The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c19.s4.1

v1.c19.s4.1

In my chapters on the dynasties of Bengal and Bihar and the Gāhaḍavālas, I have already referred to this line of Rāṣṭrakūṭas. In her Sarnath inscription, Kumāra-devī,⁴ the queen of the Gāhaḍavāla Govindacandra (*c.* 1114-1155 A.D.), refers to her maternal grandfather Mahana, the ruler of Aṅga (*Aṅgapa*) and ‘a peerless warrior of the Gauḍa country.’ Mahana is further described as ‘the venerable maternal uncle (*mātula*) of kings’ who had conquered the Chikkora Devarakṣita of Pīṭhī and maintained the glory of Rāmapāla. This led to the identification of Mahana with the Rāṣṭrakūṭa Mahana or Mathana of the *Rāma-carita* of Sandhyākara Nandī,⁵ who was the maternal uncle of Rāmapāla (*c.* 1084-1126 A.D.), and materially aided him in establishing his power. The *Rāma-carita* makes it clear that Mathana was a feudatory of Rāmapāla. The names of the following members of this family are supplied by the *Rāma-carita*¹ and the Sarnath inscription:—