Indian Epigraphy c15.t11.18

c15.t11.18

It is admitted that the *atīta-rājya* reckoning started as a result of the reluctance of the partisans or co-religionists of king Govindapāla of the Gaya region to change the mode of dating their records even after his overthrow. If the dominions of Lakṣmaṇasena of Bengal included the same area of Bihar, the overthrow of his rule from there could have likewise induced his partisans to follow a similar method of dating. It has to be noticed that the people of the Gaya region of Bihar had a liking for this kind of dating in the *atīta-rājya* reckoning of particular rulers as it was they who started the *atīta-rājya* reckonings of both Govindapāla and Lakṣmaṇasena.⁴ But there is as yet no evidence of Lakṣmaṇasena’s rule over the Gayā area of Bihar, though there are traditions regarding Sena rule in Mithilā or North Bihar and we have now an inscription⁵ pointing to the inclusion of the Bhagalpur region of South Bihar within the dominions of Ballālasena (c. 1158-79 A.D.), father of Lakṣmaṇasena, in the 9th year of his reign, i.e. about 1166 A.D. The discovery of this record shows that Lakṣmaṇasena’s rule over parts of South Bihar including the Gaya region at least for a short time can no longer be regarded as altogether impossible. His claim of victory over the Gāhaḍavālas becomes intelligible in that case.