The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c8.s3.25

v1.c8.s3.25

¹ It has been argued that Gautamiputra Vrishadhvaja, whose seal has been found at Bhita, is identical with Gautamiputra, the eldest son of Pravarasena I, and was viceroy ruling over the Gangetic valley (Pai in *JIH*, xiv, pp. 180 ff.). Impressions of clay seals accompanied confidential letters sent to even distant countries; the mere fact that they are found at a particular place does not prove that the persons concerned were ruling over that place. Would it be reasonable to argue that because a seal of the British government is to be found in Washington, therefore the U.S.A. must be presumed to be a part of the British empire? The personal name of the Gautamiputra of the Bhita seal was Vrishadhvaja; Gautamiputra the son of Pravarasena is not known to have ever had this name. The Gautamiputra of the Bhita seal was a full-fledged ruling prince, who described his kingship as due to the grace of Mahāsena; Gautamiputra the son of Pravarasena died as only a crown prince. The two therefore cannot be identical.