The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c14.103

v1.c14.103

I have already referred to the overthrow of the Ṭhākuris of Patan, which was most probably caused by the invasion of Nānyadeva. It is not impossible that the Karṇāṭa chief extended his power in the Valley by espousing the cause of Śivadeva, a successful pretender of the Nayakot branch of the Ṭhākuris who were ousted by the Patan branch sometime before 1080-8 A. D. At any rate we find from the colophons of MSS. and some inscriptions an unbroken series of princes, from Śivadeva to about 1200 A. D. We have 3 dates for Śivadeva. An India Office MS. of *Sphoṭikāvaidya* gives him the imperial titles *Rājādhirāja Parameśvara*, and contains the date 240 (A. D. 1120) in his reign. A Cambridge MS. noticed by Bendall supplies the date 243 (A. D. 1123) in his reign, while the Vaṁśāvalī of the same scholar tells us that he constructed a tank named *Mahendrasaras* or *Madanasaras*, after the name of the *Yuvarāja* Mahā-Indra-deva, in 239 (1118 A. D.). According to the modern chronicles, Śivadeva was a great warrior, who conquered the whole of Nepal and carried his arms to the four corners of the horizon. With the rich booty thus acquired he is said te have built a new roof to the temple of Paśupati. He is also credited with the foundation of Kīrtipura and the issuing of the *Suki* coins, made of an alloy of copper and iron and marked with the image of a lion, which continued to be struck till the beginning of the 16th century. He is assigned a reign of 27 years and 5 months. Śivadeva was succeeded by Indradeva, probably his son and no doubt identical with the *Yuvarāja* Mahā-Indradeva. An India Office MS. on astrology (*Jātaka*, No. 2928) which was copied in 249 (1128-29 A. D.) in his reign, gives him the exalted title of *Rājādhirāja-Parameśvara*. He is said to have reigned for 12 years. The next ruler appears to have been Mānadeva. A Cambridge MS. of *Aṣṭasāhasrikā* gives the date 259 (A. D. 1139) in his reign.¹ The inscription of Varamtol (near Katmandu), dated in the same year, records the gift of a water-channel (*pannālī*) and a *droṇa* in the victorious reign of *Rājādhirāja-Parameśvara Paramabhaṭṭāraka Śrī-Mānadeva*.² He is variously assigned a reign of 10 years or 4 years 7 months, and is said to have retired into the monastery of Cakra-vihāra, built by the ancient king Mānadeva, after abdicating in favour of his eldest son.³