________________
VASTUPALA
219 Dewan the East India Company-towards the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam.
After the death of their mother, the brothers emerged out of their seclusion in search of employment. They were succesful in their quest and as Vastupala himself puts it accepted the dependence of Bhimna's minister. Later on their services were put at the disposal of Viradhavala and consequently, the brothers took their residence at Dholka. In A.D. 1220 (Vik. Sam. 1276) they were appointed as chief ministers. They proved themselves able administrators and prudent statesmen. "This power and confidence" observes the late Mr. Dalal ill-placed. The contributions of these two brothers, who were valiant warriors and who possessed statesmanship of a very high order, to the expansion of the Kingdom and power of Viradhavala were very great. It was a great fortune of the Vaghelas that they got two such able statesmen to lay the foundation of their Kingdom which, however, came to a very early end, mainly on account of narrow-minded selfish ministers devoid of the love of the motherland." 1
were not
46
"Under Vastupala" says one of his contemporaries "low people ceased to earn money by base means; the wicked turned pale; the righteous prospered. All honestly and securely plied their calling. Vastupala put down piracy and by building platforms stopped the mingling of castes in milk shops. He repaired old buildings, planted trees, sank wells, laid out parks and rebuilt the city. All castes and creeds, he treated alike."
In those days, Cambay was the chief port of Gujarat. It was wrested by Viradhavala from the chiefs of Latadesa and Vastupala was sent as its governor. Under his sympathetic and enlightened rule, the port rapidly regained its lost splendour and the people were happy and prosperous. While Viradhavala was engaged in quelling the insurrection of the Marwar chiefs Sankha, the chief of Baroach, made an attempt to recapture the lost port but his forces were totally routed by Vastupala who personally took part in the combat.
1 Dalal, Vasantavilasa, introd. XV. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
