Epigraphia Indica Vol 30

SR No.: 032584
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1953
Total Pages: 490
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 27 MB

Page 428

APPENDIX]
RAJAPRASASTI INSCRIPTION OF UDAIPUR
105
not clear : pitha 'basement', mēkhalā, tilaka, sangīkārya, stara 'layer', garbha-koshtha, parvakoshcha, chatushki (excavated squares at the bottom of the lake), etc. The minor dams seem to be named after the nearest village, tree or the like, such as Nimba-sētu, Bhadra-sētu, Kāmkarolisētu, Asaţiyāgrāma-sētu, Varsölägrāma-sētu, etc. The monotony of the details is occasionally relieved by a play upon the numbers or drawing similes as in vv. 14, 15, 19, 34, 36, 45, and 56.
Slab XIII; Canto XII
This canto continues the description of the minor constructions in and around the lake, giving their measurements. Verse 5 states that on the border of the village Mõrchanā, there is a hillook in the lake, on the western peak of which is perched a pavilion sacred to Varuna, the god of waters. The villages completely submerged in the lake are stated to be Sivāli, Bhimgavada, Bhāno, Luhāno, and Gudhali, and those partly submerged were Mörchanā, Pasorda, Khēdi, Chhāparakhēdikā, Tasola and Mamdõvara. The rivers or rivulets that drained into the lake are said to be Gomati, Täla and Kailavā. Besides, the tanks, wells, etc., of the villages of Kamkaroli, Lõhāņa and Siväli, numbering thirty, also merged into the lake.
From verse 13 onwards the poet praises the great enterprise of his patron, Rājasimha. The maximum limit prescribed by Visvakarman for artificial lakes is 6,000 yards in length. Whether anybody ever constructed a lake of that length is doubtful, but Rājasimha even exceeded that limit, the lake constructed by him mensuring 7,000 yards in length.
The poet now informs that formerly Rānā Udayasimha had attempted to construct a dam on thut very spot, but his attempt was a failure. Afterwards he constructed a lake which was named after him, viz., Udayasagara.
In the year 1730 there came heavy floods in the river Tala, which caused much destruction in the city. In the same year in the month of Asvina the lake had water eight hastas in depth due to waters coming from the Gömati.
On the fullmoon day of the month of Māgha in that year Rājasimha performed the great gift of Suvarnaprithivi,- that consisted of 500 palas of gold, costing 28,000 rupees.
In the year 1731, on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of Srāvana, the artisans hailing from Lāhūra (Lahore), Gurjara (Gujarat) and Surita (Surat), floated a big boat, called Jahāja, built by them, in the lake.
In that year, on the occasion of his birth-day anniversary, Rājasimha performed the great gift of Visvachakra, consisting of 500 palas of gold.
Slab XIV; Canto XIII
After the completion of the construction of the lake, Rājasimha, in connection with its inauguration ceremony, sent invitations to princes, relatives, friends and others. The poet utilizes the occasion by describing the immense expenditure of wealth by Rājasimha as host to the invitees. We are told how the king sent his messengers with horses, chariots, elephants, palanquins, etc., to fetch his guests, what elaborate arrangements he made for the stay of his guests by way of setting apart big mansions and erecting tents, all fully furnished and decorated, as well as by accumulating all sorts of provisions, toilet requisites and other necessary articles, and how he collected cloths, ornaments, horses, elephants, cows, etc., to be given in charity. Apart from princes, the invitees included learned men, poets, bards and holy men. The city became choke-full of people. They brought many presents to Rājasimha who accepted only as much as seemed proper and returned the rest.
1 For this see Homādri, op. cit., Danakhanda, pp. 301 and 326.