Political History of Northern India

SR No.: 001744
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Gulabchandra Chaudhary
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar
Publication Year: 1954
Total Pages: 482
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, & Culture
File Size: 10 MB

Page 161

THE DYNASTIES OF RAJASTHANA
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with localities of śrīmārgga and Durdda noted in this inscription. According to him Śrimārgga is the variant of Sripatha which has been identified by Fleet with modern Bayānā in the Bharatapur district, and Durdda may be identified with modern Duddai or Dudhai in the Central India. It seems from the identifications of the localities that Ajayadeva must have defeated these heroes in his northward and eastward campaigns. The word 'Vira' (Hero) shows probably that they did not belong to any of the principal ruling families, but may have been feudatories of an inferior rank of some one of them. This record also refers to his other achievements which states that Ajayadeva captured in battle Sulhana, the commander-in-chief of the army, and tied him to a camel in the field of battle.? The Pịthvirājavijaya also confirms this fact by stating that Ajayarāja defeated Sulhana, the king of Mālava.? As we know there was no king ruling in Mālava during this period, scholars assume that he might have been a general of that name of the then Paramāra prince, possibly Naravarman (1094-1133 A.D.) ruling over Mālava.The Pịthvirāja-vijaya and the Prabandha-kośa regard him as the founder of the city of Ajayameru, now known as Ajmer."
Ajayadeva may be regarded as the first powerful king of this lineage who took the initiative in enlarging his kingdom and carving out a path for his descendants for further expansion. He had also issued silver and copper coins which bore the legend of śri Somalādevi, a variant of the name of Ajayadeva's queen Somalladevi mentioned in our inscription.
Arnorāja (c. 1139-1153 A.D.): Arnorāja as the son of Ajayadeva succeeded his father. We have fortunately one colophon of the Jain MS named Avaśyakasūtra-niryukti of his reign, dated V.E. 1198 (1142 A.D.). This may be connected with his early reign. It gives him the titles Samastaräjävali-samalan krta-paramabhattāraka-mahäräjādhiraja-parameśvara, which shows him a powerful king from the very beginning of his reign. He seems to have been a great warrior. The 16th verse of the Bijolia Jain record highly eulogises him and the next verse refers to his victory over certain
1 EL, XXVI, p. 93. * V. 15: SAATESUGUSalac: HTTHRITITŪTI
Hata FIFA: FRH .... Part 1 3 JRAS., 1913, p. 272. 4 EI., XXVI, p. 93. * SIGM., VI. p. 133. 35251: 37 S TART":
SJGM., XVIII, p. 105.