Indian Epigraphy c6.s5.5

c6.s5.5

A tendency is often noticed in ruling families from the early medieval age to fabricate a respectable genealogy. The process began with the elaboration of the genealogy on the basis of the *gotra* name of a royal family. The Pallavas of Kāñcī claimed to have belonged to the Bhāradvāja-gotra which offered them the opportunity to trace their descent, through a number of mythical and imaginary personages, from the sage Bharadvāja, famous in the epics and the Purāṇas, and through him to the god Brahman, the creator.² Among royal families of the early medieval period, it was a fashion to claim descent from the solar, lunar, Yādava and other dynasties, well-known from ancient Indian literature.³ Many of the rulers claiming such respectable descent belonged really to aboriginal families. Legends were often fabricated to explain the name of a royal family, sometimes with reference to an eponymous hero.⁴