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Early in the reign of Gopalavarman a Shahi chief, finding a minor on the throne of Kashmir and taking advantage of the situation, rose into 1. Bazaz, P.N., Daughters of Vitasta, p. 25. 2. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, V, 231.

209 rebellion. The queen-regent, whatever her faults might have been, rose to the occasion and fearing that other subordinates might also behave likewise, sent Prabhakarvarman to crush the rebellion. The latter inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Shahi rebel chief, who was dethroned and Toramana, also known as Kamaluka and a son of Lalliya, was placed on the Shahi throne. 2 The circumstances leading Toramana to seek shelter at the court of Kashmir (whose king was an enemy of his father) need explanation. According to Ganguly, Sankaravarman could not gain success against Lalliya Shahi but, after the latter's death, the Shahi throne was usurped by Samanta, also a scion of the Shahi family. He also brings to notice certain coins found in Afghanistan bearing the legend 'sri Samanta'. Consequently, Toramana sought shelter at the Kashmir court and requested for help. According to Vaidya, Malliya was defeated by Sankaravarman who placed Samanta on the Shahi throne. Later, after the death of Sankaravarman and during the period of regency, Samanta was emboldened to 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, V. 232-33, 237. 2. Alberuni, India, II, p. 13; Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, V, 232-33 (Stein's note). 3. Majumdar, R.C., Age of Imperial Kanauj, p. 112. 4. Vaidya, C.V., History of Medieval Hindu India, I, p. 194.

210 shake off the allegiance of Kahsmir and was defeated by Prabhakara. Subsequently, the latter placed Toramana on the Shahit throne at Udabhanda (Und) and gave him the new name Kamaluka. It may be noted here that Sankaravarman is credited with some victories in territories around the banks of the Indus and, as the Chronicle informs us, wanted to remove Lalliya 'from his sovereign position ¹. Now Udabhandalay on the western bank of that river and it is quite probable that Vaidya's suggestion 2 might be true. Death of Gopalavarman For some time, Prabhakaravarman gained popularity because of his successful handling of the revolt of the Shahis. But, within a very short period, he began misusing his powers and embezzled the royal treasures. Gopalavarman soon came to learn of his intimacy with his mother and also of the misuse of royal treasures and demanded an explanation from Prabhakaravarman. The minister pleaded that the money had been spent on the Shahi expedition which, however, did not satisfy the 3 king. Fearing that the king might resolve to get 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, V, 152-55. 2. Ibid., I,V, 216. 3. Ibid., I, V, 238.

211 rid of him, Prabhakara managed to get the king killed with the help of Ramadeva, a relation of his. Thus ended the nominal rule of Gopalavarman after he had been on the throne for only two years.