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CHITORGADH INSCRIPTION OF MOKALA OF MEWAD.
409
well preserved, so that, with the exception of about a dozen aksharas, the actual wording of the text may be made out with certainty. The average size of the letters is between 3" and 11". The characters are Någari of the period to which the inscription belongs. The language is Samskrit, and, excepting the introductory words Om Oin namah Sivaya and a date at the end, the whole is in verse. Considering the great length of the inscription, the historical information conveyed by it is very ineagre indeed; and the author has tried to make up for the want of substance by lengthy and exaggerated descriptions of the valour, fame, piety and munificence of the princes of whom he is treating. His language is sometimes obscure, and not free from actual mistakes. The orthography does not differ from that of an ordinary Samskrit manuscript.
The object of the inscription is, to record the erection, at Chitra kuța (the modern Chitorgadh), of a temple of the god Siva (Samiddhesa or Samadhiša) by the prince Mokala of Medapata (or Mewad). After the words "Om, Om, adoration to Siva," the inscription has four verses invoking the blessings of Gajâsya (Gaņeśa), Ekalinga (Siva), the daughter of the mountain (ie. Siva's consort Pârvati) who dwells on the Vindhya, and Achyuta (Visbņu). The poet then in verses 5-6) glorifies the pious and famous family of the prince Gubila. In that family was born the lord of Medapata Arisimha (vv. 7-12). His son was the prince flammira (Hammira-vira, Hammira-deva; vv. 13-23). From him sprang the prince Kshetra (Kshetra-mahipali, Kshetra-kshitisa; vv. 24-33). His son was the prince Lakshasimha (Laks hasimha-nripati, Laksha-kshitića; v. 34-43), who according to verses 38 and 41 freed the holy place Gayà from the distress brought upon it by the ruler of the Sakas i.e. the Muhammadans). And Lakshasimha's son was Mokala (Mokala-kshmápali, Mokalendra; vv. 44-60), whom his father appointed his successor, and of whom in verse 51 it is intimated that he defeated Peroja, the king of the Yavanas (meaning, again, the Muhammadans). Mokala, according to vv. 61-64, had already before built a splendid temple of the lord of Dvaraka' (ie the god Vishņu-Krishna), near which he also had a tank excavated. And it is now recorded by this inscription (vv. 65-73) that on the Mount Chitrakata, situated in the prince's dominion, Mokala also built a temple of the god Siva (Samiddhesa or Samadhisa) and provided for its proper maintenance. Verse 74 gives the date on which this temple was inaugurated ; and the Prasasti closes (in verse 75) with a prayer for the continuance of Mokala's rule. Five additional verses record that the preceding Prasasti was written (i.e. composed) by Ekanátha, a son of Bhatta Vishņu, of the Daśapura clan;' that the temple was constructed by Mana, the son of Vijala ; and that the inscription was written on the stone by Visala, a son of Mana, and engraved by Visa, who also is described as a son of Mana, and is perhaps identical with Visala. And the inscription ends with a date which differs from the date given in verse 74.
+ The text, in verse 72, actually has Samidvaisah, which must be altered to either Samiddhofah or Samadhifah. Sumadhifa occurs, as a name of Siva, in line 53 of this inscription and in other inscriptions at Chitorgadh and Mount Abu , and Samiddhesvara I find in another Chitor. gadh inscription of the Vikrama year 1207. See below, p. 422.
See Indian Antiquary, vol. XVI, p. 346.
• Verse 46 states in a general way that Mokala subdued the Angas, Kamarupas, Vangas, Nishadas, Chinas, and Turushkas; but there can be no doubt that that verse has been
put in solely for the sake of poetical ornamentation.
7 The original has alikhat, which must here mean composed, because the writer's name is given afterwards, and because the name of the composer would hardiy have been omitted.
Dasapurajñati occurs again in the Nagari inscription of Mokala's grandson Rajamalla; Journal Beng. 48. Soc. vol. LVI, part 1, p. 82, v. 25. On the town Dasapura se Fleet's Gupta Inscriptions, p. 79, note 2.
3. G
