The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c16.303

v1.c16.303

" In the Gauḍa country there was a priceless warrior with his quiver (*Kāṇḍapaṭika* ?), this incomparable diadem of the Kṣatriyas, the Aṅga king Mahana, the venerable maternal uncle of kings. He conquered Devarakṣita in war and maintained the glory of Rāmapāla, which rose in splendour because the obstruction caused by his foes was removed" (V. 7). We are told in verses 3-5 that this Devarakṣita belonged to the Chikkora family, and had succeeded his father Vallabharāja as lord of Pīṭhī. Verses 8-20 inform us that Mahanadeva married his daughter Śaṅkaradevī to the lord of Pīṭhī (Devarakṣita), who had by her a daughter named Kumāradevī, who became the queen of the Gāhaḍavāla king Govindacandra. The identification of the two Devarakṣitas, appears to be clear. As the conquest of the *Pīṭhīpati* is thus prominently mentioned in these records, it seems that this ruler was a very important feudatory of the Pālas. The Sarnath epigraph also says that after the removal of this obstruction the glory of Rāmapāla 'rose in splendour.' In the list of the *Sāmantas* of Rāmapāla, as we shall see later on, the lord of Pīṭhī is placed first. It thus appears that Mathana-Mahana, who was the feudatory ruler of the principality of Aṅga, after defeating this prince, finally won him over by giving him his own daughter. This combination of force with