History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c17.s5.19

c17.s5.19

The kingdom of Jejākabhukti rapidly grew in power and saw its palmy days under Dhanga (circa 950-1000 A. D.), who is alleged in the Mhow inscription to have attained to “supreme lordship after inflicting a defeat over the king of Kānyakubja.”⁵ The success of the Candellas against the Pratīhāras is further confirmed by a Khajurāho inscription, wherein we are told that Dhanga ruled the earth “playfully acquired by the action of his long and strong arms, as far as Kālañjara, and as far as Bhāsvat situated (?) on the banks of the river Mālava; from here to the banks of the river Kālindī (Jumnā), and from here also to the frontiers of the Cedi country, and even as far as that mountain called Gopa (Gopādri), which is the unique abode of marvel.”¹ The Sāsbahū inscription, however, attributes the conquest of Gwalior to the Kacchapaghāta prince Vajradāman, who is said to have “put down the rising valour of the ruler of Gādhinagara, and his proclamation drum ... resounded in the fort of Gopādri.”² As his only known date 977 A. D.³ falls within the limits of Dhanga’s reign, we may assume that Vajradāman was a local feudatory chief of the Candella ruler, whom he assisted in the conquest of Gwalior. The loss of this ancient possession must have dealt a severe blow to the strength of the Pratihāras, as thereby the Candellas got hold of a strategic position, which they could well use as a base for further encroachments. Indeed, it is likely that towards the close of his reign Dhanga carried his arms as far as Benares, since a copper plate of (Vikrama) year 1055 = 998 A. D. records that he made a grant of the village of Yulli (?) situated in the Uṣāravāha to the Bhaṭṭa Yaśodhara at Kāśikā or Benares.⁴