The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c14.84

v1.c14.84

During the reign of the Cāḷukya emperor Someśvara I (A.D. 1040-69), his son Vikramāditya seems to have led successful expeditions into North-eastern India.⁴ Accompanying his victorious arms a number of military adventurers came from the south, especially from Karṇāṭa and carved out small principalities. The Sena dynasty in Bengal appears to have been founded in this manner. Its founders claim to be the defenders of the *Karṇāṭa-kula-lakṣmī*, and declare themselves to be southerners.⁵ It has been suggested that they were first established on the borders of Bengal by an invasion of the *Cāḷukya emperor Vikramāditya VI*.⁶ Another of these adventurers from Karṇāṭa was probably one of the forefathers of Nānyadeva, whose name being apparently a transcription of the Canarese word *nanniya* (affectionate) reveals his southern origin. He established his authority in Tirhut, and from his capital at Simraon launched on a series of campaigns for the conquest of the neighbouring countries. It is not unlikely, as Lévi has suggested, that before he established his sovereign power, he served some local king as a candottieré, and then overthrew his master. But it is significant that from the time that followed the reign of Vikramāditya VI, Nepal suddenly enters into the composition of the *praśastikāras* of the kings of Deccan. Thus the Pattadakal stone inscriptions dated in 1162 A.D. enumerates Nepal amongst the vassals of the Cālukya emperor Someśvara III Bhūlokamalla, the son of Vikramāditya VI.¹ The Kalacuri Bijjala, who overthrew Tailapa III, the son of Someśvara III, is praised in an epigraph dated in *c.* 1200 A.D. for having destroyed the stability of *Nepāla*.² In another inscription of about the same time discovered at Managoli, the Yādava Jaitugi (*c.* 1191-1210 A.D.) claims to have defeated the leaders of the armies of *Nepāla*.³ Under the circumstances it is not unlikely, as I have suggested, that the establishment of the forefathers of Nānyadeva in Tirhut, on the borders of Nepal may have been due to a successful raid of the great Cālukya prince to the foot-hills of the Himalayan range.