The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.s2.32

v2.c16.s2.32

I believe, unquestionable. For the next step we have an only guide, and that not the safest. Generally speaking identity of names is no proof of the identity of persons; but when some corroborative evidence is available in support of such identity it may, I think, be to a certain extent relied upon as probable; and in the present instance we have both identity of names and some corroborative evidence to deal with, though the latter is by no means so harmonious as to leave no room for doubt. Among the princes whom Aira overcame by his prowess occurs the name of Nandarājā, and this, it may fairly be presumed, refers either to Sunanda, son and successor of Kāsi, and grandson of Brahmadatta, king of Kaliṅga, who at the death of Śākya received a relic of the saint; or to one of the nine Nandas of Magadha. In the former case, Aira must have lived about fifty years after the death of Budhha, or in the fifth century B.C. This is, however, not probable, as there is no reason why the name of Sunanda should be written Nanda in a prose composition. The name of Magadha in connexion with Nanda in a later part of the record is also against it, and the second branch of the alternative is therefore what I am disposed to adopt.