The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c18.14.3

v1.c18.14.3

I suggest that this city was Benares.⁶ It is significant that a very large number of the Gāhaḍavālas' inscriptions have been discovered near Benares, and these record grants of land near that sacred city. In the Muslim chronicles the Gāhaḍavālas were known as kings of Benares.¹ Candella inscriptions also seem to refer to them as rulers of Kāśī.² Under the circumstances, the assumption of the title ‘lord of Kānyakubja’ may be explained by the fact that the halo of imperialism probably still lingered on the battered turrets of the forts of Kanauj. The person who acquired its sovereignty could therefore flatter himself with the belief that he was the overlord of Northern India. The area under the control of Candradeva is possibly indicated by the claim, uniformly made in many Gāhaḍavāla grants³ that he protected the holy places (*tīrtha*) of Kāśī, Kuśika, Uttara-Kośala, and Indrasthāna.⁴ If the suggestion of Hall, that Indrasthāna is to be identified with Indraprastha or old Delhi, be accepted, this would show that Candradeva became practically the ruler of nearly the whole area now known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. The expansion of the Gāhaḍavālas’ power, at least in the eastern portion of U.P., must have been largely at the expense of the Kalacuris.