Epigraphia Indica Vol 28

SR No.: 032582
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1949
Total Pages: 526
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 31 MB

Page 61

EPIGRAPHIA INDICA
[Vol. XXVIII,
undigputed. Bijjala II had other sons and daughters regarding whose existence our record is silent. The picture of the disturbed state of affairs that prevailed in the Kalachuri kingdom after the death of Bijjala II is available from other records and it would be worth while to take a glimpse of it here.
According to some inscriptions. Bijjala II was succeeded by his younger brother Maiļugi, who was followed by the former's grandson, whose name is given as Kandāra. in one epigraph and Kalidēva in another. But actually his name appears to be Karnadēva. After Karnadēva came his junior uncle Sõvidēva. The Bhögēsvara temple inscription from Harasur throws revealing light at this point. While narrating the circumstances of the accession of Sõvidēva, it states that the Kalachuri sovereignty was reduced to a chaotic condition by the evil counsellors such as Kasapaya and others: Karna usurped the throne and ruled illegally; but he was eventually killed and the kingdom duly restored into the hands of Sõvidēva.
Piecing together the information furnished by these different sources, the facts appear to be as follows: At the time of his abdicationBijjala nominated Sõvidēva, his eldest survirving son, as his successor. If this be accepted, it should have created resentment and opposition in a section of the royal household and the official ranks of the kingdom. Soon after the death of Bijjala, which itself was brought about by an assassin, 10 rival parties headed by claimants to the throne contended for power. Bijjala's younger brother Maiļugi was the first to raise the standard of revolt. But he was removed from the scene. Next came Bijjala's grandson Karnadēva, who
Besides Sankama, Ahavamalla and Singhapa, Bijjala had yet another son named Mallugi, Mailugi or Mallikärjuna. He sooms to have been junior to Sovidēva and senior to Sankama. He usurped the Kalachuri kingdom and set up his rulo for a very brief period at the end of Sovidēva's reign. (Ep. Carn., Vol. VII, Sk. 197; Vol. XI, Dg. 44 : B. K. Nos. 63 and 98 of 1936-37; No. 81 of 1937-38 ; etc.)
He had at least two daughters: one Siriyadēvi by Eobaladevi was married to tho Sinda chiof Chårunda II (Bom. Gaz., Vol. I, pt. II, p. 477); another was the wife of Barmarasa of Bandaņike. (Ep. Carn., Vol. VII, Sk. 212.)
. Ep. Carn., Vol. VII, Hl. 50 and Sk. 197 and Vol. XI, Dg. 44.
Kandāra or Kandara can be derived from Krishna or Karna. In the present case it has to be derived from and equated with Karna.
. Kalidēva appears to be have been his title.
• It is beyond doubt that it was Karnadēva. (Vide the citation from the inscription in the Bhögkvara temple below.) Siddharamacharitra of Raghaváñka mentions one Karnadēva (IX-2) and the reference is obviously to the same person. But his relationship with Bijjala is wrongly stated therein to be that of brother (tamma) instead of grandson (mamma).
In view of its great importance I quote below the original passage of the inscription from my private colloc tion:
Kalachuri-ntipa-kula-rajya balavad-durma intri-Kasapayadigaliridan galakulam-agire nija-dor-baladimid-alnvadisi Madhavan pesar-vadedan 11 Ad=ent=ene | Akramisi räjya LakshmiyaNenkramadind-alda Karnnanam londu dhara. chakraman-alavadis-iffan=a.
mukramadith Soma-nripana bhuja-mandaladol I (lines 35-38) • K apayya Nayaka was a minister and wielded much influence in the state during the time of Rijnla ( (Bom. Haz., Vol. I, pt. II, pp. 460 and 472: Ep. Carn., Vol. VII, Sk. 102; Vol. XI, Dg. 35 and 42).
Bid., Vol. VII, Sk. 92 ; Bom. Daz., Vol. I, pt. II, p. 477. 1. Ibid., p. 479.