Epigraphia Indica Vol 29

Author(s): Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India

Page 44

No. 3) MASER INSCRIPTION OF A SULKI CHIEF
25 and Läta. In fact some successful attempts were made by the neighbouring powers to encroach upon them. The earliest attempt in this direction was made by the Chandella ruler, Yatövarmas (c. 950 A.C.). The Khajuraho inscription (II)' of his son Dhanga dated V.8. 1011 states that Yalovarman captured the fort of Kälañjara. This fort had been held in his possession by Krishna III from about 935 A.C. Yeśðvarman followed up this success by overrunning the kingdom of Málwi which must have been then under the rule of Paramara siyaka II. The Khajuraho inscription (II) testifies to this event for it states that Yasõvarman was the very death to the Mālavas (v. 23). His son Dbanga seems to have actually oocupied a portion of Malwi early in his reign as he is stated in the sanie Khajuraho inscription (v. 45) to have acquired the territory as far as Bhäsvat on the river of Mälava, i.e., Bhilai on the Vētravati (Betwa) in Gwalior. Besides the Chandēlla ruler, the Chēdi king Lakshmanarāja (c. 945-70 A.C.) setting at neaght the authority of the Rashtrakūtas over Malwa and Läta marched across these territories as far as Somanatha-Pāțan in Saurashtra, Kathiawar. Not long after the date of these happenings the Lāta country seenis to have slipped from Rashţrakūta hold since it is found that Bārappa, the Chalukya chief, evidently taking advantage of the Chedi king's raid across the country, assumed the title of the king of Late some time about 960-1 A.C. All those unoroachments som to have been made at the instigation of the Gürjara-Pratīhåra ruler. For, we heve it explicitly stated in the Kudlür plates of Marasimha II of 963 A.C. that Krishna III set out on an expedition to the nortb to conquer the Advapati.The Asva pati was the Gürjara-Pratihāra king to whom the title of Advapati has to be applied at this period. The distinguishing appellation, 'King of the Gurjaras' by which Mārasimha II is stated to have become known by conquering the northern region for Krishnarāja (III) would support our surmise that the Asvapati against whoun Kpishpa U directed his campaign was the Gürjara-Pratthåra ruler. As we have seen, the Jura inscrip tion affords some evidence for the conduct of this expedition. Under the above circumstances, Késarin's encounter with the Lățesa and the Kachchhaváha might have taken place during this compaign, the Lātēša being perhaps Chalukya Barappa, and the Kachchhavāha being Lakshmanarāja, both of whom were Pratshära feudatories.
The facts stated further on in the last part of the present record are important inasmuch us A number of contemporary rulers are introduced. Thus mention is made of Väkpati and a Tantridhips and of some action relating to Muñja and Chachcha. The Hūņas despatched by Lolikya are stated to have been defeated at Pattapake.
Among the contemporaries (of Keserin ?) figure Väkpati Muñija and Chachche, both Papamira chiefs. Muñja was the well-known Våkpati II Muñja whose known dates range from 974 to 990 A.C. Chachcha was the Paramara prince of Naddula, who is mentioned in vors. 28 of the Panahera inscription of his descendant Jayasimha,' and whose date falls in this period (c. 950-75
.
1 Abovo, Vol. I, p. 128, v. 31. * Above, Vol. XXIV, pp. 102-8. * A. B. O. R. I., Vol. XI, p. 366. • Mya. Arch. Rep., for 1921, paras. 41 f. text lines 123-4. Krishna III is here given the title of Narapati.
See Rapson's article. Lord of horeca, lord of slephants and lord of mou in the Woolner Commemoration Volume, pp. 196-9. The titlo Hayapati is atually borne by Garjars-Pratike king, Divapkla, who ae in fnot the very contemporary of Krishpa III (see above, Vol. I, p. 124 and Vol. XIV. p. 180).
Prof. Altekar believes that the Gorjan king subdued by Krishna III and Maritas II wus Peranka Slyska II himself. Sten Konow held that he might be Chilukyo Molarija (Rashrabüfer sted The Times,
Pp. 120-21).
* Above, Vol. XXI, p. 43.
DGA