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carried on their business in security. Prostitutes followed the right path.12 Vastapala put an end to piracy, planted groves of trees, sunk wells, made public parks, dug tanks and did many other works of public utility. He treated all his -subjects equally.
The later chroniclers relate that Vastupala had, on coming to office exacted twenty-one (?) lacs as fine from a wicked old officer and with the money so obtained, kept an army He had also compelled the heads of five hundred villages in the vicinity of Dholaka to pay tribute, from which they had claimed exemption for many years !
Vastupala was not only a financier but also -a warrior and statesman He defeated Sankha of Broach in battle15 and formed friendship with Altamasb, king of Delhi, by giving very good treatment to his mother or preceptor.16
According to the Chaturvimsatiprabandha, Tejahpala defeated the king of Godhra and exacted heavy fine from him. His services were
12. This is & poetic Tay of describing good admins. stration. 13 Kirtzhaumudi, IV, 9 to 41; Kathakato's introduction, p. XIV. 14 Rajasekhara, chaturvimsati prabandha, p. 110. 15 Someswara, Kirtilaumudi, V, 7-68. 16 Bülachandra, Vasanta Valvo VI, 109.
