Kavyanushasana Part 2

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Rasiklal C Parikh, Ramchandra B Athvale
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 73

Lii
Kavyanus asana
he and his son Senāpati Dharasena I ruled over Gujarāt for about twenty to twenty - two years, that is, 480 - 500 - 502 A. D. Thus we have in all twentyone rulers reigning in the city of Valabhi over a period of about two hundred and eighty seven years. Of these twentyone, the copper - plates issued by fifteen kings have been discovered up till now.
From the titles prefixed to the names of kings, as also from the mention of places and districts we are able to form some idea about the political position of different kings with reference to other rulers, imperial or otherwise of India, as also of their dominions. The titles, however, should not be taken too literally. Senāpati, Mahāsāmanta, or Mahāpratihāra do not necessarily suggest dependence as some of these were repeated as a matter of routine. So also the title of Chakravartin when it occurs for the first time may be taken to indicate All - India power but not a thorough - going subjugation of the whole country. Bearing these considerations in mind let us try to form some idea of the political power of Valabhi kings.
The founder Sri Bhațārka who must have been an able man and whose great valour is described in the plates is only called a Senāpati - probably because he did not assume other titles. So also his eldest son Dharasena. But his second son Dronasimha calls himself ' Parama – Bhatýāraka - pādānudhyāto' as also *Mahārāja'. This means that though he was a great king' he was looked after by the great Bhattāraka, that is, lord. It is not certain who this great lord' was; whether he was an emperor or some great head of a religious sect; for the word Bhattāraka conveys