The Rashtrakutas and their Times c9.s1.18

c9.s1.18

12. The above account of the reign of Govinda is based on the assumption that his Dhulia plates are genuine. It must be admitted that this record, though issued in 779 A.D., appears to be some decades later than the Pimperi plates of 779 A.D. But it has been shown already [ante pp. 33-4] that the palæographical test cannot be regarded as the most decisive one, when the difference is only of a few decades. The important factor in connection with the genuineness of the Dhulia plates is the genuineness of their date. The plates were issued on the 10th day of the bright half of Pausha of S'aka 701. Prof. Kielhorn, after making the necessary calculations, wrote: ‘The date of this inscription for S'aka Samvat 701 expired regularly corresponds to the 22nd of December 779 A D. On this day Makara or Uttarāyaṇa Sankrānti took place at 4 h. 30 m., and the 10th *tithi* of the bright half of Pausha commenced 6 h. 44 m. after the mean sunrise.’ (E. I., VIII, p. 183, n. 2.). Astronomical calculations thus show that the Dhulia plates are genuine, or at least based on a genuine original document. The Pimpèri record is also genuine, but we cannot suppose that Govinda was expelled as early as Nothing is known about the scene of this war of succession, but since most of the allies of Govinda hailed from the south, it is not improbable that the decisive battles may have been fought in that direction. It is not known as to what fate overtook Govinda after his defeat; nothing is further heard of him. He may have died in battle or may have been imprisoned or killed by his brother Dhruva. It is not known whether Dhruva treated his elder brother with the same consideration with which Govinda III treated his own elder brother, Stambha, when the latter had risen in rebellion.