The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c28.249

v2.c28.249

The above list certainly indicates a revival of the Candella power. Inscriptions 1-3 and 5-7 show that he was the master of the four famous places, Kalinjar, Khajraho, Ajaigarh and Mahoba, which are traditionally connected with the history of the Candellas. The Augasi and Mau inscriptions show his possession of the Banda and Jhansi districts and the neighbouring regions. As the former inscription was issued from Bhilsa and the Vāridurga grant records gifts of places within 50 miles of that place, it may be gathered that the Candella power had crossed the Betwa in the S. W. and advanced into the Paramāra territory in Malwa. This inference is confirmed by Verse 15 of the inscription No. 11, which tells us that 'the ruler of Mālava, full of arrogance, was quickly exterminated' by Madanavarman.¹ It is difficult to identify the *Mālaveśa* referred to in the verse. But he must have been one of the three Paramāra kings, Yaśovarman (A. D. 1134), Jayavarman, and Lakṣmīvarman (A D. 1143),² who seem to have ruled during the reign of Madanavarman (*c.* 1129-63 A.D.). The success of the Candellas in this direction seems to have brought them into contact of the Caulukyas of Anahilapāṭaka. The Gujarat chronicles refer to wars between Madanavarman and Siddharāja Jayasiṁha. We know from the *Dvyāśraya-kāvya* that Siddharāja (*c.* 1094-1144 A.D.) conquered Ujjain. According to the *Kīrtikaumudī*, Siddharāja went from Dhārā to Kālañjara The account in the *Kumārapālacarita* suggests that Siddharāja was compelled to come to terms and make peace.' ³ This agrees with the statement of a Kālañjara stone-inscription that Madanavarman 'in an instant defeated the king of Gurjara, as Kṛṣṇa in former times defeated Kaṁsa.'⁴ The identification of the *Gurjareśa* of this passage with the Gurjart king Siddharāja is generally accepted.¹ In the west the discovery of the Panwar hoard of his coins may indicate the possession of that portion of Baghelkhand which lies to the north of the Kaimur Range. Expansion on this side again brought him into conflict with the Kalacuris. This is proved by the claim made by the Mau stone-inscription that before his very name 'ever quickly flees the Cedi king, vanquished in fierce fight.'² The defeated Cedi king may possibly be identified with Gayā-Karṇa (*c.* 1151 A.D.), the son of Yaśaḥkarṇa (*c.* 1073-1125 A.D.). In the north his relationship with the Gāhaḍavālas is indicated by the statement of the Mau inscription that through dread of him ‘the king of Kāśi always passes his time in friendly behaviour.’³ The *Kāśirāja* referred to in this passage is certainly the powerful king Govindacandra (*c.* 1114-68 A.D.). In the south, though there is no reliable evidence to indicate the extent of Candella power, tradition seems to connect their power with territory as far south as the Bhanrer Range.⁴ It would therefore appear that the territories of Madanavarman were probably included more or less in the triangle of which the base was formed by the Vindhya, Bhanrer and Kaimur ranges and the two sides by the rivers Betwa and Jumna and the northern boundary line of Baghelkhand. Madanavarman had a long reign. The dates on his records show that he ruled at least for 34 years.