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The Indian Analyst
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South Indian Inscriptions |
EPIGRAPHIA INDICA ma’s imperial status was challenged by Vīra-Ballāḷa and it appears that his son, Jaitugi, who led the army, was completely defeated at Lakkuṇḍi near Gadag. Bhillama also lost his life in this battle.[1] Verses 12-13 state how he was followed on the throne by Jaitugi (or Jaitrapāla, 1191-1210 A.D.) who killed the king of Trikaliṅga (i.e. Kākatïya Rudra) and, instead of annexing that territory, liberated from prison Gaṇapati who was the nephew of Rudradēva and nominated him king[2]. According to verses 14-20, his son was Siṅghaṇadēva (i.e. Siṁhana or Siṁha II, 1210-47 A.D.) who defeated king Hammīra.[3] He was a redoubtable warrior, a royal sage, a benevolent and just administrator and a patron poets and learned men. According to the Kīrtikaumuḍī of Sōmēśvara, Siṁhaṇa II invaded Gujarāt at least twice ; but he lost his commander Rāma, son of Khōlēśvara, and made peace with the Vāghēlā kings representing a branch of the Chaulukyas of Aṇahillapattana. Verse 21 introduces his son Jaitugi (i.e. Jaitugi II) ‘whose feet were kissed by the crest-jewels of all the kings in the three worlds and who was irresistible like the sun rising with all its lustre’. According to verse 22, Jaitugi’s son was Śrīrāyanārāyaṇa Kṛishṇadēva (also called Kanhara, 1247-60 A.D.) who made a river of the blood of the Gūrjara heroes flow. Verses 23-30 speak of his younger brother and successor, Mahādēva (1261-71 A.D.), who enjoyed the birudas : Rāyanārāyaṇa[4], Rāyabhujabalabhīma,[5] Rāyapitāmaha,[6] Rāyajagaddala, etc. He launched such an onslaught on Vīsala (i.e. Viśala or Viśāladēva, the Vāghēlā king of Gujarāt) that the latter lost all his wealth and fame of valour (as also his life ?) on the battle-field. This Vīsaladēva (1235-60 A.D.) was the son of Vīradhavala and grandson of Lavaṇaprasāda. He had formerly offered strong resistance to Siṅghaṇa II and was defeated by Kṛishṇa. Mahādēva seems to have helped his brother in the struggle and was held responsible for the defeat (and death ?) of Vīsala. The reference is made here in connection with Mahādēva’s assumption of purple robes. It appears that when the elder brother was the king, the younger acted as his general.[7] We are told that Mahādēva led a successful encounter on the sea against the Śilāhāras of the Konkan in 1260 A.D. Such victories in 1260 A.D. attributed to Mahādēva have led some historians[8] to believe that he became king some time before 1260 A.D. The present grant, however, proves that he ascended the throne in 1261 A.D. and that Kṛishṇa must have breathed his last some time the same year.
The prose portion after verse 30 mentions the date of the grant which is the expired Śaka year 1182,[9] Durmati (current), Monday, the second day of the bright half of Bhādrapada. This corresponds to the 29th August 1261 A.D. The grant clearly states that it was made on the occasion of Mahādēva’s coronation and with the belief that it would lead to the prosperity and expansion of his kingdom. We come to know this date for the first time from this grant. _________________________________________________
[1] Imperial Gazetteer of India, Indian Empire, Vol. II, p. 339.
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