The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c11.t2.7

c11.t2.7

In the Khâlimpur copper plate inscription we have a hint that Dharma-pâla had to build a bridge of boats at Pâtali-putra. And "the manifold fleets of boats proceeding on the path of the Ganges made it seem as if a series of mountain tops had been sunk to build another causeway". The general superintendent of boats was then as in Kautilya's language known as *târika*.³ The organization of Devapâla's extensive campaigns by which he compelled entire Northern India from sea to sea to pay tribute to Bengal is as unknown as that under his predecessor. The name of one general can be wrung out of the inscriptions, that of Someśvara, the son of the Premier, Darbha-pâṇi. For obvious reasons Bengal has always had a boat service attached to the army.