365bet娱乐

Thus, the discussion have made it clear that these temple have survived at least to the year of 1548 A.D., when the occurrence of an earthquake of vigorous intensity have cause unrepearable damage to this mighty temple complex. That means, the periodical renovation or construction works in the very temple complex must have been going on for centuries. However, all those. construction possibly after 12 th century A.D., have lost the original vigor and showed a sign of deterioration. The discovery of the ruins of brick temples as well as crude natured sculptures (some of them are now conserve to the site museum) are the best proved example of this fact(Fig 12.7). Scholar like R.D. Choudhury have tried to confirm the date of construction of the main temple at Madan-Kamdev as in 12 th century A.D. His proposition is primarily based on the stylistic evidences of the sculptures affix to the surviving plinth of the main temple. 115 However, this conclusion is quite difficult to accept specially in reference to the prevailing political situation and its consequences to the plastic activities of the country. Throughout the 12 th century A.D. there were three important kings to rule in Kamrupa and they were Jayapala, Vaidyadeva and Vallabhadeva. The date of all these three kings have been described differently by different scholars. Without entangling ourselves in this confusion, we can safely ascribed the date of Jayapala and Vaidyadeva as in the first half of 12 th century 115. Choudhury, R.D. : Archaeology of the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, 1985, p.230.

53 A.D. while the date of Vallabhadeva to the last quarter of the 12 th century A.D. 鈥� Though not a great conqueror, Jayapala was a great ruler who had successfully maintained the extension of Kamrupa to Pundravardhan and Sravasti. According to the Silimpur stone slab inscription, Kamrupi King have maintained their sway over this region upto 1120 A.D. 116 Pundravardhan was always regarded by the Kamrupi king as a significant possession of their military glory and it always remain as a born of contention between Kamrupa and Gauda. Kings from both side tried to issue land grant from this tract to commemorate their military glory.117 Whatever might be the fact, the Silimpur inscription have further stated that King Jayapala of Kamrupa constructed a Siva temple in which a Brahman named as Prabhasa built an image of Amarnath, 118 It is now quite difficult to identify the specific temple constructed by Jayapala, but still it has made an indication that Jayapala was a builder and a believer of Saivite philosophy. Kamrupa-nagara still remain as the capital of the country and under such circumstances there is every probability that the King like Jayapala might have contributed something to this temple complex of our discussion at the vicinity of his capital city. The death of Jayapala marked the formal ending of the rule of Brahmapala dynasty. After his death, King Ramapala of Gauda invaded Kamrupa who might have outstated the weak 116. Choudhury, P.C. : Op-cit, 1987, p.246. 117. Barua, S.L. : Op-cit, 1985, p.130. 118. Choudhury, P.C.: Op-cit, 1987, p.246.

54 successor of Jayapala to the southern bank of river Brahmaputra and one of the representative of this outstated line of Brahmapala dynasty was Samudrapala of Ambari inscription. 119 Though, it is now quite difficult to ascertain the intensity or Ramapala's invasion but still it can safely be said that there was a tremendous pressure of Gauda army on the capital which ultimately complled the successor of Jayapala to abandon the capital. To commemorate his victory, Ramapala might have constructed a temple 120 or other monument some where around the capital city, if not by himself. but under the supervision of his representative Tingyadeva, Vaiyadeva. Further research would shed more light on this subject. Some other authority has stated that the death of Jayapala resulted the emergence of local kings, of whom Vaidyadeva and Vallabhadeva are supposed to have rule over parts of old Kingdom during the 2 nd half of 12 th century A.D. 121 In between Jayapala and Vaidyadeva, there was local a feudatory chief in repute, known as Tingyadeva whose capital was Kamrupa-nagara. He was the tributary ruler of later Palas of Bengal. Tingyadeva was defeated by Vaidyadeva who establish himself in Kamrupa as a vessel ruler but ultimately became an independent King 123 and assumed the title Maharajadhiraja Paramesvara Paramabhattaraka. 124 K.L. 119. Sarma, D. : Pragjyotishar Itihas(As), 2002, p.93. 122 120. It is a general practice of Indian King, to construct any monument to commemorate any victory. 121. Sarma, S.N.: Socio-Economic and Cultural History of Medieval Assam, 1989, p.14. 122. Barua, K.L. : Op-cit, 1988, p.127. 123. Ibid., p.131. 124. Kamauli grant, vv. 47-48.

55 Barua has made an interesting comment that Prithu was one of the distant successors of Vaidyadeva. 125 The scholar has further stated that there were at least two successors of Prithu who had continued their rule from Kamrupa-nagara. 126 That means, from the time of Dharmapala to the middle of 13 th century Kamrupanagara served as the seat of active politics. Whatever might be the fact, Vaidyadeva was a great ruler who had started his career as an illustrious minister in the ministry of Kumarapala of Gauda and ultimately by taking the opportunity of the weakness of Kamrupi King he established himself as the ruler of Kamrupa. He was the first man from the side of Gauda who not only conquered Kamrupa but also establish here an independent Kingdom.¹ 127 His Kamauli grant has mention about a city named as Hamsakonci. 128 It appears that this city was the seat of his government 129 wherefrom Vaidyadeva granted the charter to brahman named Sridhara. However, Hamsakonci was not the permanent seat of his government as it being often referred simply as a victorious camp. Under such circumstances Kamrupanagara seem to be the real seat of his government. 125. Barua, K.L.: Op-cit, 1988, p.131. 126. Ibid., p. 130. 127. Baruah, S.L.: Op-cit, 1985, p.130. 128. Kamauli grant, v. 18. Depending on the suffix konci of the term scholar like K. L. Barua tried to confirm the location of this place somewhere around Kamrupa district. 129. It was a victorious camp as the term Jayaskandavara indicate. (Sarkar, I, Aspects of Historical Geography of Prgjyotisha Kamrupa, 1991, p.163). M.M. Sarma also translate the term as 'victorious royal headquarter, (Sarma, M.M. Op-cit, 1978, p. 286).

56 Initially Vaidyadeva was a devote of Vishnu, 130 but later he became an ardent worshipper of Kamesvara Mahagauri. 131 Scholars often tried to identify Kamesvara Mahagauri or Mahagauri-Kamesvara as Kamakhya. 132 While accepting this view we should have to keep in mind that these two term being used to highlight the popularity of the Tantric consecration of Siva Sakti in this land as we will explain in the later stages of our study. Madan-Kamdev is one of the most prominent place in Kamrupa where this combine from of Siva Sakti being popularly worship even today also. Apart from that the description of Kamauli grant has also made an indication that the Kingdom of Vaidyadeva comprises of present Kamrup district on the northern bank of river Brahmaputra. This has normally increase the scope to presume that Vaidyadeva might have contributed something to the temple complex at the cross road to the capital city of Kamrupa. When he shifted his centre of activities from Bengal to Kamrupa there much have been some associate and Silpakara who in turn might have contributed something to the aesthetic heritage of Kamrupa. The image of Uma Maheshwara in the stella now kept in the garbhagriha of the main temple plinth at Madan-Kamdev can be regarded as one of the best possible exponent of this imbibed aesthetic concept from the side of Bengal. 133 130. Kamauli grant, v. 18. 131. Barpujari, H.K.: Op-cit, Vol.I, 1990, p.163. 132. Ibid. 133. This is the best surviving image in Stella form at Madankamdeva, Stella is an unique aesthetic ideal of Pala Sena art form of Bengal.

57 There are some other angles to look the matter of 134 Vaidyadeva. The rise of regional power throughout the period of 12 th century A.D. had created a class of less important rulers who thought it appropriate to use What was once an imperial title, Maharajadhiraja, and this was generally embedded in a mass of eulogistic and bombastic phraseology. That means, a mere title Maharajadhiraja used by the king Vaidyadeva did not imply that he was a great king. By the time of Vaidyadeva, the concept of feudalism seem to have found its full form growth in Kamrupa. The epigraphical evidences of both Salastambha and Pala have frequently made the references about the suppression of some unnamed enemies who were nothing but some powerful feudatories of that time. 135 The political condition of Assam at that time was very much supportive one for the growth of feudalism. The extinction of powerful Pala line of rulers had provided an opportunity to the Assamese feudatories to declare their independence in their specific localities. The rise of Bhuyans during the early part of 13 th century A.D. is the best prove evidence of this fact. 136 Under such circumstances, the ruler like Vaidyadeva, who had started his career as a minister in the country of Gauda, than as a vessel ruler of the same in Kamrupa, though ultimately have attained an independent status, but it is quite difficult to accept him as being a ruler of imperial status. It was the troublesome character of Kamrupi politics which compelled him to shift the 134. Thapar, R. : History of India, Vol. I, 1990, p.247. 135. Barua, S.L.: Op-cit, 1985, p.133. 136. Ibid., p. 134.

58 centre of his political activities to Hamsakonci. There is enough possibilities that he had constructed Vaidyargarh which is still found in north Kamrup. This type of fortification have normally made an indication about the trouble some character of Kamrupi politics. The construction of garh was a war tactics, popularly used by the Ahom rulers in the later stages of the history of Assam. With all these, it is now quite difficult to presume thatVaidyadeva have got enough time to construct an ornamentated monument like the main temple at Madan-Kamdev as he has to consume major span of his life in Kamrupa for his self defence. The construction of Vaidyargarh and shifting of his capital are two of the best available support of this fact. Similarly, it is also difficult to believe that Jayapala, the last ruler of the Brahmapala dynasty, ever have the capacity to propose or to make investment for the construction of any in lustrous monument. His power seem to be on the verge of extinction, because history had witnessed sudden collapse of famous Brahmapala dynasty with his death. That means he somehow managed the integrity of his Kingdom. There is no doubt that he was constructor, and he might have contributed something to the temple city of our discussion at the vicinity of his capital. But still it is hard to believe that the quality of his construction ever reached the level of the main temple complex at Madan-Kamdev as this type of illustrious construction would need time, money and man power certainly of huge amount to complete such a mega project. Apart from that the reigning period Jayapala includes only the very early part of 12 th century A.D., in other word, if we rely on the conclusion of D.C. Sarkar as mention earlier, his raining period concludes just on the eve of 12 th century A.D.

59 under such circumstances it is quite difficult to believe that Jayapala ever had any opportunity to make any illustrious contribution to this majestic temple complex at Madan-Kamdev. After Vaidyadeva, Vallabhadeva was another important ruler to rule in Kamrupa during the last quarter of 12 th century A.D. The history of his origin is quite confusing in nature. His Assam plate declared him as being a person belonging to Chandra dynasty and mention the name of three persons, Bhaskara, Rayarideva and Udaykarna as his predecessor. 137 History remain quite silent about the identity of these three persons and the matter still remain as a born of contention among the scholars. K L Barua has made an impression that like Tingyadeva, the predecessors of Vallabhadeva, were the feudatory chief perhaps under the later Kamrupa Kings as there is no room to adjust them as the royal personals between Vaidyadeva and 1185 A.D., the date of Vallabhdeva's inscription. - On the other hand, there is an another impression which would like to state Vallabhadeva as an independent ruler. 139 With these two extreme conclusion, the matter may be summerised in the following word that the predecessors of Vallabhadeva were actually the feudatory chief of an untrace line of Vaidyadeva's successors. The Assam plate described Rayarideva as one of his predecessor as a valiant warrior who fought on the side of Kamrupa against Vanga. This incident perhaps enhanced 140 137. Assam Plate, vv. 3,4,6. 138. Barua, K.L.: Op-cit, p.129. 139. Sarma, M.M.: Op-cit, 1978, p.300. 140. Assam Plate, v. 5.

60 the prestige of the family of Vallabhadeva and ultimately by taking the opportunity of the weakness of central line of power, Vallabhadeva established himself as an independent ruler if not in entire Kamrupa but at least in some part of it. Among the seven donated villages of Vallabhadeva, as Assam plates has mention, the name of one of the village was Samsrahikoncika. 141 This village has been popularly identified with modern village of Sangsari 142 just at the outskirt of MadanKamdeva. This normally inspired us to presume that the Chandra dynasty, mainly the Vallabhdeva might have some contribution in erecting this mighty temple complex here at Madan-Kamdev. But this time also, the political situation of the country seen to have provide him little opportunity to invest his time, money man power for any illustrious construction. While explaining the political situation of Kamrupa during the 12 th century A.D. it is generally believe that the death of Jayapala have created an atmosphere of disintegration. The absence of strong power in the centre, have provided ample opportunity to the feudatory rulers in Kamrupa to declare their independence. It is known to all that the rulers of the Varman dynasty were the true initiator of feudalism in Kamrupa. As the time went on, the system of granting land, the prime ingredient for the rise of feudalism, have caught the momentum, which in its turn accelerated the process of feudalism in Kamrupa. The feudal lords always act as an independent ruler in their respective territories and their prime obligations to the King was restricted 141. Ibid, vv. 18-19. 142. Sarma, M.M.: Op-cit, 1978, p.300. $

61 only to the supply of an annual ransom to the royal treasury as share of their product and soldiers to the kings army at the time of the necessities of the King. 143 But, when the central authority became weak, they emerged almost as the real independent rulers as they now deared to reject any obligation to their higher authorities. The death of Jayapala and sudden collapse of the Brahmapala dynasty have led to the absence of mainstream rulers and thus created an atmosphere of limited obligation to the feudal lords of Kamrupa. Under such circumstances, Vaidyadeva an alien ruler normally have to spend lot more time with arms to carve out a place for himself and to survive here in Kamrupa. The condition of Vallabhadeva was also not so good. The Kamauli grant of Vaidyadeva and the Assam plate of Vallabhadeva though have reflected their strong existence here in Kamrupa, but is can easily be imagined that under the changing political scenario of Kamrup, they have to work as a warrior rather than as a construction. Despite of creating all political discomfort to the royalty, the rise of feudalism, however have a great contribution to the history of Indian aesthetics as never invested their surplus wealth in craft production or trade, but used for conspicuous consumption. The palatial homes of the feudatories were richly ornamented and much of their income was spent in building magnificent temples.³ 144 This has normally led us to presume that in the development of this magnificent temple city at Madan-Kamdev, the feudal lords of Kamrupa certainly have made some contribution. As for example, the Bhuyans one of the best known clan of feudal lords in Assam 143. Thapar, R. : Opc-it, 1990, p.228. 144. Ibid.

62 during 13 th century, also seem to have contributed something to this majestic construction at Madan-Kamdev. The geographical extension of their ruling territories serve the purpose of presuming their contribution to the site. Act almost as the independent rulers their territory extended all along the northern bank of river J Suansiri in the north along with some part on the bank of river Kapili in modern Nowgaon district of Assam. 145