Political History of Northern India

Author(s): Gulabchandra Chaudhary
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar

Page 77

THE DYNASTIES OF MADHYADESA
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Candradeva, his grandson Govindacandra, his son Vijayacandra, his son Jayacandra and his son Hariscandra.
Origin: The origin of the Gāhaļavālas is one of the most controversial topics in Indian history and the dynasty is tossed between the aboriginal Bharas on the one side and the Lunar race on the other.' So far as the Jain sources are concerned they regard the Gáhadavālas as belonging to the famous Rāstrakūta family. In the Purātana Prabandha Sangraha JaitraCandra (Jayacandra), the son of Vijayacandra, is mentioned as Rāstrakūțiya.”
Candradeva: As regards the individual kings of the dynasty, the first in the list is Candradeva whose reign is generally assigned to the period between c. 1040 and 1100 A.D. He seems to be the contemporary of the king Bhoja of Dhārā (c. 1010-1056 A.D.). In one place the Prabandha Cintamani states that when Bhoja went out for conquests "the king of Kānyakubja is here bent double.!'We can safely infer from this statement that the contemporary king of the then ruling dynasty may be Candradeva. It is important to note here that Bhoja's name occurs in the Barahi plates of the Gahadavāla dynasty and this would not have much significance if he had not made some incursions in the north and for a time established his supremacy over Kanauj.
His son and successor Madanacandra known from sources other than the Jain is omitted in the texts under consideration.
Govindacandra: Madanacandra's son and successor, Govindacandra, figures more prominently in the Prabandha Kośa. "In the eastern city of Vārāṇasi there was a king by name Govindacandra. He was the enjoyer of scent consisting of the pleasure of youth in the inner apartment peopled by seven hundred and fifty damsels)." Here his romantic side only is emphasised and his military and political achievements known from the other sources are passed over. But it tries to compensate when it narrates the concluding act of Govindacandra's life in the following words:
1 Tripathi, Dr. R. S. : History of Kanauj, 198-99. 2 SGM., II, p. 88: TT »
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प्रसरभयभरव्याकुलो राजलोकः। 4 1A., XIV, p. 105, line 3. 5 SJGM., VI, p. 54: Ezgi arti FETAĦ TET I 4o [3778:]
पुरी यौवनरसपरिमलग्राही।