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- MAY, 1909.7 HISTORY AND COINAGE OF THE CHANDEL DYNASTY.
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Notwithstanding the successes gained so easily by Mahmud, the Chandel kingdom was not again attacked by the Muhammadans until a hundred and eighty years had elapsed, and Ganda's successors were left free to manage their own affairs, or fight with their neighbours, as they might feel inclined.
Little is on record concerning the short reigns of Ganda's successors, Vidhyadhara, Vijayapala, and Davavarman, which cover the period from about 1025 to 1060 A. D. The only contemporary document is the deed granting a village in 1056 A. D., which alone reveals the existence of Dévavarman, who is not mentioned in the genealogical inscriptions, because ho died apparently without issue and was succeeded by his brother. We learn from Inscription No. 16 that Vidhyadhara continued the hereditary war with Kananj, at that time under the rule of Trilôchanapala. Vidhyadhara is also alleged to have terrified Bhöjadeva, the famous Paramára king of Malava, who reigned from about 1010 to 1050 A. D., but it is impossible to say whether or not this statement is a mere rhetorical flourish.
Kirtivarman, brother of Dévavarman, who came to the throne about 1060 and reigned for about forty yoars, evidently was one of the most notable mambers of his dynasty. He was contemporary daring part of his career with Karnadeva, or Lakshmikarna, the powerful king of Chedi, with whom he engaged in protracted hostilities. At first Karnadêva had the advantage, and even succeeded in driving his rival from the throne, probably apnexing Jejakabhakti to his own dominions for a time. But in the end Kirtivarman gained a decisive victory. Inscription No. 10 declares emphatically that Kirtivarman 'acquired fame by crushing with his strong arm Lakshmikarņa [= Karnadeva], whose armies had destroyed many princes. This statement is verified by the prologue to Krishnamisra's play entitled Prabodhachandrődaya, The Rise of the Moon of Intellect,' which recites that Kirtivarman bad overcome and crushed the armies of Karna, who was 'as terrible as the fire at the end of the world to the multitude of all princes.' Inasmuch as Kirtivarman did not come to the throne until about 1060 A.D., previous to which date Karnadeva had been reigning for some twenty years, it is obvious that the defeat of the latter must have taken place at some time in the closing decade of Karna's reigu, between 1060 and 1070 A. D.
The only dated record of Kirtivarman's reign is the Dêogash Inscription (No. 9) of 1154 V. E.=1098 A.D., at which time his power was well established, and his reign drawing to its end. The inscription was set up by the king's hereditary minister, Vatsarâja, who had himself wrested the Deogarh district from an unnamed enemy, probably Karna, and built the fort which he named Kirtigiri in honour of his master. Deogarh stands in a strong and picturesque position at the western end of the tableland of the Lalitpar range of hills, overhanging the river Bêtwa, in N. lat, 21° 32', E. long. 78° 18.
The play entitled Prabodhachandródaya, above mentioned, was performed before Kirtivarman at the command of his Brahman general, Gopala, who had defeated Karna immediately before, and replaced Kirtivarman on the throne, which he had lost for a time (E. I., Vol. I, p. 220). The final victory of Kirtivarman and the production of the play must have taken place in or about 1065 A. D., some appreciable time after the accession of Kirtivarman about 1060 A.D., and prior to the death of Karna some ten years later. The drama so performed in honour of a brilliant victory is not of the kind that might be expected on such an occasion. It was composed in honour of the god Vishộu and the Vedanta philosopby, with an elaborate plot in which all the personages are allegorical. The play ends triumphantly with the reunion between King Discernment' and Queen Theology,' who had been long at variance, and their coming together is blessed by Faith in Vishğu' (Vishnubhakti). 2
Tradition ascribes the foundation of the town of Balibri (Bilhari) in the Jabalpur District of the Central Provinces to Raja Karn Då hariya (i. e., Dâhâl or Chedi), by whom Karnadeva must be meant. The subjugation of Karnadeva by Kirtivarman probably involved the cession
12 M. Sylvain Lévi gives a lucid summary and appreciative criticism of the play in Le Théatre Indien (Paris, 1890 ), pp. 229-85. On the authority of Rajasekhar he mentions that another king of KAlañjar named Bhimata was reputed to be the author of five plays, including one named Svapnadasanam (op. cit., pp. 329, 269, App. p. 85). This king Bhimata is not known from any other source of information.
13 - Rep., Vol. IX, p. 34.
