A.B.616. 



42 HISTORY OF 'CASHMM& 



to construct temples and edifices for the accommodation of such of their 

 subjects., as might visit that kingdom.* 



It was foretold to this prince by an astrologer, that he should be the last, 

 of the race of Gonerda, and his only daughter should transfer the kingdom 

 to a different dynasty of priuces.t The monarch was not well pleased with 

 this prediction, and resolved to prevent its fulfilment, by refusing to grant 

 his daughter in marriage at all : his precautions were unavailing: a descend- 

 ant of Carcota Naga and protege of the monarch, succeeded in obtaining 

 privately the affections and person of the princess, and the assistance of the 

 chief officers of state secured his accession to the throne, upon the death of 

 the king, which happened shortly afterwards. 



SECTION II. 



Durlabha Verddiiana,^ the descendant of Carcota,^ thus obtained the prin- 

 cess and the kingdom, and founded anew and powerful dynasty: his reign 

 was chiefly distinguished by his encouragement of religion, and the tem- 

 ples he founded, or the endowments he bestowed upon the Brahmans. He 

 reigned 36 years, and was succeeded by his son. 



* Consistently with the former chronology Bedia-ad-din makes this prince contemporary 

 with Yezdejird, from whom he wrested the north eastern districts of Persia, but he confounds 

 Baldditya with Pratdpdditija here, and passes over the intermediate monarch altogether. 



t We have seen however the crown repeatedly pass into different families, and therefore 

 our author nods; unless indeed he considered the princes so described, as members, not of a 

 different race, but of other branches of the Gonerdiya stock. 



j Dirleyir Dirwun. — Abulfazl. 



§ Carcota is one of the Ndgas or Serpent demigods : the name occurs, as well as Nila, in the 

 list of them in the Mahdbharata : a temple at Benares is also dedicated to this serpent deity. 



