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 289

THE DYNASTIES OF RAJASTHANA
259
Säntū was the son of Varnāg and Sompuri and native of Baroda. He was the first governor of Lāța under Karņa. Later he was appointed as the chief minister.2 He was patron of the poet Bilhaņa. According to him Sāntū was always engrossed in state affairs. He had no time even to talk to his children or his young wives. He was a master of statecraft. In the early part of Jayasimha's reign he was the prime-minister. Jayasimha received his training under his able guidance. He wielded supreme power till 1123 A.D." Then in wrath he resigned the post. He left Pätan and went to Dhärā. Jayasimha expressed his repentance and requested Sāntū to return. On his way back he died at Āhada, near Udaipur.5
From the colophon of the Drsţi-samuccaya we know that Muñjāla was a Mahamatya of Karna in V.E. 1146 (1090 A.D.)6 and according to the Prabandhacintamani, he was in the confidence of Karņa and Minaladevī.? From the same work it also appears that he also accompanied Jayasimha in the last war of Dhārā and managed to capture Dhārā. At his suggestion a wooden sword instead of a real sword was given to Yasovarman. He was primeminister then. If the statement of the Prabandha-cintamani is true Muñjāla must have lived a long life at least till 1135 A.D. His post of prime-ministership seems to be doubtful for we know that in the reign of Karna, Sāntű was the prime-minister and the other Mahämätyas after Santü were found discharging the duties of the office in the reign of Jayasirnha. It seems Mahāmatya might have been a mere title.
Another colophon of the Jain MS informs us that in V.E. 1179 (1123 A.D.) Āśuka occupied the position of the chief minister. Jayasimha at his suggestion took the pilgrimage to Satruñjaya.10 The Prabhavakacarita and Mudrita-kumudacandra state that Asuka was present at the debate between Digambar Kumudacandra and Devasūri.11
A colophon of V.E. 1191 (1135 A.D.) informs us that Mahattama
1 See supra p. 246. 2 PC., p. 57: 3771 ARATAT HETARI: 1 3 Prologue of the Karnasundari. 4 SJGM., XVIII, p. 65. 5 Ibid., II, pp. 31–32. 6 Ibid., XVIII, p. 99. ? Ibid., I, pp. 54-55. 8 Ibid., I, pp. 58-59. , SJGM., XVIII, p. IOI. 10 Jain Sahityano Itinās, p. 247. 11 SJGM., XIII, Devasūri, p. 181, V. 270; MK., Act 3.