Indian Epigraphy c6.s4.18

c6.s4.18

Chronological representation of the events of a particular reign is also noticed in inscriptions. Thus the Hathigumpha inscription of the thirteenth regnal year of Khāravela first tells us how he was made a Yuvarāja in his sixteenth year and was installed as Mahārāja in his twentyfifth year and then recounts his achievements in each one of the thirteen years of the reign beginning from the first regnal year. The inscriptions of the Imperial Coḷas similarly quote the achievements of the kings in a strict chronological order although the events are not specifically assigned to particular years. It has been noticed, e.g., that a record of the 6th regnal year of Rājendra-coḷa copies the account of his exploits found in a record of the 5th year of his reign and adds to it his activities during the current year, while a record of his 7th year quotes what is given in the previous year's record with the addition of that year's success.²