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The exit of the Utpalas from the active political scene of Kashmir ushered in a new era which proved a veritable boon to the harassed and oppressed people of the Valley. Its inhabitants gained a much-needed respite and the country was once again on its way to prosperity similar to the time of Pravarasena, Meghavahana and Lalitaditya whose reigns have been noticed earlier. The new ruler, Yasaskara, did not belong to any royal family nor had he any background of note. His father, Kamadeva, had been a teacher of the sons of Meruvardhana, an influential minister of the State. His early life had been spent away from his homeland but he was a learned man possessed of eloquence and foresight. 1. Chapters II, IV. 2. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, V, 469-75.

Yasaskara had come to occupy the throne of Kashmir under very strange circumstances and at a time when the country was devoid of political stability (under suravarman II). But he vindicated his choice by the assembly of Brahmanas who had chosen him for the office. Essentially a pacifist by nature, he was able to maintain some semblance of peace within the country and, at the same time, controlled the officers of the State through firmness and persuasion. According to the Chronicle, his reign was devoid of disturbances either of an external or internal nature and gradually the king was able to gain the confidence of the people. Very soon he embarked upon a policy of administrative reforms and, as a first measure, restored many of the ordinances issued by kings in the past which were of a beneficial nature. Secondly, through effective policing, he soon rid the country of bands of robbers; and it was a matter of boast that during his reign shops would remain open till late in the night. Thirdly, he laid great emphasis on the promotion of agriculture and betterment of the lot 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vi, 6. 2. Ibid., I, vi, 7.

234 of the farmers. Injunctions were issued to the officers to help the agriculturists in all possible ways and not to harass them by extortion. Another notewworthy achievement of Yasaskara was promotion of education and learning. The Brahmanas were persuaded to lay down arms and devote themselves to the pursuit of knowledge. According to Kalhana, astrologers, physicians, counsellors, ministers and judges were expected to have studied carefully the treatises concerning their vocations while the teachers and the purohitas as well as even clerks were required to have a high degree of proficiency in their professions. Yasaskara is noted for his impartial judicial decisions and Kalhana illustrates his sense of justice by citing a few stories. According to Ray, we need not doubt the veracity of these stories. The learned scholar has observed, "Some stories of his wisdom illustrate his skill in the interpretation of legal contracts. They have a curious historical look and may be trusted." Kalhana also praises his forensic acumen and his name may be classed in the galaxy of just rulers of yore headed by the legendary 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vi, 8. 2. Ibid., I, vi, 9-12. 3. Ibid., I, vi, 13. 4. Ibid., I, vi, 14-41; 42-61. 5. Ray, S.C., E.H.C.K., p. 54.

235 Vikaramaditya. Yasaskara, it seems, did not lag behind even in munificence. He granted 55 villages. on the Vitasta as agraharas to learned Brahmanas and also constructed a matha for the students of Aryadesa probably at Parihasapura, his ancestral abode. But, as has happened so often in the course of the history of Kashmir, the rule of Yasaskara, which had started with a promise, fell into disrepute. Too often the kings of the Valley fell prey to the charms of the flesh and Yasaskara, too, could not escape from this weakness. He fell in love with Lalla, a low-class woman and elevated her to the 2 status of the chief queen. Naturally, therefore, discipline and morals became slack in the royal seraglio which became a hot-bed of intrigues. One of his governors (Mandalesa) carried on intrigues in the royal harem and, it appears, the king, though 1. Tradition places these agraharas at Kathula on the left bank of the Vitasta near Srinagar (Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vi, 89, Stein's note). The Chronicle further informs us that Yasaskara constructed the matha "Aryadesa", the term which "probably denotes northern India and the king's donation for students coming from Aryadesa and residing in Kashmir is significant as it reveals some intimate cultural contacts existing between the Happy Valley and the plains of India in the tenth century" (Ray, S.C., E.H.C.K., pp. 54-55). 2. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vi, 74.

236 knowing about, it paid little heed. Even the vicious Lalla carried on with a low class man and her faithlessness was revealed to the king by an officer. The king, however, was so infatuated with her that he could only remonstrate with the queen. Such a state of affairs could only result inlexity of general discipline and soon the administrative machinery fell prey to its old corrupt evils. Its beginning was made by the king himself who appointed four city-prefects (Nagaradhikrita) where there normally was only one and these newly appointed officers soon distinguished themselves by tortuous extortions in order to please the king. Yasaskara gave up the habit of taking interest in military exercises; he even went to the extent of placing his sword in a temple, which clearly indicates that he had ceased taking interest in military activities. The result was that the once famous infantry regiments of the Valley, which had distinguished themselves so often in the defence of the country earlier, fell into disrepute and finally came to an extinction. There was a marked change in the disposition of the king also; he felt no grief nor displayed it at the 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vi, 73. 2. Ibid., I, vi, 77-83. 3. Ibid., I, vi, 70. 4. Ibid., I, vi, 71. 3

237 death of his brother giving rise to the rumour that he himself was the cause of it. Things came to such a worse that Yasaskara lost all interest in the affairs of the State. He did not nominate Sangramadava, his son, who was yet a child as his successor because he was not sure 2 whether the child was his own. Consequently, his choice of a successor fell on his cousin Varnata, a 3 son of Ramadeva, his paternal grand uncle. This act of Yasaskara, however, seems to have set off a series of reactions; there were many who nourished secret. dreams of usurping the throne by ousting the child Sangramadeva, but were thwarted. One such was Parvagupta, a vicious and powerful minister, who was 4 dreaming of occupying the throne after Yasaskara.