Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c20.s18.1

c20.s18.1

It is stated that Nahavāhana and Sālivāhana were contemporaries. The former was rich in treasure and the latter was equipped with a powerful army. It is said that Sālivāhana besieged the city of Bharuyakaccha every year where Nahavāhana ruled. Nahavāhana gave away rewards of hundred thousands to his servants who brought the hands or heads of any number of the enemy’s soldiers. This caused a great havoc in the enemy’s camp and thus Sālivāhana used to return to Paithāna. Once Sālivāhana made a conspiracy with his minister. He apparently insulted his minister and banished him. The minister reached Bharuvakaccha and was appointed as the minister of Nahavāhana. In course of time, he spent some of his minister’s wealth in building temples, mounds, ponds, lakes and trenches and some in making ornaments for the queens. Now the minister sent a secret message to Sālivāhana who invaded the city and got possession of Bharuyakaccha.¹²²