The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c31.685

v2.c31.685

As Vīradhavala's principality lay between the Sabarmati and the Narbada, he had to bear the brunt of the assaults of the Yādava ruler Siṅghaṇa. I have already referred to one such expedition by Siṅghaṇa and his treaty with Vīradhavala's father in V.S. 1288. The *Hammīra-mada-mardana* gives a detailed account of another attack by Siṅghaṇa in collaboration with the Mālava-nareśa Devapāla (*c.* 1218-29 A.D.) and the *Maṇḍaleśvara* Saṁgrāmasiṁha who was the son of Sindhurāja and the nephew of Siṁha, the lord of Lāṭa.⁴ But thanks to the activity of Vastupāla's spies the alliance was dissolved and the allies dispersed. The Ambem inscription tells us that Rāma, the son of Kholeśvara, led a Yādava army as far as the Narmadā, where 'he slew a number of Gurjara soldiers, but he himself lost his life.' Sir R. G. Bhandarkar has shown that his expedition must have taken place shortly before Saka 1160 (*c.* 1295 V.S.).¹ Possibly therefore Rāma lost his life in the expedition referred to by the drama of Jayasiṁha. The *Vasanta-vilāsa* describes a victory of Vastupāla over the Cāhamāna ruler of Lāṭa named Saṅkhu. He attacked Stambhatīrtha from Bhṛgukaccha with a cavalry force but after a fierce struggle was forced to retreat to Bhṛgupura.² This Saṅkhu, who is also referred to by other Jain writers,³ is, I think, to be identified with the Saṁgrāma of the *Hammīra-mada-mardana*. Besides these wars, Vīradhavala is credited with other victories. I have already referred to his success against a Muslim invader who advanced as far as Medapāṭa. Someśvara records his campaigns against the chiefs of Vāmanasthalī, near Junagadh, Godhra in Eastern Gujrat, and Cutch.⁴ Not all of these were successful. In the last campaign we are told that Vīradhavala was defeated and made a prisoner.