The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c28.29.6

v2.c28.29.6

1059 tells us that Harṣa protected the whole earth after subduing his adversaries.¹ These references to Harṣa do not contain any historical facts, but in spite of their vague character they seem to indicate that his was a more substantial figure than any of his predecessors. If Kielhorn was right in his assumption that ‘ the relative *yena* in line 10 ’ of the fragmentary Khajraho inscription mentioned above ‘ refers to Harṣadeva,’ the latter's claim to have reinstalled Kṣitipāla, his overlord, on his throne must indicate a considerable degree of power and prestige. He further strengthened his position by forming a matrimonial alliance with the Cāhamānas, who were also gradually breaking away from the empire. Another matrimonial alliance of Harṣa seems to be revealed by the Benares grant of Lakṣmī-Karṇa, the Kalacuri king of Tripurī. If the *Citrakūṭa-bhūpāla* of this inscription to whom Kokkalla claims to have granted ‘ freedom from fear ’ is identified with the Candella Harṣa, then it looks likely that the Candella princess Naṭṭā (*Naṭṭākhyadevī*), the queen of Kokkalla, was a relative of this Candella prince.³ Without openly defying his overlord, Harṣa thus appears to have slowly consolidated his position at home and abroad. It was left to his son Yaśovarman, *alias* Lakṣmavarman, to engage in more ambitious projects for increasing the Candella territory by launching into schemes of foreign conquest and aggrandisement. I have already shown⁴ that some time before 940 A.D.