Indian Antiquary Vol 56

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 62

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[MAROE, 1927
1179) and was found at Lohati in the same district. From these, we may infer that the death of Sömêsvara and accession of his son Prithviraja took place between Samvats 1234 and 1236 (A.D. 1177 and 1179). We also know that Bhimdēva II. of Gujarat ascended the throne in 8. 1235 or 1179 A.D.16 That is to say that the death of Somêśvara had occurred before Bhimdeva came to the throne. Hence, we cannot believe that Bhimdêva fought a battle with Sômêsvara. So, also a battle between Prithviraja and Bhimdeva was not possible, as the former had no such cause for it as is described in the story. Next, we see that Dhårâvarsha ruled from Samvat 1220 to 1276 (A.D. 1163 to 1219). Consequently it was impossible for any other ruler to rule at Abû during the period of his reign. Thus, it naturally follows that the story about Jaitsi Pamár's rule at Abd and the marriage of Prithviraja (A.D. 1179-92) with his daughter Ichhani is fictitious. The names Jaitshi, Salakh, and Ichhani seem to be purely imaginary.
Hence, judging from the accounts of the story as well as from the period of Dhårdvarsha's rule, we cannot but conclude that the whole of the story is a myth.
This story is in all probability based on Prithviraja-Rasd, which is composed of many such fabrications of the bards at a period much later than that of Prithviraja III, the hero of the book. They will be dealt with in my next paper.
Three Inscriptions of Dhårdvarsha. These inscriptions are now preserved in the Rajputana Museum, Ajmer, and are important only for their dates, which have a bearing on the subject of this article. The surface of the inscriptions is broken at many places and, consequently, many letters are indistinct. The characters are N&gari of the thirteenth century A.D. Their text is a mixture of Sanskrit and vernacular, and is full of mistakes.
Inscription No. 1 contains fourteen lines of writing, of which lines 7 and 14 are indistinct. Lines 1-6 record that on Saturday, the 15th day of the bright half of Jyêshtha, 8. 1220 (A.D., 1163), Maharajadhiraja Mahamandalesvara, the illustrious Dhåråvarshadê va, granted a ád sana probably for the remission of taxes on Fulahali (a village) belonging to Bhattaraka Dêvêsvara of the temple of Kasêsvara by the prince PAlhanadêva. Lines 6-7 show that something was granted by BAI (B&lnőt) Kelhana, but nothing can be made out of it. Lines 8-9 contain the names of witnesses Vijayara (Vijayaraja), son of Vahada and Deda, son of Dejaa. Then follows the usual imprecatory verse. Lines 13-14 say that a field was granted by Amatya Sivasimha, an inhabitant of the village of Vasana.
Inscription No. 2 contains only four lines, and is dated Monday, the 4th day of the bright half of Asôj (Asvina) Samvat 1271 (A.D. 1214). It records the grant of one halavdha of land (the area that can be tilled with one plough in a day) at the village Sâvada Vpiddha (now known as Badi Anval) by Dhåråvarsha to a merchant named Ampa.
Inscription No. 3 is broken into two pieces, and is dated Mâgha Sudi Panam Samvat 1274 (A.D. 1218). It was found in a temple of Siva. The purpose of the inscription is not clear, but it appears from its text that it probably records the vow of certain persons to observe festivity for two days on the day of Mahârâtri (Sivaratri), during the prosperous reign of Dhårâvarsha, son of Yasodhavaladêva, born in the family of Dhômarája (Dhamaraja). The names of the persons are Raņå Vaijā, son of Vijaisi, and Lakhamsi, Kamana, Sovâ etc., sons of Rathauda (Rathor) Ana, belonging to the family of Hathundi Rajputs (11. 1-12). Then it contains the name of the Acharya Bolha, who seems to be the bhattarala of the temple. Lines 14-17 contain the imprecatory verse, while the lines that follow next seem to have been added later by some persons.
16 Notes to Tod's Rajasthan in Hindi, by R. B. Pt. Gaurishankar H. Ojha, p. 436; Ind. Ant., vol. VI, p. 213.