THE HISTORY OF KATHIAWAD nature and his intellect is weak and narrow. Still he believes in the three precious things. For seven days every year he holds a great assembly, at which he dis- tributes to the multitude of recluses choice dishes, the three garments, medicine, the seven precious things, and rare objects of great value. After giving all these in alms, he buys them back at double price. He esteems virtue and honours the sages. He reverences religion and values science. The most eminent men of distant countries are always objects of respect with him. At a little distance from* the city there is a great convent built long ago by the care of the Arhat Atharya. It was there that the Bodhi Sattvas Gunamati and Sthiramati fixed their abode and composed several books which are published With praise. Such is an eye-witness's account of Walabhi at the height of its glory and power, and it is evident that the wealth of the inhabitants was only exceeded by their piety. Thus we see that Saurashtra still maintained its reputation in both respects, but the fall of the Walabhi dynasty completely changed the conditions. On an inscription at Baroda dated AJX 812 is written " Sau- rashtra has lost its name of Saurajya from the ruin that has fallen upon it.'9 " Ichabod " appears to have been written over its portals, and the details of the invasion which wrought so great a change will probably never be brought to light. The past has kept its secret well. The copper-plate inscriptions of the kings of Walabhi give us some idea of the extreme religious feeling which appears to have been prevalent. Buddhism was nowhere in a more flourishing condition, and it is most probable that the fall of Walabhi sounded its death-knell. Buddha's philosophy disappeared from India between the eighth and tenth centuries A.D., after running hand in hand with Brahmanism for over a thousand years. Perhaps too much time spent in religious exercises was the cause of Walabhi's downfall. Peace and prosperity had doubt- 42