The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c16.130.2

v1.c16.130.2

A slab of stone bearing the figures of the ten incarnations of Viṣṇu in the walls of a modern temple of Śiva at Ramgaya (just opposite the temple of Gadādhar at Gaya on the other side of Phalgu) bears a short inscription, which tells us that it was a gift of a certain Sahadeva in the 8th year (from) the *abhiṣeka* of Mahendrapāla.⁴ Another image-inscription of the same king was discovered at Gunariya, near the Grand Trunk Road in the Gaya district. It is dated in year 9 of the same king.⁵ A third inscription of the same king was recently discovered at Itkhori in the Hazaribagh district, on an image of Tārā.⁶ Another image inscription is reported to have been seen by Captain Kittoe⁷ while two other inscriptions said to have been discovered in Bihar and belonging to the reign of Mahendrapāla are preserved in the British Museum.⁸ It is thus clear that a large slice of Bihar including at least Gaya and Hazaribagh districts passed under the control of the Gurjaras. Bhoja had already obtained some successes against Devapāla. The pressure was continued in the subsequent period; but it appears that up to the 7th year of Nārāyaṇapāla, the Pālas succeeded in holding Magadha against the Gurjaras, who were now at the head of a mighty empire. As I have already shown, Vigrahapāla and Nārāyaṇapāla appear to have been rather men of peace, and were no match for their powerful rivals.