The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c30.s4.365

v2.c30.s4.365

The inscriptions noticed above range from V. S. 1275 to 1289, corresponding to *c.* 1218-1232 A.D. While editing the Harsauda stone inscription Kielhorn noticed the similarity of the royal titles in that record to those occurring in the inscriptions of the descendants of *Mahākumāra* Lakṣmīvarman.⁸ His suspicion was confirmed by the Mandhata plates, which distinctly state that Devapāla was the son of Hariścandra, who must be identified with the son of Lakṣmīvarman bearing the same name. Devapāla was therefore a brother of Mahākumāra Udayavarman, for whom we have the date V.S. 1256.⁹ The fact that, unlike his father and grand-father Devapāla discards the title of *Mahākumāra* and assumes imperial titles would seem to indicate that in him the two families again became reunited. It is easy to conclude that the line of Arjunavarman ceased to exist for lack of male heirs. But it is not beyond the range of probability that the line of Lakṣmīvarman, who, if Kielhorn's guess is correct, never regarded the line of Ajayavarman as the legitimate rulers of Mālava, may have ousted their relatives by violence.