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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(JUNE, 1885.
THE PALAS OF BENGAL.
BY A. F. RUDOLF HOERNLE, PH.D. In computing the chronology of the Pala (near the beginning of the 12th line) Lokapala, dynasty, too much reliance is still placed apparently qualifying Rajyapåla. Next comes on the Amgachhi inscription. But its mutilated (1st word of the 13th line) an altogether illegible state renders it practically useless, unless where name (not Påla Deva), who is described as the it is supported by other documentary evidence. son (prasúta) of a lucky queen (bhágya-devyáh) Moreover, the description given by Mr. Cole- of (as it would seem) Rajyapala.. Then brooke of its genealogy, which has hitherto follows again Vigrahapala Deva (last word of been always relied on, is very inaccurate. He the 14th line), then Mahipala (middle of the states :'_"The first mentioned is Lokapala, 16th line), then Nayapāla Narapati (middle of And after him Dharmapala. The next dame the 17th line), then again Vigrahapala Deva has not been deciphered: but the following one Nripati (end of the 18th line). So far extends is Jayapala, succeeded by Devapala. Two or Mr. Colebrooke's reading; and up to this place, three subsequent names are yet undeciphered : that is, from the 11th to the 20th line, the one seems to be Nârâyaņa, perhaps Narayana- text of the Amgachhi grant is new. From the påla : they are followed by RAjapala, Pala 21st line up to the end, the Âmgâchki grant Deva, and Vigrahapala Deva, and subsequently again almost verbally agrees with the BhagalMahipala Deva, Nayapala, and again Vigraha- pur grant, excepting only the names of the påla Deva."
donor, the donation (lines 24-26), and the The Âmgachhi plate is in the Bengal Asiatic donee (lines 36-40). The name of the donor Society's collection, where I have subjected it is Vigrahapala Deva (middle of the 24th line), to a careful re-examination, with the following the successor (pádánudhydta) of Nayapâ la result. The first name is not Lokapala (which Deva (end of the 23rd line). He is again is mis-read for Lokanatha), but Gopala Deva named, at the end of the grant, as Vigraha(first word of the 5th line); then comes Dharma- påla Kshitipati-tilaka (middle of the 48th påla Nțipa (middle of the 6th line). The next line). There is nothing to bear out Mr. undeciphered name is Våkpåla (near the Colebrooke's remark, that " in the making of beginning of the 7th line), called the anuja or the grant, Nayapala likewise appears to have
younger brother' of Dharmapala. The follow- had some share." ing name is Jayapåla, succeeded by Devapala, Imperfectly as this grant can be read, it his púrvaja or elder brother' (both in the affords no ground for extending the Pala middle of the 8th line). The two subsequent genealogy beyond Vigrahapala (so-called the nndeciphered names are Vigrahapala (Ist word first'). The grant to a very large extent of the 9th line), and Narayana Prabhu (middle verbally agrees with the Bhagalpur grant of of the 10th line); there is no third undeciphered Nåråyanapala ; its letters seem to be, if anything, pame. So far (that is, up to the 11th line) the of a rather older type; and there can be little record is nearly a duplicate of the Bhagalpur doubt but that it is a grant of Narayana's grant, with the exception of three laudatory father, Vigrahapala. The opening lines of it verses which are omitted in the Amgachhî are identical with those of the Bhagalpur grant. Then follows the name Rajyapâla (last grant, down to Vigrahapala; but, while the word of the 11th line),—not Rajapala, as Mr. latter grant goes on to describe Narayanapa la Colebroke read it; and immediately afterwards as being on the throne and making a gift of
Reprinted, with revision, from the Centenary Review of the Researches of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1784 to 1883, Part II. Appendix II.
Asiatic Researches, Vol. IX. p. 435. Jour. Beng. As. Soc. Vol. XLVII. pp. 984, 404
The twelfth line closes with sriman), which is the usual commencement of a name. Now the verse, of which briman are the two initial syllables, is a Sragdhark' of 21 syllables, divided into three parts of ? syllables each. The quantities of the first part, of 7 |
syllables, are
of which the first two lengths are taken up by briman. Into the remaining quantities --
the name must be fitted ; but Tigrahapalo will not do. Colebrooke read paladevo, which supposing it to be completed into Valopaladevo or the like, would do. But there are no traces of deva visible; if anything, the traces indicate palo to have been the last two syllables of the title, so that the quantities--- would remain for the real name.
