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Introduction
proportioned and dignified pose, and the long wig-like curls, like the bag wig on the figure of Chand on the south-west or marriage compartment of the great Elephanta Cave, make it probable that this statue is the oldest relic of Shrimal, belonging like the Elephanta wigged figures to the sixth or early seventh century the probable date of the founding or refounding of the city by the Gurjjaras." (B. G. P. 458).
'According to the dates preserved by the local tradition, the first temple of Jagat Svami, or the Sun was built in in 222 S. V. (=166 A. D.?) The city was destroyed in S. V. 265 (=209 A. D.). In S. V. 494 (=438 A.D.) the city was sacked second time by a Rakshasa. In S. V. 700 (=643 A. D.) the city was re-built. In S.V. 900 (=844 A. D.) it was destroyed for the third time. In S. V. 955 (-896 A. D.) the city was again restored and it was followed by a period of prosperity till the beginning of the 14th century.' (B. G. P. 463.)
XCV
The first authentic source of information about Bhinnamala is an inscription of Varmalāta who according to the Prabhavakacharita was a king of Bhinnamāla. This inscription is dated V. S. 682 (=626 A. D.). This is probably the same Varmalata who is referred to by Magha in the Prasasti of his Mahākāvya Siṣupālavadha. If the identity is accepted we can place Magha who according to the tradition was a poet of Srīmāla 50 years after this or considering the reference to Nyasa about 700 A.D. (See Keith Samskṛta Literature); for Suprabhadeva, the grand-father of Mägha was the prime minister of Varmalata; the name of the poet's father being Dattaka who was addressed as Sarvasraya by the people for his friendliness towards all. It may be that Magha
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