The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c29.s2.111.2

v2.c29.s2.111.2

It has been translated as follows: "The crest-jewel of crowned heads, he became famous under the name Vikramāditya, wishing to run away from whom with dishevelled hair (the king of Kuntala) who was deprived of his country came to possess it again."¹ According to Hiralal, 'the eulogist evidently seems to convey that Gāṅgeyadeva was so noble that he restored the Kuntala country to its king who was defeated and was running away with dishevelled hair?'² A Candella inscription from Mahoba tells us that 'when Gāṅgeyadeva who had conquered the world (*jita-viśva*) perceived before him (this) terrible one (Vijayapāla)... the lotus of his heart closed the knot of pride in battle.'³ It is difficult to separate *praśasti* from facts in these claims. But the fact that he is given the credit of having conquered the world in an enemy's record is highly significant. I have already indicated elsewhere that the reign of Vijayapāla probably represented a rather inglorious period of Candella history.⁴ The Piawan rock-inscription, as well as the statement in the Kalacuri records that Gāṅgeya took up his residence at the feet of the holy fig-tree at Prayāga,⁵ shows the extension of his power up to the Ganges in the north. It suggests also the possibility that the whole of the Baghelkhund Agency had passed into his possession.