Kavyanushasana Part 2

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

Page 90

Introduction
LXIX copper – plates have been found, the earliest being dated in the year 342 ( =661 A. D.) and the latest in the year 365 = 684 A. D.). The plates dated 343, 356 give grants to viháras built by Vimalagupta and Sthiramati situated within the precincts of Duddá vihāra, and the one, having no date, gives a grant to Duddā. vihāra. The donee of the plate of the year 352 (=671 A. D.) is a Brāhmaṇa named Gopadatta a son of adhvaryu Kikkaka hailing from Anandapura and residing at the time in Valabhi.
Of Silāditya IV there are about five copper - plates; the earliest being dated 375 (= 694 A. D.) the latest 387 (= 706 A. D.); of Şilāditya V two, both dated in the year 403 (= 722 A. D.); of Şilāditya VI one, dated 441 (= 760 A. D.); and of Şilāditya VII one, dated 447 (= 766 A. D.). All the Silādityas from II to VII bear almost the same titles. If these titles are to be regarded as indicative of some real state of affairs, we can say that after the emperor. Dharasena IV the dominions of the monarchs of Valabhi must have been very extensive including the whole of modern Gujrat plus at least western Mālva.
So many as six kings coming in succession bearing one name of Șilāditya explains why in later tradition Valabhi was associated with the name of Şiladitya. This, however, is a stumbling block to the student of history; for very often when this name occurs in literature, it is not possible to understand which of the seven Silādityas is intended. Thus we find in the Satrunjayamahātmya that one Şilāditya was a Jain whose teacher was Dhanesvara. We cannot say which of the seven is intended.