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THE DYNASTIES OF RAJASTHANA
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more than five state him as the promotor or the Jain law, Parama-Sravaka (good Jain devotee) or Paramarhata. These colophons are certainly contemporary records ranging mostly from V.E. 1208 to 1228.
Kumārapāla, unfortunately, had no direct male heir to succeed him. According to the Kumarapala-carita of Jayasimha he, before his death, discussed with Hemacandra the question and seems to have selected Pratapamalla, the son of his daughter. The Prabandha-kośa tells us that the question was discussed among the trio-Hemacandra, Ābhada and Kumārapāla himself, and Hemacandra advised him to give his throne to his daughter's son, Pratapamalla, but Ābhada objected. This discussion was overheard by Bālacandra, a pupil of Hemacandra. Since there was a feud between the pupils also regarding the royal succession, Balacandra, a rebel and a friend of Ajayapāla, disclosed everything to him. This made Ajayapāla stir revolt and poison Kumārapāla, thirty-two days after the death of Hemacandra. 2 The Kumarapala-prabandha of Jinamandanagani also records a similar tale.3 Ajayapāla's wickedly poisoning his sovereign is recorded in the Āin-i Akbarit also.
The reign of Jayasimha and his successor Kumarapala may be regarded as the golden period of Gujarāta. Both of them brought within the power of Anahilavāda the whole of Mālava and parts of Rājasthana including the kingdom of Sākambharī in Mārwar and Mewar, while they continued their sway over Saurāşțra, Lāța and Cutch. During their time the influence of Gujarāta was felt most, both politically and culturally, and it continued to be felt during the reign of Ajayapāla.
Aiayapala (1173-1176): Most of the Prabandhas and inscriptions are silent regarding the relationship between Kumārapāla and Ajayapāla, but the Vicaraśreņi5 tells us that Ajayapāla was the son of Mahīpāla, a brother of Kumārapāla. This statement is supported by the Kumarapala-carita of Jayasimhasūri which calls Ajayapāla the nephew of Kumārapāla. The Ain-i-Akbari also states that Ajayapāla was the nephew of Kumarapala.?
1 KC., Canto X, Vs. 107-114.
SJGM., VI, p. 98. 3 Kumāra pāla-prabandha, p. 113. 4 AAK., II, p. 263.
5 JSS., III, Pt. IV, p. 9: da: TRIAE fait 39a .... Thagara 3752915 देवस्य सं० १२३२ वर्षे फा. सु० १२ निरुद्धं राज्यं व. ३ मा. २
* KC., Canto X, V. III: +27 %! FRUIFH Hai 7 AAK., II, p. 260.
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