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EPIGRAPHIA INDICA
[VOL. XXVI
Rahula); while in the Neulpur grant only the latter and more developed form is met with. At the same time, it must be noted that has an archaic appearance in the Neulpur grant1. this single exception, all other letters in the grant are more developed than in this inscription. With All these facts tend to show that Subhakara of the present inscription was earlier in date than the author of the Neulpur charter, who is the first king of that name in the Bhauma lineage till now known. This new Subhakara may have existed between Lakshmikara, who is the earliest known member of the dynasty, and Kahemankara, from whom we have an unbroken genealogy for nine generations.
The inscription records the dedication of the image by Rahularuchi, who is styled Mahamandalacharya and Paramaguru, i.e., 'the teacher of the great division' and 'the supreme preceptor. The former does not sound like a self-assumed title, but seems to be a dignity conferred or recognized by a political authority. As the earlier Bhaumas are known to have been Buddhists, it is likely that there was a state pontiff of Buddhism under them. It also appears from this term that the area over which they held sway had the status of a mandala, or, in other words, they began their political career as Mandalapatis, till the later members of the dynasty assumed the full-fledged independent titles of Paramabhattaraka Mahārājādhirāja Paramesvara.
TEXT
Om Sri-Subhakaradeva -rājye mahamandalacharya-paramaguru-Rahularuchi-nām tasya daya"]-dharmmd-yam utkirupath Kudha (1)-sättendhárpa"
No. 34.-PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM PLATES OF GOVINDARAJA: SAKA 732
BY MORESHWAR G. DIKSHIT, B. A., POONA
This set of three copper-plates, with one of the two rings and the seal, is preserved in the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, Bombay. It was purchased from Mr. Sanabhai Bhundarbhai Master, of Vadaj, Baroda State, in 1938. It is reported that one Thakore Vajesing found it while ploughing his field at Bhilodia, near Vadaj. It was through the kind offices of the Curator, Mr. R. G. Gyani, M.A., that I gained access to the original plates. He also supplied me
1 It is too much to say that still retains the old Kushan form' in the Neulpur grant (above, Vol. XV, p. 2). In most cases the right vertical of the letter distinctly projects over the horizontal top line which is certainly a late Gupta or even a post-Gupta development.
It is, however, possible to explain away the difference between the two inscriptions by saying that the Neulpur grant is inscribed in a cursive script and therefore exhibits a more developed form, both the kings being really identical. I set no great store by this argument especially because a paleographical comparison of the present inscription with the Dhauli cave inscription of Santikara (above, Vol. XIX, p. 263), most probably the son of Subhakara of the Neulpur grant, also shows that the latter has decidedly later forms than the former. As it is impossible that the script would appreciably change in the course of a single generation, we have to separate the two inscriptions by a sufficiently long time.
• Hindol plates, J. B. O. R. S., Vol. XVI, p. 69.
The earlier rulers call themselves Parama-saugata in their inscriptions. A change of creed is for the first time noticed in the case of Queen Tribhuvanamahadevi who was a Parama-taishpati (Dhenkanal plater, J. B. O. B. B.. Vol. II, p. 419) and in describing whose death the Talcher plates say: bheje padam sà Harth (Misra, lee. cit., p. 32). After her the rulers are Parama-mahiivaras.
Expressed by a symbol.
The letter bhd looks like bhau in the impression. [Reading appears to be Suha for Subha.-Ed.] 'Bead nama.
Viearga unnecess
