Part 2.4 - Biography of Durlabharaja (A.D.1009-1023)

[Full title: History of Chaulukyas (4) Durlabharaja [V.S. 1066 - 1080] (A.D.1009-1023)]

Durlabharaja ascended the throne some time in V.S.1066 (A.D.1009), The most important event of his reign was the re-conquest of Late. The Vadanagara-Prasasti states that," when filled with anger he somewhat contracted his arched eyebrows, that forthwith indicated its result the destruction of the Lata country. »68 Jayasimha Suri also writes, "Then Durlabharaja having obtained his kingdom,a cloud of the forest having destroyed the lord of the Latadesa, enjoyed his land with his fortunes."69 According to Hemacandra, Durlabha was invited by Mahendra to attend the Svayamvara-Sabha of his sister. Abhayatilaka Gani explains that Mahendra was the king of Naddula in Marudesa.70 He is probably identical with the only Mahendra king of Naddula that we know of who was a Cahamana king of that branch, whom Kielkorn identified with the prince of the same name who took shelter with Rastrakuta Dhavala when chased by Cahamana Durlabharaja."1 Hemacandra devotes practically half a canto to the description of the Svayamvara-Sabha which was held at Naddula. Durlabha went there and was accorded a fitting reception by Mahendra and almost all the girls of the city hastened to catch a glimpse of the good-looking Caulakya king. 72 At last Durlabha reached the Svayamvara-Mandapa where he was a given a seat befitting his exalted rank. Then Durlabhadevi, the sister of Mahendra,entered the pavilion, leaning on a female attendant. The attendant pointed out to the princes-the kings of Anga, Kasi, Avanti, Cedi, Kuru, Huna, Mathura, Vindhya,

Andhra and Gurjara. But Durlabha selected Durlabha and garlanded him. After the marriage ceremony was over, Mahendra gave his younger sister in marriage to Durlabha's younger brother Nagaraja, and according to the Abhayatilaka Gani. Laxmi was the name of this princess. But the rejected suitors had become very angry with the successful Durlabha, and attacked him when he was returning to Gujarat.Durlabha however, defeated them with comparative ease and returned home with his bride. 73 It is difficult to accept the whole of this narrative as a historical truth. During the time when the marriage of Durlabharaja is supposed to have taken place, North India was reeling under the remorseless raids of Sultan Mohammed. Hence it would have been remarkable for so many monarchs of North India to have left their domains for the purpose of attending the Svayamavara-Sabha of an insignificant Naddula chief's sister. But what sets the stamp of real imagination on the whole episode is the defeat by Durlabha of all the assembled kings. It is not surprising that this brilliant feat of Durlabha is not recorded in any Caulukya record,nor is it noticed by any other Chronicler; there is hardly any doubt that it was introduced by Hemacandra so that his Mahakavya might not suffer from want of the elements that characterised the classical Svayamvara of Indumati as described by Kalidasa. 74 According to Merutunga, Durlabha built in Anahilapataka a seven storeyed palace, with a disbursement office and an elephant stable and a clock-tower. Moreover he had built the temple of Madanasankara for the welfare of the soul of his brother Vallbharaja and he also had the tank of Durlabha excavated, 75