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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ MAY, 1921
the patronage of learning. Still there were ex inflicted a defeat on Humayun Shah the secon: ceptions to this rule, and Narayan Shah, the Mogul Emperor--events which have hardly any poet's patron, was one of them.
historical foundation at all. Maha.
Maha The poem, which can be classed as
On the contrary, we know from the Mussalman
historians that the Baglan chiefs of that time kávya, has been divided into twenty cantor. In
were petty feudatories under the Mussalinan the first, the poet describes the origin of Rash
sultans of that quarter. Thus, according to them, trandha, the founder of the family. He Arose'
Bhairab Shah, father of Nårêyan Shah, was a we are told, as a beautiful boy of eleven, out of a
feudatory of Baharlur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat, dice which struck the crescent of the moon in the
to whom he gave his sister in marriage. crest of Siva while he was playing with his consort. Narayan Shah was the poet's patron, and from This boy was afterwards adopted by the childless the ninth canto of the book onwards, the events King of Konaui as his son, and after the latter's of his reign are described. His successes over death became the ruler of that city. After him petty chiefs are described in pompous language Caine six princes whose names are not worth and the poet, following the example of the ancients, mentioning. Then came two brothers, Kala. I devotes three whole cantos in rescribing the sports
and luxuries of the king. gena and Gopachandra, the elder of whom, by
We come next to examine the composition propitiating the goddess, became invincible and
And style of the work. Though it contains conquered Ujjain, where he became king. The
some anachronisms and historical inaccuracies, other brother, Gopachandra, who had sacrificed
the poem is a work of considerable merit. It himself to the goddess, regained life through her
contains beautiful descriptions, e.., of the day and merey and was known as Bagula.
the night and of the seasons (Canto XV). The Seventeenth in descent from him was Yabas
descriptions of the battle and the chase arouse van, whose son along with his brother migrated to the reader's interest, while the numerous similes the South. Yasasvana inarried the daughter enhance the beauty
enhance the beauty of the
of the whole composition, of Ramadeva of Devagiri and remained there.
The style is elegant and the language is chaste His son, Gajamalladeva, conquered the Gurjara,
and easy throughout, though in some places it and MAlaves and succeeded in taking the kingdoin abounds in samâsas after the Gaudt style (e.g., in of Allauddin, the lord of the Yadavas. Who Canto IX). Constant alliterations make it more and this Allauddin was we have no means of ascer more melodious, 1 In sorce places the poet seems
aining. His son Malugi defeated twelve kings to imitate Kalidasa, author of the Raghuvams. 2 including Ramadeva, the powerful Yadava ad
erful Yadavn ad-Some of the verses deserve special praise, on versary of Allauddin Khilji of Delhi. This appears
account of their noble sentiment or exqui. to be highly improbable, when we consider some
site poetic beauty3 of the facts mentioned by the poet before and after
The poet, however, excels in religious sentiment.
The verses in honour of Rama, Siva 6 and Ganges this event, and the whole story seems to be a
are beautiful compositions. To sum up, the poet mere invention of the poet-to enhance the
succeeded well in the task he undertook. Un. giory of his past ancestors. Malugi's grandson
fortunate though he is on account of the obecurity Nândeva also performed acts of valour, but
of his hero, his poem does credit to him and has WAS defeated by Allauddin Khilji, who after
preserved the name of his patron from oblivion. conquering Låtå. Kalinga, Vanga, etc., was
Much credit is due to the editor for the learned killed in battle. Ramraja of Devagiri- introduction eppended to this work. The the adversary of his grandfather, according to valuable and critical notes inserted in it show O poet. In addition to a historical inaccuracy. his labour and learning. And though there may for we know it for certain that Ramadeve was be some small inaccuracies in it, it should be not killed by Allauddin a hopeless Anachronism
a great help to scholars. We think however
that something ought to is also noticeable in this statement. After many
have been said on
the composition and style of the work. vicissitudes of 'fortune the dignity of the family
In conclusion, our thanks are due to his was restored by Nânadeva. His great-grandson
Highnses the Maharaja Gaekwad Mahadeva resorted to Mayaragiri where he estab
of Baroda.
who is financing this Oriental Series and has thus lished temples. Mahadeva's son, Bhairab Shah
perserved the noble tradition of the ancient kings is credited with having conquered the Mussalman of India in respect of patronage to learning. rulers of Mandu and Devagiri, and having
NARAYAN CHANDRA BANERJEE. 1. See e.g., Ses. II, p. 49, and IX, 20.
a Compare X. 24 of the poem with Raghu., VI, 22; XII, 62 of the poem with Raghu.. X, 32; and VI. 2 with Raghu., XVII, 52. 3 See V, 21; XII, 22; V, 15. * See XII, 39 to 50.
II, 49-to 52 ; also V, 16-24.
