History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c11.239

c11.239

The fact that Dhruvabhaṭa attended the religious assembly at Prayāga does not prove anything about his status. He went there as Harṣa's son-in-law, and as an independent prince like Bhāskaravarman. There was no "element of political obligation" in his attendance. Moreover, Dhruvabhaṭa himself used to hold such gatherings in his realm, and this circumstance must have also prompted him to witness the proceedings of a grander assembly. The *Life* says: "He is faithfully attached to the three treasures, and every year he assembles a great gathering and for seven days he entertains priests from all countries and bestows on them food of the best description, choice jewels, bedding and clothes, with varieties of medicaments and other things of different kinds."¹ Lastly, in the same connection the *Life* gives Dhruvabhaṭa the significant title of "King of South India,"² which speaks for itself and needs no comment. Thus, the available evidence does not justify the current assumption that Valabhi was a feudatory state of Kanauj.