Maitraka dynasty

The Maitraka dynasty ruled western India (now Gujarat) from approximately 475 to approximately 776 CE from their capital at Vallabhi. With the sole exception of Dharapatta (the fifth king in the dynasty), who followed the Mithraic mysteries, they were followers of Shaivism. Their origin is uncertain but they were probably Chandravanshi Kshatriyas.
Following the decline of the Gupta Empire, Maitraka dynasty was founded by "Senapati" (general) Bhatarka, who was a military governor of Saurashtra under Gupta Empire, who had established himself as the independent around 475 CE. The first two Maitraka rulers Bhatarka and Dharasena I used only the title of "Senapati" (general). The third ruler Dronasimha declared himself as the "Maharaja". During the reign Dhruvasena I, Jain council at Vallabhi was probably held. The next ruler Dharapatta is the only ruler considered as a sun-worshipper. King Guhasena stopped using the term "Paramabhattaraka Padanudhyata" along his name like his predecessors, which denotes the cessation of displaying of the nominal allegiance to the Gupta overlords. He was succeeded by his son Dharasena II, who used the title of "Mahadhiraja". His son, the next ruler Siladitya I Dharmaditya was described by Hiuen Tsang, visited in 640 CE, as a "monarch of great administrative ability and of rare kindness and compassion". Siladitya I was succeeded by his younger brother Kharagraha I. Virdi copperplate grant (616 CE) of Kharagraha I proves that his territories included Ujjain. During the reign of the next ruler, Dharasena III, north Gujarat was included in this kingdom. Dharasena II was succeeded by another son of Kharagraha I, Dhruvasena II, Baladitya. He married the daughter of Harshavardhana. His son Dharasena IV assumed the imperial titles of "Paramabhattaraka Mahrajadhiraja Parameshvara Chakravartin". Sanskrit poet Bhatti was his court poet. The next powerful ruler of this dynasty was Siladitya II. During the reign of Siladitya V, Arabs probably invaded this kingdom. The last known ruler of this dynasty was Siladitya VI.
Maitrakas set up a Vallabhi University which came to be known far and wide for its scholastic pursuits and was compared with the Nalanda University. They came under the rule of Harsha of Vardhana dynasty in the mid-seventh century, but retained local autonomy, and regained their independence after Harsha's death. After repeated attacks by Arabs from the sea, the kingdom had weakened considerably. The dynasty ended by 783 CE. Apart from legendary accounts which connect fall of Vallabi with the Tajjika (Arab) invasions, no historical source mention how the dynasty ended.
More than hundred temples of this period are known, mostly located along the western coast of Saurashtra.
Origin.
Early scholars like Fleet had misread copperplate grant and considered Maitrakas as some foreign tribe defeated by Bhatarka. Bhagwanlal Indraji believed that Maitrakas were foreign tribe while Bhatarka, who defeated them, belonged to the indigenous dynasty. Later readings corrected that Bhatarka was himself Maitraka who had succeeded in many battles. The earlier scholars had suggested the name Maitraka is derived from Mithra, the Sun or solar deity, and their supposed connection to Mihira and their sun-worshiping inclination.
Though Mitra and Mihira are synonyms for the sun, the Sanskrit literature does not use it in sense of sun-worshipers. Dharapatta is the fifth and the only king of all Maitraka kings connected with sun-worship. All other kings were followers of Shaivism.
The copperplate grants do not help in identifying their origin, they describe only that the dynasty was born from a war-like tribe whose capital was at Vallabhi and they were Shaivas. Chinese traveler Hieun-Tsang visited Vallabhi during the second quarter of the 7th century had described the ruler as a Kshatriya. Later Mahayana Buddhist work "Manju-Shri-Mula-Kalpa" had described them as Varavatya Yadava. The late Jain traditional work "Shatrunjaya-Mahatmaya" of Dhaneshwara describes Shiladitya as the Yadavas of Lunar race.
Virji concludes that Maitrakas were a Kshatriya of Lunar race and their origin was probably from Mitra dynasty which once ruled region around Mathura (now in Uttar Pradesh, India). Several scholars like Benerjee, D. Shastri, D. R. Bhandarkar agree with her conclusion.
Vallabhi.
The Maitrakas ruled from their capital at Vallabhi. They came under the rule of Harsha in the mid-7th century, but retained local autonomy, and regained their independence after Harsha's death.
When I-Tsing, another Chinese traveller, visited Vallabhi in the last quarter of the seventh century, he found Vallabhi as a great center of learning including Buddhism. Gunamati and Sthiramati were two famous Buddhist scholars of Vallabhi in the middle of the seventh century. Vallabhi was famous for its catholicity and the students from all over the country, including the Brahmana boys, visited it to have higher education in secular and religious subjects. We are told that the graduates of Valabhi were given higher executive posts.
History.
Bhatarka.
The "Senapati" (general) Bhatarka, was a military governor of Saurashtra peninsula under Gupta Empire, who had established himself as the independent ruler of Gujarat approximately in the last quarter of 5th century when the Gupta empire weakened. He continued to use the title of "Senapati" (general). Apart from his military accomplishments, not much is known from the copper-plates. He was Shaiva according to the title "Parama-Maheshwara" used for him in grants by his descendants. It seems that he transferred the capital from Girinagar (Girnar) to Vallabhi. The legends of all Valabhi coins are marked with "Sri-Bhatarka". Almost all the Maitraka inscriptions start with his name. He is known only from the copperplate inscriptions of descendants.
Dharasena I.
Bhatarka was succeeded by his eldest son Dharasena I who also used only the title of "Senapati" (general). He reigned approximately from 174 to 180 Valabhi Era (VE) (c. 493 - c. 499 CE). It seems that he further consolidated power in weakening Gupta Empire. the Maitrkas had a marriage alliance with Harisena, the Vakataka king of Avanti who had himself captured many regions formerly under Guptas. Chandralekha, who is described in "Dharasanasara" of Devasena as the daughter of the king of Ujjayani and the queen of Dhruvasena I.
Dronasimha.
Dronasimha (c. 499 - c. 519 CE) was a younger brother of Dharasena I. He had declared himself as the "Maharaja" known from his copperplate dated 183 VE (502 CE). It is known that his coronation was attended by some higher authority, probably Vakataka as they had a marriage alliance.
According to the Eran inscription of Gupta Empire ruler Bhanugupta (new revised translation published in 1981), Bhanugupta and his chieftain or noble Goparaja participated in a battle against the "Maittras" in 510 CE, thought to be the Maitrakas (the reading being without full certainty, but "as good as certain" according to the authors). This would directly allude to the conflict between the Maitrakas and the Guptas during the reign of Dronasimha. The inscription reads:
It is also around this time, or soon after, that the Alchon Huns king Toramana invaded Malwa, leading to his mention as "ruler of the earth" in the Eran boar inscription of Toramana.
Dhruvasena I.
Dhruvasena I was the third son of Bhatarka and the younger brother of Dronasimha. He reigned c. 519 - c. 549 CE. During his rule, Yashodharman of Malwa had defeated Harisena of the Vakataka dynasty, as well as the Huna king Mihirakula (in 528 CE). Dhruvasena probably had to acknowledge to overlord-ship of Yashodharman. It is known that they had regained their glory as Yashodharman's rule was short lived and was supplanted by the Guptas.
In these grants, Dhruvasena's father Bhaṭárka and his elder brothers are described as 'great Máheśvaras' that are followers of Śiva, while Dhruvasena himself is called 'Paramabhágavata', the great Vaishṇava. He must be liberal in religious beliefs. In the 535 CE grant, he had made an arrangement for a Buddhist monastery at Valabhi built by his Buddhist niece Duḍḍá (or Lulá?). He had made several grants to Brahmanas of Vadnagar. The Jain council at Vallabhi was probably held during his rule which was arranged by his wife Chandralekha. During these days, he had lost his son as the Vallabhi council has condoled on loss. "Kalpa Sutra", the Jain text, was compiled probably during the reign of Dhruvasena, 980 or 993 years after the death ("Nirvana") of Mahavira. Kalpa Sutra mentions that the public reading of it started at Anandapura (Vadnagar) to relieve Dhruvasena from the grief of the death of his son. Based on his grants, it known that his kingdom extended from Dwarika to Valabhi, whole Saurashtra peninsula and as far as Vadnagar in the north.
During his rule, the Garulakas or Garudakas had accepted the Maitrkas as their overlord. The Garulaka had captured Dwarika probably with help of the Maitrakas. They probably has an emblem of the Garuda and it his clear from their grants that they were Vaishnavas. They had made grants to Brahmanas and Buddhists alike.
Dharapatta.
Dhruvasena I was succeeded by his younger brother Dharapatta who reigned for a very short period, c. 549 to c. 553. He must be old when he ascended to the throne as his elder brothers ruled before him and thus his reign may have been short. He is the only ruler described as "Paramaditya-Bhakta", the devotee of the sun god. He is known by the copperplate grants of his grandson.
Guhasena.
Dharapatta was succeeded by Guhasena who reigned from c. 553 to c. 569 CE. He must be great king as the all later ruler from Shiladitya I to the last ruler records his name in grants.
Guhasena stopped using the term "Paramabhattaraka Padanudhyata" along his name like his predecessors, which denotes the cessation of displaying of the nominal allegiance to the Gupta overlords. He had assumed the title of "Maharajadhiraja". During his early rule, the Maitraka kingdom was invaded by Maukhara or Maukhari king Ishwaravarman. The Raivataka (Girnar) hill is mentioned in his Jaunpur stone inscription but who won the war is unclear as the inscription is fragmentary. It is assumed that Guhasena must have repelled the attack.
All his copper-plates record donations to Buddhist monasteries. He was a devotee of Shiva as mentioned in his grants and the copperplate bore the symbol of the Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva. He was interested in Buddhism in his last years of reign which is known from his grants. Guhasena wrote poems in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Saurseni Apabhramsa.
Early historians had considered Gahlots (Gohil) of Mewar (Guhilas of Medapata) as his descendants. James Tod had recorded one such legend but epigraph evidence does not support the assumption. Virji also makes the point that Gahlots were Brahmanas as per their inscriptions while the Maitrakas were Kshatriyas.
Dharasena II.
Gahasena was succeeded by his son Dharasena II, who used the title of "Samanta" in his early grants and later readopts the title of "Maharaja" and later again as "Mahasamanta". He reigned from 569 to 589–90 CE. It is considered that he had become subordinate to Maukhari ruler Ishanavarman for sometime between which reflect in the changes in titles. From Haraha inscription it known that Ishanavarman held sway over several rulers and Dharasena may have had to submit to him.
He had made land grants to Brahmanas noted in his copperplate grants. One of his grants of 254 or 257 VE mentions solar eclipse which had helped in establish the dating of the Valabhi Era (VE). His one grant mentions Sthiramati, the Buddhist monk mentioned by Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang. One independent grant dated 574 CE made by Garulaka king Simhaditya is also found at Palitana along with him.
Śīlāditya I.
Dharasena II was succeeded by Śīlāditya I who is also called Dharmaditya, the "sun of Dharma". He reigned from c. 590 - 615 CE. "Manju-Sri-Mula-Kalpa" assigns him thirty years. The "Śatruñjaya Máhátmya" has a prophetic account of one Śíláditya who will be a propagator of religion in Vikrama Saṃvat 477 (420 CE). The work is comparatively modern and does not correspond to chronology and dating of Maitraka kingdom. Although no reliance can be placed on the date still his second name Dharmáditya gives support to his identification with the Śíláditya of the Máhátmya. Based on "Manju-Sri-Mula-Kalpa" and his grants, it is known that his rule extended from Malwa to the oceans of Kutch in western India.
He was Shaiva. The one of his grant, to a temple of Śiva, has for its Dútaka the illustrious Kharagraha apparently the brother and successor of the king. He had made grants to sun temple and Buddhist monks show that he tolerated and respected Buddhism also. The writer of one of the grants is mentioned as the minister of peace and war Chandrabhaṭṭi; the Dútaka or causer of the gift in two of the Buddhist grants is Bhaṭṭa Ádityayaśas apparently some military officer. The Jain work "Śatruñjaya Máhátmya" mentions that its author was his preceptor. His equal treatment to all religions justifies his title "Dharmaditya". The "Śatruñjaya Máhátmya", though exaggerated, mentions that he had expelled some Buddhists from his kingdom sympathetic to his rival Harsha. He is praised in accounts of Hiuen Tsang as a "monarch of great administrative ability and of rare kindness and compassion".
He had a son named Derabhatta. He was succeeded by his younger brother Kharagraha I. It seems that there must have been a contest between his elder brother Upendra and him but finally Kharagraha I had succeeded. Derabhatta is mentioned to had helped Siladitya is conquering some region between Sahya and Vindhya. He probably had helped Pulakeshin in a war against Kalachuris and may be gained the region as a result. He may have ruled the region independently till his death. His son and successor Siladitya may have ruled the region as an arrangement with his brother Karagraha. A queen named Janjika is mentioned in one of copperplates which may be a wife of Siladitya I.
Kharagraha I.
Siladitya I was succeeded by his younger brother Kharagraha I, also known as Ishwaragraha. Virdi copperplate grant (616 CE) of Kharagraha I proves that his territories included Ujjain which is mentioned as "victorious camp". He was probably in a continued struggle with Harsha started during the reign of his brother. He was Shaiva and reigned c. 615 - 621 CE.
Dharasena III.
Kharagraha was succeeded by his son Dharasena III. He reigned from c. 621 to 627 CE. His only grant is made from the military camp at Khetaka (Kheda). Chapala mentioned in "Manju-Sri-Mula-Kalpa" as a successor of Siladitya must be Dharasena III according to Virji while Jayaswal consider him as Kharagraha. He was Shaiva too. He had some gain in north Gujarat. He must have lost some power as his neighbouring kingdoms; Chalukya and Harshvardhan were in constant struggle.
Dhruvasena II Baladitya.
After death of Dharasena III, he was succeeded by his younger brother Dhruvasena II also known as Baladitya, the "rising son". He reigned from c. 627-641 CE. He was well versed in grammar and the science of polity. Hiuen Tsang had written "a lively and hasty disposition and his wisdom and statecraft were shallow". He further adds that "he had attached himself to the precious three recently", viz. the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha of Buddhism. he had made grants to Buddhist Viharas and Hindu temples alike. He used the title of "Paramamaheshwara", thus Shaiva. He had renewed the grant to the Kottammhikadevi, a Hindu temple, by his ancestor Dronasimha. Dadda II, the Gurjara king of Lata had mentioned that he had given refuge to the Maitraka ruler in a struggle with Harsha. But it is unclear that he was Dhruvasena II or Dharasena IV. Huien Tsang had mentioned that he had married the daughter of Harshavardhan of Kanauj, probably as the marriage allegiance.
His rule extended to Ratlam, a town west of Ujjain so whole modern central and north Gujarat were under the Maitrakas.
Dharasena IV.
Dharasena IV succeeded Dhruvasena II and reigned from c. 641 to 650 CE. He had subdued Gurjaras of Lata (south Gujarat) as he has issued copperplate grants from Bharuch. he had assumed the imperial titles of "Paramabhattaraka Mahrajadhiraja Parameshvara Chakravartin". He had made grants to Buddhist Viharas and Brahmanas. He was a patron of scholars and the master archer. Probably during his reign, the Bhatti, the author of "Bhattikavya" or "Ravanavadha", flourished. It is a grammatical poem.
As Dharasena IV had no son, the succession transferred to the elder branch, Derabhatta lineage. He was succeeded by Dhruvasena III.
Dhruvasena III.
Dhruvasena III was a son of Derabhatta. He reigned from c. 650 to 654-655 CE. He had dropped the title of "Chakravartin" and was Shaiva. He may have lost his sway on Lata region to Chalukyas.
Kharagraha II.
Kharagraha II Dharamaditya was a successor of his younger brother Dhruvasena II. He had made a grant from military camp at Pulindaka which suggest that he was in a continued struggle with Chalukyas. He reigned from c. 655 to 658. He had no son.
Siladitya II.
Siladitya was a son of Siladitya, the elder brother of Kharagraha II. As Kharagraha II had no son, he assumed the throne. He reigned from c. 658 to 685 CE. He has mentioned his father Derabhatta in his grants. He had probably recovered the Lata region from the Sendraka governor under the Chalukyas. The Chalukyas recovered the region under Vikramaditya I and placed his son Dharashraya Jayasimha as its governor. The region was still ruled by Gurjaras of Lata and Dadda III was probably in the constant struggle with the Maitrakas.
Arab historians mention that the Arab commander Ismail had attacked the Ghogha in 677 CE (AH 57) but give no details. He must have been defeated by Siladitya II.
Siladitya III.
Siladitya was a son and the successor of Siladitya II. He reigned from c. 690 - 710 CE. Probably during this period, Panchasar held by Jayasekhara of Chavda dynasty was attacked.
Siladitya IV.
Siladitya IV was a son of Siladitya III who probably had Dharasena as his personal name. He ruled from c. 710 to 740 CE. Chalukya king Vikramaditya II had captured the Khetaka region from the Maitrakas with the presumed help of Jayabhatta IV, the Gurjara king of Lata. Sanjan plate of 733 CE informs that Rashtrakuta Indra I had forcefully married Chalukya princess Bhvanaga at Kaira (Kheda) so the region must be under them then.
Biladuri, the Arab historian informs that the Maitraka kingdom was invaded by the Arabs under Junaid during the Caliphate of Hisham (724-743 CE). The invasion was carried out in 735-736 CE mentioned by the Gurjaras of Lata. They had invaded all of the Gurjara region of north and south. The Navsari plate of Avanijanashraya Pulakeshin mentions that the Tajjika (Arabs) had destroyed the Kachchelas (of Kutch), Saindhavas, Surastra, Chavotkata (Chavdas), Mauryas and Gurjaras (of Lata) and proceeded towards the Deccan. Jayabhatta had helped the Maitrakas in battle at Valabhi at which they had defeated the Arabs but eventually lost. Finally at Navsari, the confederate army led by Chalukya troops routed the Arabs. Pulakeshin was awarded the titles of "Dakshinapatha Svadharna", the solid pillar of the Deccan, "Amvarta Kanivartayitr", the Repeller of the Unrepellable and "Avanijanashraya", the refuge of the people.
Siladitya V.
After the Arab invasion, the fragmented western states were organised under Siladitya V. Malwa was lost to Gurjara-Pratiharas before the invasion. He probably had tried to recover Malwa as one of his grant (760 CE) is made from military camp at Godraka (Godhra). He must have failed to recover Malwa but nonetheless recovered the Khetaka (Kheda) region. He had to face another invasion of the Tajjika (Arabs) from the sea in 759 CE fighting for Umayyad Caliphate. The naval fleet under Amarubin Jamal was sent by Hasham, the governor of Sindh to the coast of Barda (the Barda hills near Porbandar). The invasion was defeated by the naval fleet of the Saindhava dynasty which was in allegiance with the Maitrakas. He reigned from c. 740 -762 CE.
Siladitya VI.
Siladitya VI, also known as Dhrubhata, reigned c. 762 to c. 776 CE. As he had issued a grant from Anandpura (Vadnagar), it is assumed that he was on expansion again taking advantage of the prevailing situation in Rastrakutas and was in a struggle with the Gurjara-Pratiharas. Saurashtra was again invaded by the Tajjikas (Arabs) in 776 CE (AH 159). They captured the township of Barada but the epidemic broke out. The Arabs had to return and the Caliph had decided to stop further attempt to enter India. Agguka I of the Saindhava dynasty had claimed in his inscription a victory thus they had to withdraw. The Maitraka dynasty ended by c. 783 CE. Apart from legendary accounts which connects fall of Vallabi with the Tajjika (Arab) invasions, no historical source mention how the dynasty ended.
The governors of Girinagar (Girnar) and Vamanasthali (Vanthli) became independent and established their own dynasty on the fall of Vallabhi.
Religion.
The Maitrakas were follower of the Shiva except Dhruvasena I who was Vaishnava and Dharapatta who was sun-worshiper. They all used title of "parama-maheshwara" before the names of king except those two. It is evident from the use of symbols like Nandi, the Bull and Trishula, the trident in their coins and inscriptions. There were presence of Vaishnavism and Goddess worship under their rule. There were large number of Buddhist Viharas in the Maitraka kingdom. Jains held their important Valabhi council here. The Maitrakas were tolerant to all religions and made donations and grants to all of them without partiality.
Administration.
There were administrative divisions managed by head of the division and helped by his subordinates. The highest division "Vishaya" were headed by Rashtrapati or Amatya and the lowest division "Grama" (equivalent to village) was headed by Gramakuta.
Maitrakas set up a Vallabhi University which came to be known far and wide for its scholastic pursuits and was compared with the Nalanda University.
Architecture.
Temples and monuments.
The copper plate inscriptions of Maitrakas mentions religious edifices, Brahmanical as well as Buddhist. Some Buddhist monuments were constructed by the Maitrakas themselves. Some Brahmanical shrines includes Shiva temple at Vatapadra in Saurashtra (before 609 CE), Bhartishwara temple (extant in 631 CE), Goddess Kotammahika temple at Trisangamaka (extant in 639 CE, built during or before reign of Dronasimha), Pandurarya temple at Hathab in Saurashtra (502 CE inscription). Other temples include Saptamatrika temple at Madasara-sthali (extant in 676 CE), Sun temple at Vatapadra (609 CE) and Bhadreniyaka (611 CE); all in Saurashtra.
Several Buddhist monuments were built by Maitrakas. Majority of them were built in and around Vallabhi. Bhataraka probably the Bhataraka-vihara. Princess Dudda, sister of Dhruvasena I, built Dudda-vihara around the onset of the sixth century. Before 605 CE, Shiladitya I built Shiladitya-vihara Vamsakata in Saurashtra. Abhyantarika-vihara (before 567 CE) was built by a lady Mimma. Kakka Mankila added Kakka-vihara to Dudda-vihara mandala before 589 CE and another Gohaka-vihara was built there before 629 CE. The Yakshasura-vihara for nuns at Vallabhi was built around middle of the sixth century. Before 549 CE, Ajita, a merchant, built Ajita-vihara, probably besides the Yakshasura-vihara. Purnabhatta-vihara was built by Purnabhatta before 638 CE to the later group. Skandabhatta II, grandson of Mahasandhivigrahaka Sandabhatta I, built a Sandabhatta-vihara at Yodhavaka.
Literary sources also mention some temples dedicated to the Jinas. Around 601 CE, Shantinatha temple at Vallabhi existed. At the time of destruction of Vallabhi, the images of Chandraprabha, Adinatha, Parshwanatha and Mahavira were transferred to safer places. The temples of Parshwanatha and Shantinatha existed at Vardhamana (Wadhwan) and Dostatika as well as probably the temple of Yakshi Ambika on the summit of Mount Girnar.
Most of the constructions in this period were made of non-durable materials like bricks and wood. None of them survives now.
The architecture is in continuum of earlier Gupta period architecture found in caves at Uparkot and Khambhalida. More than hundred temples of this period is known. Almost all of them are located along the coastal belt of the western Saurashtra region except the one at Kalsar and few temples in the Barda hills region. Several temples of them are located in the territories controlled by the Saindhavas.
The extant temples of this period are the temple at Gop, Sonkansari (Ghumli), Pachtar, Prachi, Firangi Deval at Kalsar, group of temples at Vasai near Dwarka, Kadvar, Bileshwar, Sutrapada, Visavada, Kinderkheda, Pata, Miyani, Pindara, Khimrana, two temples at Dhrasanvel (Magderu and Kalika Temple), two temples near Dhrewad (Kalika Mata Temple), Gayatri temple and Naga temple and Sun temple at Pasnavada, early temples at Junagadh, Gosa, Boricha, Prabhas Patan, Savri, Navadra, Suvarnatirth temple at Dwarka, Jhamra, Degam near Porbandar, Sarma near Ghed. Other extant temples include the temple groups at Khimeshwara, Shrinagar, Nandeshwara, Balej, Bhansara, Odadar; and the shrines at Bokhira, Chhaya, Visavada, Kuchadi, Ranavav, Tukada, Akhodar, Kalavad, Bhanvad, Pasthar, and Porbandar.
Two "kund"s are known of this period, at Kadvar and Bhansara. The Shaivaite monastery at the Khimeshwara Group of temples is the oldest known Brahminical monastery of India, preceding three centuries to that in central India.
These temples are austere in their design and simple in decoration. They are important in architectural study to know the origin of Nagara-style "shikhara" and the beginning of their complex designs in temple architecture. These temples also point to the second of the two early Gujarat temple architecture schools; the north Gujarat early Nagara style and the Saurashtra style which initially influenced and ultimately ousted by the evolving Nagara style. The Saurashtra style disappeared by the tenth century.
Coinage.
The Maitrakas continued coinage styles established by their predecessors; the Guptas and the Western Kshatrapas. Large number of copper and silver coins are found in Vallabhi and elsewhere. There are two types of coins found. The first were 6" in diametre and weighted 29 grains. They were perhaps earlier coins modeled after the Western Kshatrapa coins. Later coins were similar to the Gupta coins in shape, size and legends. Like Gupta coins, they were not made of pure silver but silver-coated.
The obverse of coin had the head of the kings facing right, as in Kshatrapa coins, but no legends or date. The reverse had Trishula, the trident, the emblem of Shiva. An axe ("parashu") is added in reverse of some later coins. These symbols are surrounded by the legend in debased characters of Brahmi script. It reads,
List of rulers.
The list as follows:


Bhawal Estate

Bhawal Estate was one of the largest zamindari estate in Bengal in modern-day Bangladesh. It had 2,274 villages in an area of 1,500 kilometers and a population of 55,000.
History.
In the late seventeenth century Daulat Ghazi was the zamindar of the Ghazi estate of Bhawal. Bala Ram was Diwan of Daulat Ghazi. As the consequence of change in the policy of revenue collection In 1704 Bala Ram's son Sri Krishna was installed as the zamindar of Bhawal by Murshid Quli Khan. Since then through acquisitions the zamindari expanded to great extent. The family turned into the proprietor of the whole Bhawal pargana after purchasing the zamindari of J. Wise, an indigo grower for Rs 4,46,000. In 1877, Kaliprosanna Ghosh became the Dewan of Bhawal Estate for Zamindar Raja Rajendra Narayan Roy Chowdhury.


Yasovarman I

Yasovarman I () was an Angkorian king who reigned in 889–910 CE. He was called "Leper King".
Early years.
Yasovarman was a son of King Indravarman I and his wife Indradevi.
Yaasovarman was said to be a wrestler. Inscriptions say he was capable of wrestling with elephants. The inscriptions also say he was capable of slaying tigers with his bare hands.
His teacher was the "purohit" Brahman Vamasiva, part of the Devaraja cult priesthood. Vamasiva's guru, Sivasoma, was connected to the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara.
After the death of Indravarman, a succession war was fought by his two sons, Yasovarman and his brother. It is believed that the war was fought on land and on sea by the Tonlé Sap. In the end Yasovarman prevailed.
Because of his father had sought to deny his accession, according to inscriptions cited by L.P. Briggs, "Yasovarman I ignored his claim to the throne through his father, Indravarman I, or through Jayavarman II, the founder of Angkor dynasty, and built up an elaborate family tree, connecting himself through his mother with ancient kings of Funan and Chenla."
Yasovarman I claims to be a descendant of the ruling clans of Sambhupura, Aniditapura, Vyadhapura. This was found on 12 different stone inscriptions located in different parts of the country.
Yasovarman I led a failed invasion of Champa, as documented at Banteay Chmar.
Yasovarman I’s achievements.
During the first year of his reign, he built about 100 monasteries ("ashrams") throughout his kingdom. Each "ashram" was used as a resting place for the ascetic and the king during his trips. In 893 he began to construct the Indratataka Baray (reservoir) that was started by his father. In the middle of this lake (now dry), he built the temple Lolei.
Yasovarman was one of the great Angkorian kings. His greatest achievement was to move the capital from Hariharalaya to Yashodharapura where it remained there for 600 years. It was at this new capital where all of the great and famous religious monuments were built, e.g. the Angkor Wat. There were many reasons for the move. The old capital was crowded with temples built by the previous kings. Thus, the decision was religious: In order for a new king to prosper, he must build his own temple and when he died it must become his mausoleum. Second, the new capital was closer to the Siem Reap River and is halfway between the Kulen hills and the Tonlé Sap. By moving the capital closer to the sources of water the king could reap many benefits provided by both rivers.
Yashodharapura was built on a low hill called Bakheng, and connected to Hariharalaya by a causeway. Simultaneously, he started to dig a huge reservoir at his new capital. This new artificial lake, the Yashodharatataka, or the East Baray, with 7.5 by 1.8 km long dykes.
The Lolei, Phnom Bakheng, and the East Baray are monuments to this ruler, all located near Cambodia's national treasure, a later construction, Angkor Wat. Phnom Bakheng was one of three hilltop temples created in the Khmer Empire’s Angkor capital region during Yasovarman’s reign, the other two being Phnom Krom and Phnom Bok.
Posthumous name.
Yasovarman died in 910 and received the posthumous name of Paramashivaloka. He had leprosy.
Family.
Wife of Yasovarman was a sister of Jayavarman IV. She bore two sons to Yasovarman – Ishanavarman II and Harshavarman I.


Soekarno (film)

Soekarno ( — "Indonesia's Independence") is a 2013 Indonesian biographical film directed by Hanung Bramantyo and written by Ben Sihombing. This film tells the story of the life of the late Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia. Sukarno, who was born with the name "Kusno", was one of the major figures who played an important part in the fight for Indonesia's independence from Dutch colonial rule. This film stars Ario Bayu as Sukarno.
On 13 December 2013, the Central Jakarta Business Management Court (PTUN) acceded to a request made by one of Sukarno's daughters, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, to halt the film's release. Some film critics had criticised the film for being too commercialised and taking liberties in its depiction of historical events and characters. Subsequently however, on 7 January 2014, the PTUN decided to overturn its earlier decision and allow the film to be shown.
The film was selected as Indonesia's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.
Plot.
"Soekarno" is based on the life of Sukarno which covers the period from his childhood until his historical Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. In 1931, the Dutch East Indies government in Java Island captures Sukarno, an aspiring young nationalist who wants to free Indonesia from Dutch colonial rule. He is then placed in Banceuy Prison at Bandung, Indonesia. Sukarno finds a way to fight back by delivering his famous defense oration "Indonesia Accuses!" ("Indonesia Menggugat") in his trial at Bandung Laandraad Courthouse.
Controversy.
In September 2013, Sukarno's daughter, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, said that she had felt betrayed by the production studio MVP Pictures and resisted the release of the movie production in its current form. She wanted actor Anjasmara to play Sukarno in the film, but the director, Hanung Bramantyo, stuck to his choice of Ario Bayu. However, Rachmawati felt that Ario did not meet her expectations in his portrayal of her father. She had also complained that she was not permitted to give directions or provide feedback on Ario's presentation and interpretation of the gestures and mannerisms of the lead character, something she felt was necessary for him to better portray her father. On 23 September 2013, the dispute came to a head with Rachmawati reporting Hanung Bramantyo to the police on allegations of defamation. At the same time, Hanung had publicly stated that he believed Rachmawati's motive for the public dispute with him was purely to seek publicity and popularity for herself.
The movie's release went ahead despite the dispute. On his part, the director believed that the movie was historically accurate. "I will continue to screen "Sokarno" because there is nothing wrong with the movie," he said in September 2013. He said that Rachmawati only had the right to give her advice but not to make any actual decisions concerning the film itself. He also said that matters concerning the making of a film was the sole prerogative of the director.


Liberal Republican Party (Turkey)

The Free Republican Party (sometimes referred to as the Liberal Republican Party; in ) was a political party founded by Fethi Okyar upon President Kemal Atatürk's request in the early years of the Turkish Republic.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk requested that Okyar create it as an opposition party to confront the ruling Republican People's Party with the aim of establishing the tradition of multi-party democracy in Turkey.
However, the party was quickly embraced by the conservatives who saw it as an opportunity to reverse the reforms of Atatürk, particularly regarding secularism, and was personally dissolved in November 1930 by Okyar who himself was an ardent supporter of the reforms.
The closure of the Free Republican Party left Turkey as a one-party state until the establishment of the National Development Party ("Milli Kalkınma Partisi") in 1945 and the Democrat Party in 1946.


Shang archaeology

Shang archaeology is concerned with the archaeological evidence for the Shang dynasty. Choice of excavation sites and interpretation of finds have been heavily influenced by the textual historical record.
Excavation sites.
The earliest and to-date most well known Shang site is Yinxu, near Anyang in Henan province. Work began in 1928 initially as an investigation of the source of oracle bones. It was carried out by a team from the new research organisation Academia Sinica, and directed by the Harvard-trained anthropologist Li Ji. Fifteen seasons of excavation were carried out at Anyang until 1937, when the Second Sino-Japanese War forced the archaeologists to evacuate. During that time, the Anyang excavators uncovered large pounded-earth ("hangtu") architectural foundations, sacrificial burial cemeteries, and gigantic shaft tombs, not to mention caches of bronze vessels. Historians have come to associate the site with Yinxu, the traditional name of the Shang capital for the last twelve kings of the dynasty, starting with Pan Geng. Excavations at Anyang resumed in 1950, under the auspices of a new Institute of Archaeology, and a permanent field station was established there in 1958.
The successes at Anyang encouraged further archaeological efforts, awareness of which has been fostered by the State Bureau of Cultural Relics. In 1952, excavations at Erligang, near Zhengzhou, disclosed the remains of a walled city at least as large as Anyang, but from a demonstrably earlier period. Excavations were difficult, however, because the ancient city lay beneath the modern one.
The still older site of Erlitou, near Luoyang, was discovered in 1959 by a survey prospecting for Xia remains. The three sites of Erlitou, Erligang, and Anyang have been taken to provide a complete chronological sequence for the early Bronze Age in China.
There have also been other finds away from the Yellow River valley. A significant early achievement was the discovery of an Erligang-period city at Panlongcheng, not far from the Yangzi River. Further and more distinct finds surfaced later in the middle and lower Yangzi regions, including the Wucheng site in Jiangxi, suggesting local civilisations separate from those of the Yellow River region. This argument has grown stronger with the discoveries further afield – that of spectacular sacrificial pits at Sanxingdui, Sichuan in 1986, and of a rich tomb at Xingan, Jiangxi, in 1989.
Oracle bones.
Oracle bones were first recognised for their true nature in 1898, and scholars have been labouring to decipher them ever since. They circulated among collectors and antique dealers, and to this day some 200,000 oracle bone fragments from the Xiaotun site in Anyang have been counted.
These inscriptions record the pyromantic divinations performed at the court of the Shang kings. The king or his diviners would address an oral "charge" to a specially prepared turtle plastron or cattle scapula while applying a hot poker or brand to produce a series of heat cracks in the shell or bone. They then interpreted these cracks as auspicious or inauspicious, after which engravers carved into the surface of the shell or bone the subject of the charge, sometimes the forecast, and less frequently the result.
Bronze metallurgy.
Bronze has been left behind in China in quantities not comparable to anywhere else in the world. Both technologically and artistically, the metalworking tradition that arose in China is unlike any other in the world.
The technological feature which distinguishes Shang bronzes from those found elsewhere in the world is the technique of casting as opposed to hammering. Casting was a far more extravagant technique compared to hammering, and required both abundant mineral resources and organisation of labour.
The earliest evidence for bronze casting are the two dozen bronze vessels unearthed at Erlitou. Bronzes appear in much large quantities at Erligang, and show technological and artistic advances.


Family of Bayinnaung

These are the lists related to the Family of King Bayinnaung of the Toungoo Dynasty of Burma. The king had over 50 wives and nearly 100 children. All the Toungoo monarchs after him were descended from him.
Ancestry.
His ancestry is unclear. The chronicles claim that he was of royal ancestry (from all the previous main Upper Burma dynasties) while oral traditions say he was of commoner origins.
Queens consort.
Principal queens.
Bayinnaung had three queens consort. After the death of his first chief queen Atula Thiri in 1568, Sanda Dewi became the chief and only queen for the remainder of his reign (1568–81).
Junior queens.
The following is a list of junior queens who bore him at least one child per the "Hmannan Yazawin" chronicle (Hmannan Vol. 3 2003: 68–73). Several of the queens came over through marriages of state.
Below are other junior wives who appeared elsewhere in the chronicles. They have to account for the king's children (Wara Dhamma, Kaweya Hla Nyi, Thukhawaddy, Min A-Kyi, Thugandawaddy, Myat Myo Hpone Wai and Myo Myat Hpone Si) whose mothers' names are unknown.
Issue.
By senior queens.
The king had three daughters and three sons by his senior queens.
By junior queens.
The following is a list of his children by junior queens. The list is ordered by the mother of the children, and then by the age of the children per the "Hmannan Yazawin" chronicle. Note that although both "Maha Yazawin" and "Hmannan" chronicles say that he had 35 sons and 56 daughters by junior queens and concubines, the detailed list, which appears only in "Hmannan" (Hmannan Vol. 3 2003: 68–73), enumerates only 86 children (32 sons, 54 daughters). The rest of the children are mentioned in the various parts of the chronicles. The grand total comes to at least 92 different names which consisted of 33 sons and 59 daughters. The discrepancy may be due to recording errors in the sex and/or number of the unnamed children who died young.
The following are the children (1 son, 5 daughters) whose names are not listed in "Hmannan's" detailed list but appear in other parts of in both "Maha Yazawin" and "Hmannan".
Siblings.
Full siblings.
He had four full siblings.
Half siblings.
He had two half-siblings, who were born to his father and his maternal aunt.
Modern descendants.
A 17th generation descendant of his still holds hereditary office in Bohmong Circle (modern-day Bandarban District) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh.


The Search for Weng Weng

The Search for Weng Weng is a 2013 documentary film about Filipino actor Weng Weng (1957–1992), directed by Andrew Leavold. The film follows Leavold's quest to discover the story of the largely forgotten actor, whose real name was Ernesto de la Cruz. His starring roles were in locally produced action comedies films that found worldwide distribution in the early 1980s. Weng Weng is the shortest leading man in cinema history, standing at 83 cm. Leavold, who is Australian, decided to travel to the Philippines with a backpack and a camera and assemble every piece of information he could on the actor. Leavold interviewed many who sometimes both worked with and knew the actor. This includes Eddie Nicart, Bobby A. Suarez, Marrie Lee, Dolphy, Imelda Marcos, Tikoy Aguiluz, among many others. Leavold eventually discovered his remaining relatives, who described the actor's childhood and last years.
In 2007 a rough cut of the film was screened and caught the attention of producers who bought the project. It became the basis of Mark Hartley's "Machete Maidens Unleashed!" (2010), a documentary about cult films made in the Philippines, where Leavold worked as an associate producer and was credited for his original idea. Since it only mentioned Weng Weng briefly, it left Leavold unsatisfied who negotiated with the other producers so that he could finish his film. Leavold launched a successful Kickstarter campaign, and with a team he finished his film.
In 2013 the film premiered in the Philippines and played worldwide in the film festivals circuits the following year, being part of the official selection of the Cinemanila International film festival, Sheffield Doc/Fest, and Udine Far East Film Festival, also Leavold won the Melbourne Monster Fest. The film had a limited theatrical run in North America. It was well reviewed and considered to be insightful as it uncovers the life of Weng Weng while also providing a look at an obscure facet of Filipino culture.
Production.
"The Search for Weng Weng" started as a passion project for in 2000 by director Andrew Leavold who at the time was the owner of Trash Video a cult film video club in Brisbane, Australia. Leavold would often recommend Weng Weng's "The Impossible Kid" (1982) as one of his weirdest films. Leavold decided to travel to the Philippines with a camera to make a documentary about the actor. His first trip went nowhere as he found Filipinos reluctant to speak of B movies made during Marcos regime.
By 2007, Leavold assembled enough footage to show a rough cut and gained the attention of local producers, who bought it and credited Leavold for his original idea as the basis for Mark Hartley's "Machete Maidens Unleashed!" (2010), a documentary about cult films made in the Philippines. Leavold was hired on as an associate producer. The film was well received, but since it only mentioned Weng Weng briefly, it left Leavold unsatisfied.
Since Leavold, couldn't tackle the subject of Weng Weng anymore he went on to work on other projects based in the Philippines, on erotic films that the Marcos family funded during their reign. Leavold managed to interview the matriarch of the family former first lady Imelda Marcos. Eventually he asked her about her recollection of Weng Weng, who she described as an extraordinary person who overcame his disabilities. With the new footage he gathered, Leavold negotiated with the other producers "Machete Maidens Unleashed!" so that he could finish "The Search for Weng Weng". Leavold launched a successful Kickstarter campaign, and with a team he finished the documentary.
Release.
Since its original rough cut screening in 2007, "The Search for Weng Weng" premiered on the 29 November 2013 at the University of the Philippines Cine Adarna, UP Film Center. For that point on the film played in festivals worldwide.
In Canada the film premiered on 29 July 2014 at the Montreal Fantasia International Film Festival, and in the US on 8 November at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. From its release date in both countries the film played theatrically.
Reception.
Dennis Harvey of Variety said it was "A surprisingly far-reaching investigation into the life of a forgotten icon of Pinoy exploitation cinema".
Martin Unsworth of Starburst magazine, concluded his review by writing ""The Search for Weng Weng" not only executes its task admirably, it exceeds by becoming a compelling, thought provoking, and ultimately touching look at the cultural traditions of a country not widely recognised for its cinema. Told with great humour, but never degrading nor mocking".
Amanda Waltz of The Film Stage gave the film a B minus and said: "Wild man or not, Leavold accomplishes what he set out to do, an admirable feat considering the few resources at his disposal. More importantly, he succeeds in spurring a dialogue on Weng Weng’s role as a representation of the Filipino spirit, which, in the grand scheme of things, is more than any film scholar could possibly hope for."
Upon its screening at the International Film Festival Rotterdam it was posted as: "The documentary focuses not only on the - at times hilarious - mythical and mysterious proportions the stories about Weng Weng take on during Leavold’s seven-year quest, but also on the tragedy hiding behind the short life of the small superstar. At the same time, the film zooms out and investigates the Weng Weng phenomenon in the broader context of a more layered Filipino film culture: the ‘Golden Age’ of the Filipino film industry and the first edition of the Manila International Film Festival."
Meg Adonis of Philippine Daily Inquirer noted and recommended "The Search for Weng Weng" as a good companion piece to Lauren Greenfield's "The Kingmaker", and James Jones co-directing with Olivier Sarbil's "On the President’s Orders." Both about are about the politics of the Philippines, the first about former first lady Imelda Marcos's politics while the other one about the current President Rodrigo Duterte. Hence, Adonis links "The Search for Weng Weng" with mostly Greenfield's film, because both feature Marcos, and while one offers a clear look at her politics the other a look on her relationship with the entertainment industry.
Companion book.
Leavold published a companion book also named "The Search for Weng Weng" in 2017.


Pangasinan Provincial Capitol

The Pangasinan Provincial Capitol, on Lingayen Gulf, is the present seat of the government of Pangasinan. It was declared as one of the eight Architectural Treasures of the Philippines by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Located in Lingayen, this government building was constructed during the term of the late Governor Daniel Maramba, the "Grand Old Man of Pangasinan".
History and Architecture.
The provincial capitol, designed by Daniel Burnham, was built on April 21, 1917 and was completed in 1918 with a budget of three hundred thousand pesos. Twenty five hectares of land was obtained by the provincial government and the construction was led by the seventh governor of Pangasinan Daniel Maramba; Members Segundo Estaris and Victor Tomelden; Treasurer J.W. Crow; District Engineer Chas Dandors; and Consulting Architect Ralph Harrington Doane.
The building was made of poured concrete with limestone on the exterior to display its warm color. Part of the plan was to include a court house, jail, garage, storeroom, hospital and residences for the governor and provincial treasures. The entire building is rectangular in plan with two to three stories in height, and set on a podium with several steps. At the center of the façade is the entrance with several doors sheltered by a canopy. The exterior has minimum wall surfaces but maximum window openings to bring in cool sea breeze. The entire structure is guarded from the sun and rain by its colonnade and projecting cornices surrounding the buildings. Inside are big rooms that had high ceilings and large windows were lined along wide corridors, giving an impression of an open pavilion. The architecture style is marked by the use of columns, entablatures and pediments. To make it an enhanced capitol building, the plan used two stories with a monumental main floor lobby and court room on the second floor.
During World War II it was severely damaged and in 1949, it was reconstructed by the provincial board led by the fourteenth governor of Pangasinan Enrique Braganza; Members Vicente Soliven and Miguel de Vera; Treasurer A.F. Buenaventura and District Engineer V.B. Oledan to its pre-war grandeur.
Governor Victor Agbayani, Governor Espino's predecessor, properly restored the building, hiring restoration architect Rene Luis Mata to lead the project. Espino, however, removed several historical elements of the building through misguided renovations. The building underwent a general facelift under Espino from 2007 to 2008 with the help of Architect Chris David of Pampanga, which led to the unfortunate alteration of the historical character of the interior.


Ivan Grevs

Ivan Mikhailovich Grevs (; 4 May 1860 – 16 May 1941) was a Russian historian and one of the founders of the Russian school of medievalism that emphasised the influence of the Roman Empire on the social structure of medieval Europe. He was an advocate of the education of women.
He was born into a landholding family who originally came from England during the time of Peter the Great. The surname had been Greaves. He was born on his father's estate near Lutovinov, Biryusinsky district, Voronezh.
In 1873, he moved to Saint Petersburg, where he died in 1941. He is buried at Volkovskoe Lutheran Cemetery.


Baitadi District

Baitadi District ( ), historical name “Bairath” (बैराथ), a part of Sudurpashchim Province, is one of the 77 districts of Nepal. It is a Hill district. Baitadi, with Dasharathchand as its headquarters, covers an area of and has a population of 250,898 according to the census (2011). The Baitadi district entails 56 village development councils (VDCs) and two municipality in the past. Now, by federal policy there are 10 local units; 4 Municipalities (Dashrath Chand, Patan, Melauli and Purchudi) and 6 Rural Municipalities ( Surnaya, Sigas, Shivnath, Pancheshwor, Dogada Kedar and Dilasaini). Baitadi falls into the farthest western regional district of Nepal touching Jhulaghat, India, Nepal's neighboring country, to its border.
History.
Baitadi was part of Kumaon Kingdom until gorkha invasion of Kumaon in 1791, the region once a part of the Great Katyuri's Kingdom. After the fall of that Kingdom, around the 10th century, Khas King Ashok Challa of "Sapadalaksh" (Karnali Zone or Dullu, Dailekh) seized most of that part of the Katyuri's Kingdom, including Baitadi. There were three major centres of Khas King i.e., (1) Bairath (Baitadi) (2) Kamadesh (kali kumaun) and (3) Kedarbhumi (Garhwal) to rule in a Central Himalaya. According to the historical folk-tales in Baitadi it was one of the Chand Kings who fought with the Khas king and established a sovereign state for the Chand dynasty in Baitadi. These tales resembled a historical story of the establishment of Kumaun Kingdom. One of the view of the historians of Uttarakhand, a state in India, Nepal's neighboring country, suggest that it was Thohar Chand who was responsible for establishing the Chand dynasty in Kali-Kumaun. He then changed his name to Abhai Chand after he became a King. Badri Dutt Pandey written history of Kumaun book has quoted the following story about the history of Kumaun.
Gyan Chand (1376 A.D) was the first ruler of the Chand Dynasty of Champawat who was part of the third generation from Thohar Chand or Abhai Chand. Gyan Chand's grandfather, Trilok Chand, and his father, Kalyan Chand, were rulers of Baitadi, according to the folk tales.
Rulers:
The Name of the Kings who ruled in Baitadi were:
Gorkha kingdom annexed Kumaon in 1791 and merged baitadi in Doti District until 1885. Baitadi and Dadeldhura had same "Bada-Hakim" (District Administrators) so those two districts jointly used to call Baitadi-Dadeldhura district until 1956. The "Baitadi-Dadeldhura" district named Mahakali District after 1956. In 1956 four county (Thums) of Baitadi separated and made a sub-district of Mahakali district. From 1956 to 1962 "Mahakali district" had three sub-districts.
In 1962, Darchula (Chamba) separated from Baitadi District.
Demographics.
According to the 2011 census, Baitadi District has a population of 250,898, with an absentee population of 21,038, roughly equal to that of the nation of Vanuatu. Baitadi District has a sex ratio of 87:95 of which 133,491 are female., The largest ethnic group is Khas/Chhetri make 76% of total population. Bahun, Thakuri and sanyasi/giri makes 21% khas dalit make 3%. of total population.
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 97.7% of the population in the district spoke Baitadeli, 1.0% Nepali and 0.8% Doteli as their first language.
Administration.
The district is administered by District Coordination Committee (Legislative), District Administration Office (Executive) and District Court (Judicial) as follows:
Administrative divisions.
The district consists of ten municipalities, out of which four are urban municipalities and three are rural municipalities. These are as follows:
Former Village Development Committees.
Prior to the restructuring of the district, Baitadi District consisted of the following municipalities and Village development committees:
Sports.
Cricket is a very popular sport in Baitadi, and Baitadi has won many regional competitions; It is home to many eminent national players for the Nepal national cricket team.
Communication.
Saugaat FM 103.6 MHz, Samsher, FM 106.6 MHz and Ninglashaini FM 94.0 MHz are the radio stations of the Baitadi District.
Radio Pura Sanchar 97.0 MHz is also in the Baitadi District.
Agriculture.
Corn and wheat are the main crops of this region, but millet, maize and rice are also grown for home use. Commercial farming is not popular in this region. Some fruits are grown and exported to the nearby headquarters Bhimdatta and Dhangadhi—particularly Mandarins, Oranges, Lemons, and sometimes Emblica. The latter is found both domesticated and growing wild in the forests. Sapindus or Soapnut is also grown and used for washing clothes as well a bodies. Sapindus is also exported to nearby towns.


Free Democratic Party (Turkey)

Liberal Democrat Party () was a former political party in Turkey
There were three parties in the Turkish Parliament during the 17th Parliament of Turkey (1983-1987). The smallest of them was Nationalist Democracy Party (MDP) and according to most analysts, it was further losing support. Consequently, during the congress held on 13 July 1985, Turgut Sunalp the chairman of the party lost against Ülkü Söylemezoğlu. But even after this change the party continued to lose support. At a party congress held on 4 May 1986 the MDP dissolved itself. While some members joined other parties such as True Path Party and Motherland Party, the remaining members formed the Free Democratic Party under the leadership of Mehmet Yazar, the former chairman of the confederation of trade chambers on 9 May 1986.
However, in the by-elections held on 28 September 1986, the Free Democrats could receive only 1.4% and two months later the party dissolved itself and Mehmet Yazar as well as 13 other HDP members joined the Motherland Party.


Jibaozhai Museum

The Jibaozhai Museum was a museum and 'patriotic education center' that was located in the village of Erpu in Jizhou, which is in the province of Hebei. It was closed in 2013 due to a fraud.
Construction.
The museum was built in 2007. It contained twelve exhibit halls and 40,000 exhibits. The collection was said to cost 20 million yuan. However, a former accountant from the village claims that the collection was worth 30 million yuan, which has made many in the village suspicious that the museum was a front for money laundering by the local communist party chief, Wang Zongquan.
Closure.
On July 6, 2013, a popular writer from Beijing named Ma Boyong visited the museum and discovered that many of the artifacts were fake, and posted this information on his microblog. This led to an investigation by the authorities where it was found that most of the items in the museum were fakes. Exhibits included a vase with contemporary cartoon characters and artifacts that were said to be from 2700 BC but had modern simplified Chinese characters on them. The authorities closed the museum and revoked its license for fraud.


Stanley H. Ford

Stanley Hamer Ford (January 30, 1877 - January 19, 1961) was a United States Army General. He was prominent as commander of the Philippine Department, 1st Infantry Division, Seventh Corps Area, Sixth Corps Area, and the Second United States Army.
Early life.
Ford was born on January 30, 1877 in Columbus, Ohio. Ford graduated from the Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1898, and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the United States Army.
Spanish–American War.
Ford saw service in Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish–American War, serving with the 16th Infantry in Cuba and the 25th Infantry in the Philippines.
Post Spanish–American War.
After the war he served in a series of staff and command assignments, including Infantry and Quartermaster postings to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, Washington, D.C., and the installation now known as Fort Drum, New York.
World War I.
During World War I, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the 84th Infantry Division and Chief of Staff of the 27th Infantry Division.
Post World War I.
Ford continued his Army career after the war, completing the General Staff College in 1920.
He served as commander of the 16th Infantry Regiment from 1924 to 1926.
From 1926 to 1930 Ford served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army's Military Intelligence Division.
Ford attained the rank of Brigadier General in 1930. In the early 1930s, General Ford served as military attache in Paris, France. He then commanded 1st Brigade 1st Infantry Division. After his brigade command, Ford took command of the Philippine Department.
Ford was promoted to Major General in 1936 and successively commanded 1st Infantry Division Seventh Corps Area, Sixth Corps Area, and Second Army simultaneously with Sixth Corps Area.
In October 1938 Ford took command of the Second Army, which was responsible for overseeing U.S. Army organizations in several mid-western and southern states. On 5 August 1939, he was promoted temporarily to Lieutenant General in accordance with "An Act To provide for the rank and title of lieutenant general of the Regular Army." He was one of the first four active duty officers promoted to lieutenant general since 1918.,
He was a member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.
World War II.
As commander of Second Army Ford oversaw execution of large scale maneuvers and exercises by active Army and National Guard troops that enhanced their readiness in anticipation of fighting in Europe and the Pacific during World War II.
General Ford ended his military career upon reaching mandatory retirement age in January, 1941.
Post military career.
During World War II he assisted John F. O'Ryan, the World War I commander of the 27th Infantry Division, during O'Ryan's assignment as New York State's Civil Defense Director.
Personal.
General Ford married Lona Pace in 1904. Their son Hamer Pace Ford (1905–1950) graduated from West Point in 1924 and was a career Army officer, attaining the rank of Colonel before his death in Berlin, Germany. In 1933 General Ford married Katherine Welch of Philadelphia.
Death and interment.
General Ford died at the Army's Carlisle Barracks on January 19, 1961, while en route to John F. Kennedy's inaugural. He was buried in Philadelphia's Laurel Hill Cemetery, Section K, Lot 214-SW 1/4.
Awards and decorations.
In 1940 General Ford received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Ohio State University.


Koh Ker

Konh Ker () is a remote archaeological site in northern Cambodia about away from Siem Reap and the ancient site of Angkor. It is a jungle filled region that is sparsely populated. More than 180 sanctuaries were found in a protected area of . Only about two dozen monuments can be visited by tourists because most of the sanctuaries are hidden in the forest and the whole area is not fully demined.
Koh Ker is the modern name for an important city of the Khmer empire. In inscriptions the town is mentioned as "Lingapura" (city of lingams) or "Chok Gargyar" (translated as "city of glance", or as "iron tree forest").
Under the reign of the kings Jayavarman IV and Harshavarman II Koh Ker was briefly the capital of the whole empire (928–944 AD). Jayavarman IV enforced an ambitious building program. An enormous water-tank and about forty temples were constructed under his rule. The most significant templecomplex, a double sanctuary (Prasat Thom/Prang), follows a linear plan and not a concentric one like most of the temples of the Khmer kings. Unparalleled is the -high seventiered pyramid, which most probably served as state temple of Jayavarman IV. Really impressive too are the shrines with the twometer high lingas.
Under Jayavarman IV, the "style of Koh Ker" was developed and the art of sculpture reached a pinnacle. A great variety of statues were chiseled. Because of its remoteness, the site of Koh Ker was plundered many times by looters. Sculptures of Koh Ker can be found not only in different museums, but also in private collections. Masterpieces of Koh Ker are offered occasionally at auctions. These pieces, in present times, are considered stolen art.
The site is about two and half hours away from Siem Reap, and guests can stay in the nearby village of Seyiong, 10 km from the temples where there is a number of guests houses. Travellers can also stay in Koh Ker Jungle Lodge Homestay, a sustainable tourism project built in the village of Koh Ker in 2009, by booking in advance of arrival. The Koh Ker community in May 2019 open a basic wooden community rest house in the village.
Since 1992 the site of Koh Ker is on the UNESCO tentative world heritage list.
Geography.
Koh Ker is situated between the southern slopes of the Dangrek mountains, the Kulen mountains (Phnom Kulen) in the south-west, and the Tbeng mountain (Phnom Tbeng, near Tbeng Meanchey) in the east. Most parts of the hilly ground are covered by jungle, but most of the trees shed their leaves seasonally. The city of Koh Ker was on the most important strategic route of the Khmer empire. Coming from Angkor and Beng Mealea to Koh Ker this road led to Prasat Preah Vihear and from there to Phimai in Thailand and Wat Phu in Laos . The region of Koh Ker is relatively dry. Numerous water-tanks and canals were built during the 9th and the 10th century to ensure the water supply. These days water is pumped up from a depth of meters.
History.
Jayavarman IV.
Jayavarman IV ruled from 928 to 941 at Koh Ker. He was a believed to have been the local king at this remote site, possibly his homeland, before he became king of the whole empire. That could explain why he had his residence at Koh Ker and not at Roluos (Hariharalaya) or at Yashodharapura (Angkor) like the kings before him. Some historians think that Jayavarman IV was an usurper; but, the majority of them believe that he was a legitimate ruler who could ascend to the throne because he married a half-sister of king Yasovarman I (889 – 900). What is certain is that the two sons of Yasovarman I (Harshavarman I, who ruled from 900 to 922 and Isanavarman II, who ruled from 922 to 925?) had no children. In the short time that Jayavarman IV reigned in Koh Ker, an ambitious building program was realised. That was only possible because of a restrictive system of raising taxes as seen on inscriptions found at the site. About 40 temples, the unique seven-tiered pyramid and a huge baray (water-reservoir) were built. Under Jayavarman IV, the Koh Ker-style was developed and the art of sculpture reached a pinnacle.
Harshavarman II.
After the death of Jayavarman IV, the designated prince did not take his place. Harshavarman II (another son of Jayavarman IV) claimed the throne. Like his father, he ruled at Koh Ker (941 – 944) but after three years he died; likely not due to natural causes. None of the temples at Koh Ker can be ascribed to him. His follower on the throne, a cousin of his, returned Roluos (Hariharalaya) to the seat of power.
Koh Ker after 944 AD.
Even after 944, as the capital of the Khmer Empire had changed back to the plains north of the Tonle Sap-lake, more temples were built at the site of Koh Ker. An inscription mentions the reign of Udayadityavarman I in 1001. At the beginning of the 13th century the last sanctuary was realised there. Under Jayavarman VII, the Prasat Andong Kuk, a so-called hospital-chapel, was built, one of more than 100 of hospital-sanctuaries built under this ruler.
History of research.
19th century.
In the second part of the 19th century, French adventurers ranged the forests around the site of Koh Ker while hunting game. They brought word of the structures in the area back to France. The French researchers Lunet de Lajonquière and Étienne Aymonier came to Koh Ker. They saw the main temple-complex Prasat Thom/Prang, the Baray and a group of linga-shrines. They also discovered a few subsections of a chaussée (i.e. highway) with a breadth of more than . They supposed that a road once connected Koh Ker with Wat Phu (today in southern Laos). Around 1880, members of a French expedition arrived at Koh Ker and looted numerous statues and reliefs. These pieces are now in the Musée Guimet in Paris.
20th century.
At the beginning of the 20th century, art historians realised that a full-fledged style was developed at Koh Ker. Georges Coedès concluded from inscriptions that Koh Ker was capital of the Khmer empire (928 – 944 AD) under the reign of Jayavarman IV and his follower Harshavarman II. In the 1930s, again French researchers came to Koh Ker. They discovered numerous monuments and counted fifty sanctuaries in an area of . Henry Parmentier made a number of drawings. After an interruption because of the reign of terror of the Khmer rouge, research at Koh Ker continued by APSARA, French, Japanese and Australian scientists.
21st century.
At the beginning of the 21st century, scientists concluded that not all of the monuments could have been built in the short time when Koh Ker was capital of the Khmer empire (928 – 944 AD). A new era started at Koh Ker as photographs made by satellites were analysed. In 2004 the protected area was extended to . For five years, Japanese researchers explored and described 184 monuments, including documenting their exact locations. The Australian researcher Damian Evans and his team were able to verify Lajonquière's theory that there once was a Khmer route between Koh Ker and Wat Phu, probably the most important strategic road of the Khmer empire.
Excavations in December 2015 by Cambodian and international teams near Prasat Thom and the Rahal in the ancient urban core area of Koh Ker have yielded radiocarbon dates that clearly place significant habitation and activity beginning as early as the 7th-8th centuries CE - often noted as the Chenla period by historians. Some pottery types may date to the earlier Funan period. Over 24,000 artifacts and ecofacts were recovered from three test sites. Artifacts are mostly pottery fragments with local and exotic types representing over 1000 years of site use throughout the occupational sequence. Exotic pottery types include Chinese stoneware and glazed ware from the Song Yuan periods. Other exotic pottery include Thai and Vietnamese stoneware that generally date to the late Angkor and post-Angkor periods. Possible Persian pottery dating to the 9th century has been noted as well. Thus, Koh Ker has been linked to long distance value chains for considerable time spans. Although the area may have been significantly repurposed during the 10th century construction-boom heyday of Jayavarman IV, site use and activity continued well beyond the 10th century. Intensity of activities and density of occupation may have oscillated over time in relation to political and socio-economic factors. Natural and human resource management variables as well as environmental phenomena may have also played significant roles related to changes in popularity, population and productivity. The project is part of the Nalanda - Sriwijaya Centre (NSC) Field School led by Dr. D. Kyle Latinis (NSC) and Dr. Ea Darith (APSARA National Authority) with further support from the National Authority for Preah Vihear (NAPV).
Religion.
Before Koh Ker became capital of the Khmer empire (928 AD), numerous sanctuaries with Shiva-lingas existed already. Koh Ker was a cult site where Shiva had been worshipped a long time. Also Jayavarman IV was an ardent worshipper of this Hindu god. As later kings (whose residence was not in Koh Ker) changed from Hinduism to Buddhism they gave orders to make the necessary adjustments at their temples. Because of its remoteness, the sanctuaries at Koh Ker were spared from these interventions.
Inscriptions.
Several inscriptions were found which mention Koh Ker as capital of the empire in Siem Reap, Battambang, Takeo and Kampong Cham (city). From inscriptions discovered at Koh Ker, it is estimated that more than ten thousand people lived at Koh Ker when it was the capital (928 – 944 AD). The inscriptions explain how manpower was organised: taxes in form of rice were raised in the whole country and served to provide for the workers who came from different provinces. An inscription at Prasat Damrei says that the shrine on the top of the state temple (Prang) houses a lingam of about and that the erection of this Shiva-symbol gave a lot of problems". A Sanskrit inscription at Prasat Thom gives evidence of the consecration of a Shiva-lingam 921 AD which was worshipped under the name of Tribhuvaneshvara ("Lord of the Threefold World").
Style of Koh Ker.
None of the immense, expressive and beautiful sculptures are left at the site. Numerous of them were stolen and are standing now in museums and also in private collections. Some statues were put away by government organizations to protect them from looters. Many masterpieces of Koh Ker are now in the collection of the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
In late 2011, the remote location drew media attention worldwide when Sotheby's attempted to sell a statue of a mythical Khmer Empire warrior. In March 2012, the US and Cambodian governments filed court documents to seize the statue that they purport was illegally removed from the site. A twin statue, also linked to the Koh Ker site, is on display at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California.
Ancient city Koh Ker.
The center of the ancient city was in the north-east corner of the baray (water-tank). Inscriptions say at least ten thousand inhabitants lived there during the rule of Jayavarman IV. Past researchers believed a square wall with a side length of protected the town. But new research indicates that the linear structures found in this part of Koh Ker were dykes of ancient canals. Concerning the wooden buildings of the Khmer time no artefacts are found.
Laterite, sandstone and brick were used as construction materials in Koh Ker. Laterite and sandstone of excellent quality were quarried in great quantities in the region of Koh Ker, so the transport of the stones to the site was no problem. The bricks produced were small, regular and very solid. A thin layer of organic mortar of unknown formula was used, possibly some form of plant sap. After more than a millennium the brick sanctuaries in Koh Ker are in a much better condition than the laterite ones. The roofs of some temples in Koh Ker had a wood construction and were covered with tiles. In these monuments, holes for the wooden girders are found. The main sanctuary (the temple-complex Prasat Thom/Prang) was not standing in the middle of the ancient city.
Water-Tanks.
Rahal.
The huge Baray (water-tank) called "Rahal" is the largest object at the site of the ancient capital Koh Ker. Its length is about and its breath about . The water-tank has three dams covered by steps of laterite. The orientation of the Rahal is not from east to west like the huge water-reservoirs in Angkor; it follows an orientation of North 15° West. Because the most important monuments at Koh Ker have the same orientation it is thought that the Baray was constructed first and the rest of the structures were laid out around it. The Rahal was carved out partly of the stone ground but it's not clear if a natural hollow was the reason for its orientation. These days most parts of the Baray are dried out and covered by grass. Some puddles can be seen in the corner next to the double-sanctuary.
Trapeang Andong Preng.
 south of the double-sanctuary Prasat Thom/Prang is a basin dug into the earth with a length of . It has steps of laterite on all sides. During the rainy season the water is standing to a depth of . The Trapeang Andong Preng does not belong to a temple, but it could have been a royal bath, because near this place was once the wooden palace of the king.
Temples and shrines.
Complex of the double sanctuary Prasat Thom/Prang.
Linear plan.
The complex of the main monument in Koh Ker has a linear plan and is about long. Its orientation is E15°N, that is parallel to the Baray. The parking area cuts the complex in two parts. On the east side of the parking are two structures, called "palaces". On the west side are the other monuments. They are standing behind the restaurants and are from east to west: an immense entrance pavilion, two towers, a red brick entrance-tower ("Prasat Krahom"), a surrounding wall with two courts (in the eastern court is the temple-complex Prasat Thom with a moat, in the western court stands the seven tiered pyramid, named "Prang"). Behind the enclosure is an artificial hill, the socalled "Tomb of the White Elephant". Except the "Prasat Krahom" and the "Prang" (pyramid). This temple-complex is in a bad condition.
Palaces.
At the east side of the parking area are two structures the so-called palaces. Each consists of four rectangular buildings surrounding a court. All eight buildings have three rooms, some have a patio with pillars. Possibly these palaces served as meditation- or prayer-rooms for the king or nobles.
Entrance pavilion and laterite towers.
Between the palaces and the closest monument is a distance of . On the left side of the parking area (behind the restaurants) is the entrance pavilion made of sandstone. It stands away from the double sanctuary and has a cruciform ground-plan. The crossbar is long; the stringer has a length of . Parallel to the cross-bar are two halls. Directly behind the entrance-pavilion are the ruins of two huge laterite towers.
Prasat Krahom.
Behind the ruins of the entrance-pavilion and the laterite towers is a red brick tower, called Prasat Krahom ("krahom" = red), which gives entrance to the enclosed monuments. It has a cruciform plan, is in a good condition and once housed a statue of the "Dancing Shiva" with five heads and ten arms. The sculpture had a height of , but is now broken completely. A fragment of a hand of can be seen in the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
Outer enclosure.
The outer enclosure has a length of and a breadth of An additional wall divides the inner area in two. In the eastern court are a moat and the temple-complex "Prasat Thom"; in the western court is the pyramid, called "Prang". The eastern court with a length of is nearly square, the western court has a length of .
Moat.
The moat in the eastern court is about wide. It borders the "Prasat Thom". Lined by trees it looks very picturesque. Two dams, one at the east side, the other at the west side are leading to the ground within the moat. The dams are flanked by Naga-balustrades. On the eastern dam between the Nagas was additionally a colonnade with pillars. Behind each Naga of the east side was standing a huge Garuda.
Prasat Thom.
Probably some parts of the Prasat Thom including the moat and the 1. (inner) enclosure were built before 921 AD. The sanctuary was expanded under the reign of Jayavarman IV and has now two surrounding walls inside of the moat. The first wall (inner wall) is made of brick; the second wall (outer wall) with a length of and a breath of is made of laterite. Two doors are in the east and in the west. The doors of the second wall have a cruciform plan. The doors of the first wall are smaller and not of cruciform layout. The plane between the first and second wall is completely overbuilt with rectangular structures, possibly later additions. In the center court is the sanctuary and opposite it are two socalled libraries. Behind the sanctuary on a rectangular platform stand nine towers in two rows (one of five, one four towers). Twelve smaller prasats in groups of three surround the platform. All 21 towers once housed lingas.
Prang.
The seventiered pyramid called "Prang" was probably the state temple of Jayavarman IV. Construction of the sanctuary was started in 928 AD. At ground level one, side of the square building measures . The height is . Originally on the top platform stood a huge lingam probably more than high and having a weight of several tons. Inscriptions say that it was the tallest and most beautiful Shiva-ling-am. The ling-am probably stood in a shrine which some researchers say could have been about high. On the north side of the pyramid is a steep staircase leading to the top. The original stairs are in a very bad condition as is the bamboo-ladder which was constructed in the 20th century, so it is forbidden to climb to the top of the pyramid via this route. There is however a new staircase which can be used to ascend to the top tit of the pyramid. Concerning the seventh tier some scientists say, this was the platform of the shrine because on its sides beautiful reliefs of Garudas were made. There is just one Khmer temple which resembles the temple Baksei Chamkrong in Angkor. But the fourtiered monument there is much smaller and has a staircase on each of the four sides. On the platform on the top of the Baksei Chamkrong is a prasat in a good condition.
Tomb of the White Elephant.
Behind the court with the seventiered pyramid is an artificial hill of exact circle form covered with trees. It is named "Tomb of the White elephant". "The white Elephant" is a very well-known legend in southeast Asia. There are different theories about the hill. Some say that this structure could be the foundation of a second pyramid. Others say that it could be the grave of Jayavarman IV. The steep path leading to the top of the hill is closed now because of security reasons.
Sanctuaries along the access road.
Prasat Pram.
The most south sanctuary of this group is the Prasat Pram on the west side of the road. A small () long path leads to the monument. It has five towers or prasats ("pram" = five). Three brick towers stand in a row on the same platform. They face east. The central one is a bit taller than the others. In each of these prasats, once stood a lingam. These and the beautifully carved lintels were looted. Two prasats (faced west) are standing in front of the platform. One is built of brick and has diamondshaped holes in the upper part. This fact indicates that this tower once served as a fire sanctuary (fire cults were very important during the era of the Khmer kings). The other building is small, made of laterite and (in comparison with the brick towers) in bad condition. The bricks of small regular size are held together with an organic mortar of unknown composition (plant sap?). Originally the towers were covered by white stucco; remains of it can still be seen. Two of the towers are pictorially covered by roots. The five towers are surrounded by an enclosure. The collapsed entrance door (gopuram) is at the east side. Two artefacts of the Prasat Pram can be seen in the National Museum in Phnom Penh: A damaged lion statue and fragments of a standing four-armed Vishnu.
Prasat Bak.
More north than the Prasat Neang Khmau and on the west side of the road is the Prasat Bak, a small square sanctuary built of laterite; one side measures only . The temple which is in a very bad condition today housed till 1960 a colossal statue of Ganesha (Ganesha is a Hindu god, son of Shiva and Uma. He is depicted with a human body and an elephant's head). It is known, that the sculpture with the sitting Ganesha now is in a collection outside of Cambodia.
Prasat Chen.
This sanctuary is the most north of this group and lies too on the west side of the street. It has two enclosures. The main entrance door (now collapsed) was itself a sanctuary with a square central room (one side measured ). Three laterite towers (partially collapsed) stand on the same platform. In front of them are the remains of two brick libraries. The statue of the two fighting monkey kings Sugriva and Valin (figures of the Hindu epic Ramayana) was found at this site and is now in the National Museum in Phnom Penh. A fragment of a multi-armed statue of Vishnu was found in front of the tower in the middle. In this temple are five inscriptions. They mention the names of all the numerous peoples connected to the temple site and their function.
Monuments along the ring-road.
Prasat Balang (Prasat Leung Moi).
The Prasat Balang is the first of three Linga-Shrines standing along the ring-road. It is a square laterite building standing on a platform and has one doorway and an open roof. In the sanctuary is an impressive lingam standing on yoni. The phallus-symbol is about high, has a diameter of nearly and a weight of several tons. Together with the yoni it was carved out of the bedrock at this place. The lingam is in a good condition. The yoni is about high and looks like an altar. On all four sides once were carved reliefs. In each of the four corners stood a beautiful chiselled Garudu with raised arms giving the impression these mythical figures would bear the yoni. Unfortunately the reliefs and the Garudas were looted. Around the Yoni there is just a small space giving room for some priests to perform the prescribed rituals. The water they put on the lingam became holy by touching the symbol of Shiva, run down and was collected in a ditch of the yoni. Then via a spout (with is still intact) it flowed to the outside of the shrine where believers could touch the blessed water.
Prasat Thneng (Prasat Leung Pee).
The Prasat Thneng is very similar to the Prasat Balang. Unfortunately looters tried to hack away the impressive lingam but were not successful. A notch of about a depth of half a meter (20 in) is left but the Shicva-symbol is still standing unshakeable at its place on the damaged yoni.
Leung Bye.
Prasat Leung Bon
Prasat Damrei.
A small path leads from the ring-road to the Prasat Damrei (damrei = elephant). This sanctuary has an enclosure and stands on a high platform. On each of its four sides is a staircase with about ten steps. Eight stone lions once flanked the stairs but only one remains in its original place. A beautiful elephant sculpture once stood at each of the four corners of the platform but only two remain. The sanctuary is built of brick and is in good condition. A Sanskrit inscription found at the temple offers evidence that an erstwhile lingam was once erected on the top of the pyramid (Prang).


Cooperative Democratic Party

The Cooperative Democratic Party (, "Kyōdō Minshutō") was a political party in Japan.
History.
The party was established as the Cooperative Democratic Club on 24 May 1946 as a merger of the Japan Cooperative Party and several minor local parties with links to farmers or small businesses, and initially had 31 Diet members. Twelve days after its establishment, it was renamed the Cooperative Democratic Party (CDP).
Later in the year the party held talks with the Shinseikai about a merger, but a sticking point was the inclusion of the word "cooperative" in the new party's name, which the Shinseikai members were against. The dispute also led to two CDP members leaving the party due to their refusal to compromise. In March 1947, following the passing of a new electoral law that favoured larger parties, the CDP merged with the National Party to form the National Cooperative Party.


East Indonesia Mujahideen

The East Indonesia Mujahideen (; abbreviated MIT) is a terrorist group operating out of Poso, Sulawesi in Indonesia. The group was led by Abu Wardah (also known as Santoso) until he was killed by Indonesian police on 18 July 2016. After the death of Santoso, the group was led by Ali Kalora. The group has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
MIT was proscribed by the United Nations Security Council under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee on 29 September 2015. The US Department of State has designated MIT as a terrorist organisation.
MIT has largely carried out its operations within Sulawesi but has threatened to attack targets across Indonesia. The group's operations have typically avoided operations that would cause civilian casualties, but was reportedly involved in clashes between Muslims and Christians in Maluku province between 1999 and 2002.
History.
The group was founded in 2010 by Santoso in Central Sulawesi area. The group was closely affiliated with West Indonesia Mujahideen that is led by Abu Roban. Abu Roban was later killed in 2013 during a police raid in Central Java.
On 2012, Santoso was chosen to be the leader of the group. On 2016, Santoso was killed by Indonesian forces.
Actions and attacks.
2012.
The group gained their notoriety and fame after kidnapping, and later killing, two police officers in October 2012. Both police officers were kidnapped and then killed when they were scouting the area for probable terrorist activities. Both of the bodies were found by Indonesian Army search parties that were sent out after both officers were unable to be contacted. During the search operations, Santoso taunted Indonesian military and law enforcement to "fight him like a man" and to "stop looking good on television". The group was known to have prepared traps for Indonesian military search parties. Despite the action of the MIT and the death of the police officers, Indonesian search and rescue attempts were able to corner MIT multiple times.
On 24 October, the group attacked a police kiosk on Poso, Central Sulawesi, injuring four people; two police officers and two civilians.
2014.
One of the perpetrators in the killing of the police officers in 2012 is arrested at Mamasa, West Sulawesi, by Densus 88. During the year, the group allegedly shot at a police station. The police also stated that MIT have participated in the abductions and killings of civilians, some of the killing is allegedly done because the civilian is acting as informant for the security forces.
2015.
During 2015, the terrorist group conduct attacks on Christians, and also involved in shootouts with Indonesian police. One Indonesian soldier and one police officer is killed during the year.
2016.
One Indonesian police officer is killed by MIT during a shootout at Poso, while the two of the terrorists are killed. Indonesian police stated that the terrorist group is operating on a difficult terrain at Pegunungan Biru. Indonesian police claimed that during their operation on 2016 28 members of the terrorist group has been arrested.
2020.
After years of inactivity, the terrorist group struck again on November 2020, killing a Christian family, burning a Christian church, and also set fire to 6 homes. Days after the attack, Indonesian National Police claimed that during the year Detachment 88 have arrested 32 alleged terrorists from East Indonesia Mujahideen.
2021.
A total of 4 farmers in the Napu Valley, Kalimango Village, East Lore Subdistrict, Poso District, were allegedly killed by the East Indonesian Mujahidin group led by Ali Kalora, this killing took place on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.
Foreign assistance.
Uyghurs.
Turkish passports were used by Uyghurs who were seeking to contact Mujahidin Indonesia Timor.
ISIS/ISIL aligned Uyghurs have been traveling to Indonesia to participate in terrorist attacks against Shia, Christians, and the Indonesian government, during a terrorist attack in Central Sulawesi, one Uighur, Farouk, was killed by Indonesian security personnel in November, and another Uighur terrorist, Alli, was arrested for plotting a terrorist attack. China has been contacted by the Indonesian government who sought assistance in confronting Uighur members of terrorist organizations in Indonesia. Indonesia arrested a possible suicide bomber named Ali, a Uyghur, on 24 December 2015.
In Sulawesi on Tuesday 15 March 2016 two pro-ISIS Uyghurs in Indonesia were liquidated by Indonesian government forces. The Indonesians used bullets to kill them. The "Doğu Türkistan Bülteni Haber Ajansı" which supports the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), denounced the Indonesian government and police for their killing of 2 Uyghurs who were members of "Doğu Endonezya Mücahitleri" (Mujahidin Indonesia Timor). 2 Uyghurs with suspected terror ties were killed in Sulawesi by Indonesian security forces on 8 April and the killings were condemned by "Doğu Türkistan Bülteni Haber Ajansı". The "Doğu Türkistan Bülteni Haber Ajansı" slammed the Indonesian government for hunting down four Uyghurs who illegally entered the country to join "Doğu Endonezya Mücahitleri" and accused the Indonesian government of attacking Muslims. A Uighur accused of terror ties was killed in Sulawesi by the Indonesian security forces on 24 April, for which the "Doğu Türkistan Bülteni Haber Ajansı" condemned the Indonesian government.
In Poso Uyghurs were being instructed by Santoso, the head of Mujahideen Indonesia Timur. Faruq Magalasi, Mus'ab, Ibrohim, and Joko were the names obtained by the Indonesian media of Uyghurs being hunted by the Indonesian police.
In Poso four Uyghurs were captured by Indonesian police after they allegedly illegally entered Indonesia via Malaysia and Thailand with forged passports.
Death of members.
On 18 July 2016, Indonesian forces claimed to have shot and killed MIT leader Santoso. Andika Eka Putra, one of the members of MIT, was killed on 14 September 2016. Sobron was also killed by Tinombala Operation's Task Force on 19 September 2016. On 16 May 2017, two MIT militants were killed in a firefight with Indonesian forces in Poso. One Indonesian soldier was injured in the action.
In 23 July 2019, Indonesian National Police arrested two suspected terrorist with ties with Jamaah Ansharut Daulah and East Indonesia Mujahideen in the city of Padang, West Sumatra. The authorities besieged the possible routes used by the terrorists, without other arrests.
Members.
According to Police commissioner Leo Bona Lubis, before this Santoso group together with his followers numbered 28 people. But it increased to 45 people who were thought to be in the mountain and the forest in Poso Pesisir Bersaudara dan Lore.