The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c16.300

v1.c16.300

After this Śūrapāla and Rāmapāla appear to have been released, and the former who was probably senior to Rāmapāla, and is described as *sahodara* of Mahīpāla in the Manahali grant of Madanapāla, became king of the much reduced Pāla dominions, which now seem to have consisted of only a portion of Bihar and the northern part of the Presidency division of Bengal. It is interesting to note in this connection that the *Rāma-carita* does not mention Śūrapāla as having ascended the throne. It passes on from Mahīpāla II to Rāmapāla. But as the Manahali grant of Madanapāla distinctly refers to him as *narapati* it is almost certain that Sandhyākara Nandī was wrong on this point. A reason for this omission by a courtier of Rāmapāla may have been the fact that Śūrapāla's reign was rendered rather short by the violent hand of his master, which probably (though definite evidence is lacking) led the court historian to pass over unpleasant details of his patron's life.¹ Whatever may have been the means by which Rāmapāla secured his throne, his accession was justified by his success. Aided by his maternal uncle, the Rāṣṭrakūṭa Mathanadeva, he took active measures to reorganise the resources of his kingdom. Taking advantage of the troubles of the Pālas, most of the feudatories appear to have asserted their independence. The first task was to re-establish the royal power over these vassals. The commentator of the *Rāma-carita* informs us that Mathana (also called Mahana), riding on his elephant *Vindhyamāṇikya* defeated the *Pīṭhīpati* Devarakṣita. The word *Pīṭhīpati* is explained by the commentator as *Magadhādhipa*. This incident appears to be also referred to in the Sarnath inscription of Kumāradevī, the queen of the Gāhaḍavāla Govindacandra (c. 1114-55 A.D.). We are told that :¹