Bhoja vs Charles VI of France

Bhoja patronized the university at Dhara, his capital, attracting scholars from across India. He established a library and supported studies in grammar, philosophy, and astronomy. This made Dhara a major center of learning.

Bhoja wrote the Samarangana Sutradhara, a comprehensive treatise on architecture and engineering. The text covers temple construction, town planning, and mechanical devices. It became a foundational work in Indian architectural theory.

Bhoja's army was defeated by the Chaulukya king Bhima I of Gujarat in a battle near the Narmada River. This loss halted Paramara expansion westward and forced Bhoja to pay tribute. It marked a significant setback for his reign.

Bhoja began construction of the Bhojeshwar Temple at Bhojpur, dedicated to Shiva. The temple features a massive lingam and a large dome, but was left incomplete at his death. It remains a significant example of Paramara architecture.

Charles VI suffered his first major episode of madness while on a military campaign in Brittany. He killed several of his own knights in a fit of frenzy. This began a lifelong pattern of intermittent insanity that crippled royal authority.

Charles VI's reign saw the outbreak of a civil war between the Armagnac and Burgundian factions, who fought for control of the mad king. This internal conflict weakened France and allowed Henry V of England to conquer much of the kingdom.

Charles VI signed the Treaty of Troyes, which disinherited his son, the future Charles VII, and recognized Henry V of England as his heir. This treaty was forced by the Burgundian faction and effectively made France a dual monarchy with England.