Govindachandra (Gahadavala dynasty)

Govindachandra
Ashva-pati
Nara-pati
Gaja-pati
Rajatrayadhipati
Shrimad-Govindachandra
A Kalachuri-style 'seated goddess' coin of Govindachandra (r. c. 1114–1155 CE). 412 masha, gold. Obv: Four-armed Tathagat Buddha seated cross-legged on lotus on obverse side holding a lotus in the upper two hands. Rev: Inscription in Nagari script :'Shrimad-Govindachandra'.
King of Kannauj
Reignc. 1114–1155 CE
PredecessorMadanapala
SuccessorVijayachandra
SpouseNayanakeli-devi, Gosalla-devi, Kumara-devi, and Vasanta-devi
IssueAsphotachandra, Rajyapala and Vijayachandra
DynastyGahadavala
FatherMadanapala
MotherRalhadevi

Govindachandra (IAST: Govindacandra, r. c. 1114–1155 CE) was the King of Kannauj from 1114 to 1155 and was a member of the Gahadavala dynasty.

Govindachandra was the most powerful ruler of his dynasty. As a prince, he achieved military successes against the Ghaznavids and the Palas. As a sovereign, he defeated the Kalachuris of Tripuri, and annexed some of their territories.

The "Vishnu-Hari inscription" recording the construction of a temple during Govindachandra's reign was found among the Babri mosque debris. The authenticity of this inscription is controversial. According to some historians, it proves that Govindachandra's subordinate Anayachandra constructed a temple at the site believed to be Rama's birthplace; this temple was later destroyed and replaced with the Babri mosque by Muslim conquerors. Other historians allege that the Hindu activists planted the so-called Vishnu-Hari inscription at the Babri mosque site, and that the Govindachandra mentioned in it is a different person.