Fort, Anangpur dam and Anangtal; these are believed to be believed constructed by Ananga Pal. 

Military power of Ananga Pala

 Ananga Pala is believed to be one of the fierce rulers of Delhi. He had strong military points and, as per evidence, 2 conflicts in his entire military career. One where he defeated the Turks led by Ibrahim Ghazni in Himachal Pradesh and Kalash Dev of the Utpala dynasty in Kashmir

 Also read: Founder of Delhi

Achievements of Ananga Pala

Lal Kot

The Lal Kot, also known as Qila Rai pithora, was constructed during the reign of King Anangpal. There is an iron pillar that was established by the king, and from the inscriptions, on it, we get to know that he bought this Iron Pillar from Saunkh near Mathura.

After fixing the Iron Pillar, the coins were minted in the name of Shri killi Dev Pal. It is assumed that the construction of the Lal Lot was completed between 1052 AD and 1060 AD.

The circumference of the huge fort was more than two miles, the total area measured was 7,63,865 sq.m, walls guarding the fort were 60 feet long. There are various palaces and temples inside the fort surrounding the iron Pillar (Killi). This was Delhi’s original Red Fort or Lal Kot. What we know as Lal Qila or Red Fort today was originally called Quila-e-Mubarak. 

 Asigarh

It is said that the city of Hansi was founded by Ananga Pal for his Guru Hansakar later, his son Dhrupad constructed a sword manufacturing factory and called it Asigarh. The swords manufactured here were exported far and wide, even to the Arab countries. 

 There are other massive forts built under the reign of Anangpal like the Tahangarh fort in the Karauli district of Rajasthan, the Fort of Ballabgarh badalgarh and Mahendragarh. 

Yogmaya Temple

The Yogmaya temple was constructed by Ananga Pal for worshipping the Kuldevi (Goddess who watches over the clan) of the Tomaras dynasty ‘Yogmaya’. The temple lies within a few yards of the Iron Pillar and the Lal Kot established by Ananga Pal. There is a small water body (johad) adjacent to the temple, also known as the Ananga Tal Bavli. 

This is one of the 27 temples constructed in that era, still standing strong and used. The mamluks have destroyed 26 other temples. Even this temple was in ruins when King Hemu reconstructed the temple. The local trees and some of the records say that the temple was constructed in the era of the Pandavas when they won the great war of Mahabharata. Phool Walon Ki Sair, an annual festival, happens at this temple.

Anangtal Baoli

It is one of the primitive kinds of Baoli in Delhi.

Patronage to Hindi:

The Hindi dialects flourished under the Tomaras dynasty. The era of the Tomaras was the origin of the language Hindi used by Tulsidas and Amir Khusrau. The medium language of Hindi and a major shift from Sanskrit happened in this era. 

Conclusion

Anangapala was an instrumental figure in history as he was the first ruler of what we know today as Delhi. He constructed and populated the city of Indraprastha, which was completely in ruins; also, he ascended the throne in the eleventh century. The construction of Lal Kot fort and Anangtal Baoli remarks his true taste in architecture.