The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c16.329

v1.c16.329

Though all the Sāmantas and their principalities cannot be identified, it should be observed that, so far as it is possible to identify them, most of them are located in portions of West Bengal, Bihar, and North Bengal. This is consistent with our conclusion that East and South Bengal under the Candras and the Varmans were completely freed from the control of the Pālas long before the Kaivarta rebellion. Rāmapāla accompanied by these feudatories, crossed the Ganges probably on a bridge of boats (*Gaṅgāyāṁ taraṇi sambhavena naukāmelakena*).⁵ In the struggle that followed Bhīma was defeated and taken prisoner.⁶ It was probably after this victory that Rāmapāla destroyed the Damara of the Kaivartas, which is described as a small town (*upapura*).⁷ Though imprisoned Bhīma was at first treated kindly by his captors.⁸ It was only after the resistance of Hari, probably an officer of Bhīma, who rallied the remnants of the Kaivarta army and was defeated and taken prisoner by one of the sons of Rāmapāla that both Hari and his master were put to death.¹ Rāmapāla celebrated his conquest of Varendrī by founding the city of Rāmāvatī. It has been identified with Rāmauti in the Sarkār Lakhnauti of the *Ā'īn-i-Akbarī*.² The *Rāma-carita* seems to locate it between the Kāratoya and Ganges.³ From the camp situated in this city Madanapāla issued his Manahali grant in his 8th year.⁴