The Rashtrakutas and their Times c18.s2.t2.12

c18.s2.t2.12

It would be clear from this valuable record that the property of sonless persons did not escheat to the crown but devolved on the kinsmen in an order which is very similar to that laid down by Yājñavalkya.(119) Somadeva, a contemporary writer from Karnatak, also states that the king may take a share of the property of the widow only when in difficulty.(120) This would show that normally the property was allowed to devolve upon the widow and other near heirs. It is interesting to note that the epigraphical evidence from the Deccan confirms the tradition that the widow was recognised in that province as her husband’s heir since early times. This tradition is mentioned as early as in the Nirukta;(121) Yājñavalkya also, who recognises the widow as an heir and permits the king to inherit the property of the dead under no circumstances whatsoever, was most probably a southerner like his commentator Vijñāneśvara.