R. D. BANERJI ON THE PALAS OF BENGAL. 85 



similar reason we do not find the name of Rajyapala, the eldest son of Ramapala, who 

 could not have reigned as he died in his father's lifetime: — 



Vigrahapala III 



I 



Mahipala II Surapala Ramapala 



Rajyapala Kumarapala Madanapala. 



(died in his father's lifetime) 



Gopala III. 



The mention of Surapala's accession to the throne or the recognition of his chief- 

 ship in the Pala dominions, may have been omitted by Sandhyakaranandi, either 

 through carelessness, or as not being relevant to his subject. It may also be possible 

 that Surapala was Ramapala's rival for the throne, and though he had succeeded 

 temporarily he was overthrown in the long run and perhaps murdered at the instiga- 

 tion of his younger brother. Nothing is known about the extent of Surapala's reign 

 or his death. But it is quite certain that he was succeeded by his younger brother 

 Ramapala. In the course of time Divvoka had died and was succeeded by his brother 

 Rudoka. Rudoka was succeeded by his son Bhlma, who on his succession, began to 

 harass the people, living in the tract of land, which was still left in the possession of 

 the Palas. 1 At that time Ramapala was in great straits and thought himself to be 

 without friends. * But his son and his advisors sought him, and urged him to take 



the necessary steps, and he regained courage. 3 The author 



Ramapala is urged by his f the Ramacarita states in another place that he became 

 son and his friends to take . „ , . , . . . _ 



the field against Bhima. very anxious to nght with Bhima. His first step was to 



travel round the country to propitiate the feudatories and 

 subordinate kings of his father's kingdom, and he succeeded in gaining over the 

 forest feudatories. 5 During his travels he became convinced that all feudatories were 

 well disposed towards him. 15 By giving away lands along river banks and immense 

 wealth, Ramapala succeeded in obtaining horse and foot soldiers and elephants from 

 the feudatories. Sivaraja, the son of his maternal uncle and a Mahapratlhara, crossed 



the Ganges with foot, horse and elephants and entered the 

 W^S'^diisToat ^^ ™™W This expedition was undertaken 

 Sivaraja crosses the Ganges either to reconnoitre the enemy's position or as a sort of 

 countrv 16 " 5 ^ enemy ' s counter raid. Sivaraja so impetuously attacked Varendrl 



that the visayas and gramas in Bhlma' s country became 

 distressed. Sivaraja began to enquire about the ownership of the lands so that the 

 properties of the gods and the Brahmanas might be protected. 8 He succeeded 

 in driving away Bhlma' s followers from Varendrl proper", and then came back to 



I Comm. on V 39, L.C., p. 31. * Comm. on V 40, L.C., p. 31. 3 Comm. on V 26, L.C., p. 27. 



* Comm. on V 43, L.C., p. 32. 6 Comm. on V 43, L.C. , p. 32. 6 Comm. on Y 44. 



' Comm. on V 47, L.C, p. 33. S Comm. on V 48, L.C, p. 34. & Comm. on V 40, L.C. 



