The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c16.315.2

v1.c16.315.2

The next principality is Bāla-Valabhī,² which is described by the commentator as *Devagrāma-pratibaddha*. We have already pointed out that this name occurs in the Bhuvanesvar *praśasti* of Bhaṭṭa Bhavadeva. Paṇḍit H. P. Śāstrī has identified it with "Bagḍi (Vāgaḍī), one of the five provinces into which Bengal was divided," while others locate it in the Nadia district. Though there is no evidence in support of either of these identifications, it is likely that it was the name of a district in West Bengal. It is to be noted that Bhaṭṭa Bhavadeva, who is described as *Bāla-Valabhī-bhujaṅga*, was a resident of Rāḍhā. The relationship of Vikramarāja, the ruler of this place, to Harivarmadeva, whom Bhavadeva aided with his counsel, is at present unknown. The next ruler is Lakṣmīśūra of Apara-mandāra. I have already pointed out the presence of Śūra rulers in Western Bengal.³ Though we do not exactly know what relationship, if any, this ruler had to the Śūras of Coḷa and Sena inscriptions and of Bengal tradition, he may have belonged to a branch of the same family, and in that case we should locate Apara-mandāra somewhere in Western Bengal. The next ruler,—Sūrapāla, is not otherwise known. The identification of his principality is also uncertain. It would clearly be hazardous to regard him as a kinsman of the Pālas from his name.¹ The next principality, Tailakampa, has been identified with some probability with Telkup, near Pachet, in the Manbhum district (Bihar)² by Paṇḍit H. P.