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MAITRAKA-GURJARA PERIOD
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From I-Tsing who visited India just before the Rāstrakūta period, we learn that towards the end of the 7th century A.D., the scholars of the Valabhi University used to proceed to the royal courts after their education was over, in order to show their abilities and talents with a view to be appointed to practical government. These scholars used to recive grants of land or government service. Distinguished scholars used to be appointed by the Valabhi administration to responsible posts. (EI, IV, p. 181 ).-(Elliot, I, p. 176; Altekar, The Răstrakūļas, p. 325 ).
From the victorious camp at Balāditya-tațāka, Brābmaņa Bhūtakumāra of Bhāradvāja gotra, who had migrated from Gomutrika and settled at Valabhi, the headquarters of Loņāpadraka Sthali in Surāșțra, received the grant of the village Loņāpadraka, from P.M.P. Silādityadeva IV. The Dütaka of the royal edict was prince Kharagraha. The grant was composed by Divirapati Haragana, son of Bappa Bhogika, who officiated as Balādhikrita ( Minister in charge of the Army). The grant is dated the (Valabhi) year 372, Śrāvana ba. 9 ( 691 A.D.). The year was read 342 and the grant was ascribed to Silāditya III. But the grant belongs to Sīlāditya IV and the correct date is 372.-(H. G. Shastri, IA., V, 207 ).
The Cālukya Crown-prince Sryāśraya Silāditya, son of Dharāśraya Jayasimhavarman, issued a grant of land from Osumbhalā Kārmaņeya Āhāra, in Śrāvaņa of the (Cedi) year 443. Srāvana su. 15 (693 A.D.)-(Surat Plates, VOC, Aryan Section, 225).
From the victorious camp at Purộikā, P.M.P. Silāditya IV issued a grant of land in the village Marañjijja in Antaratrā in Surāșțra to Brāhmaṇa Devila of Śāņdila gotra, an emigrant from Daśapura and resident of Vansakața. The Důtaka of the edict was prince Kharagraha. The grant was composed by Divirapati Haragana, son of Bappabhogika, minister in charge of the Army. It was issued in the (Valabhi) year 375, Jyeștha ba. 5 (694 A.D.).(Devali Plates; BPSI 54).
A set of two copper-plates inscribed on the inner sides and joined with a ring and the Valabhi Seal of Bhatakka and Nandi on it, of the time of Silāditya IV, has been accidentally discovered while tilling a field in Kunkávāv in Central Saurāșțra in 1957, and is made known through the courtesy of Mr. Tekchandani, the Gir Forest Officer.
The donee is a learned Brāhmaṇa Sankara coming from Anandapura, and the grant is of the field comprised in the village Ikollā in the Kālāpaka pathaka. The dataka was prince Kharagraha and the divirapati was Sankaragaña, the son of Haragaņa. The grant is dated Valabhi year 376 (V. S. 751 Paușa Suda 1; 694 A.D.). The donor is Šilāditya IV..
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