Epigraphia Indica Vol 17

SR No.: 032571
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: F W Thomas, H Krishna Sastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1923
Total Pages: 426
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 347

816
EPIGRAPBIA INDICA.
[Vol. XVII.
whether he was an Indian king or some ruler in the Far East. The name whether it is read as Dharma or Varma-rētu appears to be new. The other interesting name occurring in the document is that of Balavarm man the ruler of Vyāghratați-mandala, who acted as dataka on behalf of the Magadhan king. As to why be was selected or what special connection he bad with the ruler of such a remote island as Sumatra or Java, and whether he had been there or known personally to that king our inscription makes no mention. Apparently, there was no direct political relationship between the two; for, we know from the Khalimpurl plate of Dharmapaladēva that the Vyāghrataţimandala lay within the bhukti of Pundravardhana, which was under the sway of the Pals king Dharmapāla and, evidently, of Dēvapāladova after him. Pundravardhana is the same as Paundravardhana-Pundra and Paundra being synonymous—which is the modern Rajshahi district of Bengal'. The use of the word adhipati would indicate that in this instance at least the term mandala connotes a larger area than Dishaya, which in the majority of cases seems to include a mandala During the reign of Dévapaladoya, Vyāghratați was governed by a distinct ruler called Balavarmman. The way in which he is praised in this epigraph, as the right arm of the Emperor, would show that he had a high rauk even though he was one of the feudatories of Dévapaladěva. As, however, our plato gives no genealogy or particulars about him his personality is very vague. A few homonymous rulers are known to have flourished about that time but they appear to be quite different personages and even their dates will not agree with that of this plate. It looks curious that though the charter mentions the dataka of the King of Magadha yet it leaves the ambassador or ambassadors of the Japanese King unnamed altogether.
Tbe vagae manner in which the inscription describes the rulers of the Far East or Sumatra-Java and their relative king of the lunar race would show that its anthor did not kuow much of them. He knew of Bilapotradeva and his mother Tard. The latter he coropared to the goddess of that name. It is not improbable that the grant rogistered in the epigraph was made chiefly at her instanco.
Oor plate mentions reveral places calling for remarks. Out of these, I have already noticed three, namely, Suuarumnadripa, Yarabhūms, and Vyaghrataft. Of the remaining ones Kaland. is the most important. The way, in which this record speaks of it, would show that it continued to be as important a centre of Buddhist lore as it was during the time of Hinen Teang'o visit. The spelling of the name given in this document is Nalanda which is the torrect way of writing it. The same spelling is given in a votive inscription on the image of
D. Inch, Vol. IV, PP. 248 ff. J. B. R. 4. S., LXIII (1894), PP. 89 ff.
Smith Early History of India, p. 878. As has already been stated by Cunningham (4 8. R., Vol. XV, PP. 112 M.) Kantara 18 another name of Pundne or Paepdm, ie, garn, and the Mahakintans of the Allahabad bucription of Bamndragupta, the Great, ww probably an older name of this provinoo wbieb, about the middle of the fourth century of the Chrhulan ers, was governed by King Vy gbra. Thus it does not appear to be improbable that the district of Vydgaratan or the tiger's precipiorunlew of course wahre is taken in the sense of castor oil in wbich on the word Vyaghratani would be the slope marked or overgrown with castor planta, named after this tiger king.
1 This would rather show that Do mistako w made in the text of the Khalimpur grant sud tut Kielhorn's statement in the Ep. Ind., Vol. IV, p. 368, footnote 3 that it ww, will be obviated.
"Por instance we know of Balavarman, the lord of Prigiyotinha (Gauhati or Assam) from the Nowgong copper-plate (Dr. A. 7. Hoornle, J. B. 4. 8. LXVI, pp. 886 11.) and another of Karusha or rather Brihadgriha (Klolborn; Iad. Ant. Vol. IX, pp 188). On palmogmpbis grounds the former of the two has been signed to the last quarter of the 20th century or may nearly one centary later than the date of Dévapilader. The other
too Hetle known to admit of identification. The third raler of the name, who will synchronise with our docu. mant, me the futbol Ayaatharmaa II, who wu the foudatory of Yahandrapila of Kansui (cir, 600 A. D.). To think Identity ug him with the Belawarman of the Naledi plate will be altogether areasonable, for be vw the role of Kathfaww, or Pannlicher and fondatory of the formidable rival of the monarch of Bengal