Th century was not a contemporary of Bhoja, and therefore, the legend is anachronistic.
The salabhanjikas(Mystic powers) tested him and finally accepted Bhoja to sit on the throne.
Archaeology professor Kirit Mankodi dates the temple to the later part of Bhoja's reign, around mid-11th century.
The Jain writer Merutunga, in his Prabandha-Chintamani, states that Bhoja constructed 104 temples in his capital city of Dhara alone.
Following the death of Devapala and the weakening of the Pala empire, Bhoja also extended his empire in the east.
Bhopal is the 11th century city Bhojpal,
founded by Raja Bhoja, but the present city was established by an Afghan soldier,
Dost Mohammed(1707-1740).
The exact origins of the pillar are unknown, but according to the local tradition,
it was a victory column erected by the 11th century Paramara king Bhoja.
He speculates that Bhoja may have started the construction of this shrine
for the peace of soul of his father Sindhuraja or of his uncle Munja, who suffered a humiliating death in enemy territory.