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The Indian Analyst
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South Indian Inscriptions |
KALACHURI OF SOUTH KOSALA mandala in the Bastar District, Kākayara is modern Kānkēr in the same district. The extension of Kalachuri rule in this part is indicated by the use of the Kalachuri era in latter records from Kānkēr.1 The other places were probably situated in the Raipur District. These conquests seem to have brought a large part of modern Chhattisgarh under the direct rule of Prithvidēva II. After reducing his recalcitrant feudatories and making his home front secure, Prithvīdeva planned to take revenge on his Ganga adversary for having invaded the Kalachuri kingdom during the reign of his father. He first marched against Chakrakūta (which comprised the central part of the Bastar District) and devastated it. This is said to have so terrified the Ganga ruler of the adjoining country, probably Anantavarman-Chodaganga, that he realised that the only way to save his life was to cross the ocean.2 Soon thereafter, Anantavarman died and was succeeded by his son Jatēśvara alias Madhukāmārnava. Prithvideva then raided the Ganga territory, defeated Jatēśvara and took him captive. If the account in the Kharōd inscription3 could be believed, the Ganga king had to pass some days in the Kalachuri prison before he was released. Ganga records are naturally silent about this defeat of Jatesvara, but the account is corroborated by another contemporary Kalachuri record. The Ratanpur stone inscription dated K. 915 (1163-64 A.C.), now in a sadly mutilated condition, describes the fierce battle in which Brahmadēva, the ruler of the Talahāri mandala and a feudatory of Prithvīdēva II, fought valiantly with Jatēśvara. Verse 17 of the inscription says that Brahmadēva became famous by imprisoning a mighty foe.4 The reference is plainly to the capture of the Ganga king. The engagement seems to have occurred in circa 1150 A.C., soon after the accession of Jatēśvara. After this no Ganga king dared invade the Kalachuri territory.
Like his father and grandfather, Prithvīdēva II also struck gold and copper coins in his name. Some of his tiny silver coins are also known. He gave a liberal patronage to men of learning. As many as seven inscriptions of his reign record his grants of land to Brahmanas.5 A Ratanpur stone inscription of his time states that his rule followed the path of good policy and caused the people joy unattended by contact with troubles.6 Several religious and charitable works were constructed in his reign. The aforementioned Vaiśya feudatory, Vallabharāja, excavated a lake to the east of Ratanpur, which still exists under the name of Khārung. He dug two other tanks, one of which he named after his earlier lord Ratnadēva II, and constructed a temple of Śiva.7 Another feudatory Brahmadeva, who has been mentioned above in another connection, erected several temples and excavated tanks at different places in the kingdom. He also raised a mango-grove and maintained a charitable feeding house at Kumarākōta.8 Prithvīdēva’s military commander Jagapāla repaired the temple of Rāmachandra at Rājim and endowed it with the gift of a village.9 He also founded the city of Jagapālapura. Even private individuals constructed temples. The Kāyastha Dēvagana, for instance, erected a temple of Śiva at Sāmbā as recorded in his Ratanpur inscription. Brahmadēva was Prithvīdēva’s trusted minister. He was previously ruling over the
1See the dates of No. 116 and 117.
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