The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c8.s12.90

c8.s12.90

Aihole inscription, he has the simpler epithet of *śrivallabha*, "favourite of fortune;" while, in the formal charters, commencing with the Haidârâbâd grant of Pulikêśin II., the epithet that is attached to his name is the still plainer one of *vallabha*, and in the Nerûr grant of Mangalêśa, he is referred to simply by that epithet, used there in the place of a proper name,—*Vallabha*.¹ From the Mahâkûṭa pillar inscription, we learn that his wife was Durlabhadêvî, of the Batpûra family.² And the same record describes him as descended from the god Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahman), and as performing the *agnishṭômu*, *agnichayana*, *vâjapêya*, *bahusuvarna*, *pauṇḍarîka*, and *aśvamêdha* sacrifices. With the exception of the *agnichayana*, the same attribution of sacrifices is made in the Nerûr grant of Mangalêśa, which further describes him as conversant with the code of laws of Manu, the *Purâṇas*, and the *Râmâyaṇa* and *Bhârata* (*Mahâbhârata*) and (other) *Itihâsas*. But, in the Aihole inscription and in the subsequent formal charters, the *aśvamêdha*-sacrifice is the only one that is linked with his name. The only historical fact that we have in connection with him, is recorded in the Aihole inscription; and it is that he made himself master of the town of Vâtâpi, which is the modern Bâdâmi, the chief town of the tâluka of that name in the Bijâpur District.³ His power was doubtless confined to the surrounding territory, which, with the town that he made his capital, he probably wrested from the Kadambas of Banawâsi. But, that he possessed sovereign powers, is indicated by the title of *Mahârâja* being attached to his name in all the formal charters, from the time of Pulikêśin II. onwards. He was, therefore, the first king in the dynasty. And the manner in which the genealogy given in the formal charters commences usually with him, shews that he was looked upon as the real founder of the family.⁵ We have, as yet, no genuine records of his time.⁶