The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c8.s9.5

v1.c8.s9.5

One of these expressions informs us that he regained his family’s fortunes owing to the confidence created by the qualities inherited by him from his predecessors.¹ It had long been held that this notice referred to the successful termination of the war of succession between Narendrasena and his brother (the father of Devasena). This view has now been rendered untenable by the new discoveries mentioned above. It is true that a dynastic dispute may arise not merely between brothers but also between very distant cousins separated several decades before. During the fairly long minority of the son of Pravarasena II of the Basim branch, Pravarasena II of the main line was most probably at the head of the Basim administration. It is not impossible that like Maṅgaliśa of the Chālukya family, Pravarasena II of the main branch may have refused to hand over the administration to the young prince even after his attaining his majority, and that the latter may have exploited the situation created by the death of Pravarasena II by rebelling against his son Narendrasena and even ousting him for some time from his ancestral throne. This, however, does not seem to be the catastrophe from which Narendrasena suffered. Had the boy prince of the Ajanta record succeeded in securing such a victory over Narendrasena, it would have been described in that record. As it is, it contents itself by saying simply that though he was eight years old, he ruled well. About his successor Devasena we are told that he spent his life in the enjoyment of its pleasures and entrusted the government entirely to the care of his minister Hastibhoja. It is thus clear that neither of these princes was engaged in any military activities and thus they could not have been the cause of the misfortunes of Narendrasena.