- Hemadpant
Hemādri Pandit, also known as Hemādpant, was a prime minister from
1259 to1274 C.E. in the regimes of King Mahādev (1259 -1271 ) and King Rāmchandra (1271 -1309 ) of Seuna Yādav Dynasty of Devagiri, which ruled in the southwestern part ofIndia .Origin
Hemadri Pandit was born in a "Smārt Rigvedi, Vatsa Gotri, Shākalshākhi Karhāde Brāhmin" family, which had its origin in the Hemadri village in the
Dakshin Kannada District of Karnātaka. His father, Kāmdeo, had brought him up in Mahārāshtra.Career
Hemadri was a diplomat, an administrator, an architect, a poet, and a theologian and scholar. During his prime ministership, the Yadav kingdom reached its zenith;Fact|date=March 2008 soon after his tenure, the
Pathan emperor atDelhi , Alāuddin Khilji, and his successors ended the Yadav rule in southwestern India.His writings
*Hemadri wrote the religious book, “Chaturwarga Chintāmani” containing thousands of "Vratas" along with "modus operandi" for performing them.
*He has also compiled various diseases and healing remedies in his medical book, “Āyurved Rasāyan’”.
*A small historical book, “Hemādpanti Bakhar” is also credited to him.
*Moreover, he created 'Mestakas' to standardies procedural part of the state adiministration for the guidance of generations to come.
*Simultaneously, he encouraged and supported many artists and writers like the one of “Leelā Charitra” in the Mahānubhāva literature.Cultural contribution
As an administrator, Hemadri introduced the following significant sociocultural reforms in
Maharashtra :* Use of
Modi script for Marāthi (cursive style of writing Marathi) in government correspondence.* Invention of a style of
architecture –"Hemadpanti" architecture-- of buildings and temples which did not use lime.* Plantation of
pearl millet (Bājari) as a staple crop.Hemadri also popularized worship of Goddess Mahālaxmi in Maharashtra.
References
* ‘Samasta Maharashtriya Brahman Potshakha’ (
Marathi )by Dr.Abhaykumar Savaji* ‘Hemadri Athawa Hemadpant’ (
Marathi )by Keshav Appa Padhye* ‘Maharashtra Saraswat’ (
Marathi )by Vinayakrao Bhave* ‘Aitihasik Prastavana’ (
Marathi )byVishwanath Kashinath Rajwade
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