The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c16.351.2

v1.c16.351.2

Kielhorn edited an undated Gaya inscription of a king named Yakṣapāla.² This stone-inscription consists of 21 lines written in Devanāgarī script of about the 12th century A.D. It opens with *Oṁ namo Sūryāya*, and records that the above-mentioned *nṛpati* built a temple at Gaya for the gods Maunāditya, Sahasraliṅga, Kamalā, Ardhāṅgīna, Dvistomeśvara, Phalgunātha, Vijayāditya and Kedāradeva. He also dug a tank and established a hall of charity (*sattra*). In the genealogical portion of the inscription Yakṣapāla traces his descent from Śūdraka, to whom we are told the lord of *Gauḍa*, "almost equal to Indra," paid homage. His son was *nṛpa* Viśvarūpa, who is said to have gained great victories and conferred the riches appropriated from the enemy to "the most excellent twice-born." His son was *narendra* Yakṣapāla. Kielhorn was right in not accepting this prince as a son of Rāmapāla. The mention of Śūdraka and Viśvāditya shows that this family must be identified with the Brahman family whose inscriptions at Gaya are dated in the 15th year of Nayapāla (*c.* 1040-1055 A.D.) and the 5th year of Vigrahapāla III (*c.* 1055-81 A.D.) The assumption of royal titles by Viśvāditya and his son Yakṣapāla at Gaya, shows that the Pāla hold even over Magadh was growing loose. It is likely that this family became practically independent soon after the death of Rāmapāla. Another small principality which also probably became free from the control of the Pālas at this time was that of the Mānas.