The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c18.201.3

v1.c18.201.3

The Mau inscription seems to show that Govindacandra maintained friendly relations with the Candella Madanavarman (*c.* 1129-63 A.D.).² But the most important fact about the relations of the Gāhaḍavālas with the princes of the South is their regular diplomatic connection with the great Coḷa rulers. Venkayya has drawn our attention to an unfinished inscription at Gaṅgaikoṇḍa-Coḷapuram which gives the genealogy of the Gāhaḍavālas from Yaśovigraha to Candra.³ It is almost a verbatim copy of the introduction of Govindacandra's Kamauli grant, dated in V.S. 1182.⁴ But unfortunately the record abruptly stops after the name of Candra. As the inscription occurs immediately after a record of Kulottuṅga I dated in his 41st year (*c.* 1110-11 A.D.), it is generally supposed to belong to the time of Madanapāla or his son Govindacandra. It is likely that after the advance of the Coḷas to the Ganges under Rājendra Coḷa in the first quarter of the 11th century, the communication between the far south and the Ganges valley, became much more brisk and intimate. There is unquestionable epigraphic evidence to show that the Coḷas retained their hold on a large portion of the land which lies between the river Godavari and Mahendragiri.¹ The attacks by Kulottuṅga I,² and some of his predecessors on Vairagarh in C. P. may have brought the Coḷas into conflict with the Kalacuris.