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The reign of Harsha is a high watermark in the history of Kashmir for several obvious reasons. In the first place, the account of Kalhana, henceforward, assumes the shape of sober history as he treads on definite historical grounds and the facts narrated by him were within the recall of memory. Secondly, most of these can be corroborated by other indigenous and foreign pieces of evidence. The circumstances in which Harsha came to occupy the throne have already been described above and the suicide by Utkarsha during confinement in the prison had somewhat eased the political tension and nipped factious tendencies at the court. Though the country had been economically strained to its limits due to the misrule of the earlier kings and official extortions, the people as

-340 a whole were behind Harsha. The new King exhibited from the very beginning his mettle and soon there was some hope for betterment among the masses. Gifted with political vision, Harsha soon set about in earnest to set the affairs of the State in order. Harsha was quick enough to realise his own. position. He had two courses open for him: firstly, retaliation and victimisation of those who had been responsible for his long sufferings in jail and, secondly, a policy of mercy and appeasement for the ultimate betterment and in the interest of the State. of the two, he chose the latter, realising fully well that further bloodshed and victimisation would not be in the interest of the realm. he had the prudence to draw those who had been Yet, at the same time, sympathetic towards him still closer to his person a policy calculated to pay rich dividends. The Policy of Appeasement Though Utkarsha had made an exit from the political scene, Vijayamalla was still there and had. gained some popularity amongst the masses as well as the officials for siding with the cause of Harsha. Yet there was a little uncertainty about the future

- 341 conduct of the prince in the mind of Harsha? The Thakkura guards from Lohara, whose sympathy and loyalty towards him had been tested and proved in the course of earlier events, were brought to his side, presumably as his own bodyguards. This step served a dual purpose with The of providing him a band of trusted men as well as rewarding them for the risk they had undertaken. step also prevented the possibility of any treachery or deceit on the part of Vijayamalla, with whom the Lohara guards were by no means on good terms. Outwardly, the new king was gracious enough to acknowledge publicly king that he owed his life and the throne to Vijayamalla, and offered him a seat near him beside the throne and at the same time, the refractory and inimical elements like Nonaka - to name only the prominent amongst the oppositionists were placed behind the bars? Thus, having brought about political stability in the Valley, he soon embarked upon a policy of administrative reforms so urgently needed to improve the lot of the masses. 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 835-37. 2. Ibid., I, vii, 838-39. 3. Ibid., I, vii, 863-66.

342 The narrative of Kalhana here enters into a critical appraisal of Harsha's character for a proper understanding of the course of subsequent events and Harsha's part in them. The poet himself feels that he was treading a difficult ground? We would, however, prefer to first narrate the course of events during Harsha's regime and then make an attempt to assess his character in the light of both Kalhana's appraisal and his doings at a later stage. Administrative Reforms The The first and foremost task of Harsha was to bring the administrative machinery into some semblance of order. During the long drawn-out family feuds, (it had been subjected to partisan strains) the officers, both high and low, took active part in court-intrigues and neglected their duties towards the people. royal treasury having been depleted because of neglect and acts of misappropriations on the part of those in power, the economic conditions were worse than ever. The first act of the new King was to make himself available to the masses without formality and at all hours He, therefore, hung up bells on the four 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 868 ff.

343 quarters of his palace, which, when tolled or rung by petitioners and complainants, brought their grievances to his immediate notice for redressal Secondly, he was strict in maintaining the dignity of the royal court. All persons were required to attend the court and their duties in suitable attire? Visitors, dignitaries and ambassadors from different lands were received with due ceremony and care and their presents accepted in the traditional style? In the early stages, the chief confidant of the King was Vijayamalla in whom he placed considerable trust, both because of his popularity as well as out of gratefulness towards him? It would appear from the Chronicle that the prince also had a following of his own Harsha seems to have realised very early that any revengeful victimisation of the officers and ministers of his father's time would not prove beneficial for his administration. Accordingly, when things had gradually quietened down, he reappointed most of them on their former posts and also offered new ones to those who deserved these because of their merits. 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 879-80. 2. Ibid., I, vii, 881. 3. Ibid., I, vii, 882. 4. Ibid., I, vii, 884 ff. 5. Ibid., I, vii, 885. 6. Ibid., I, vii, 887-888.

- 344 Thus, Kandarpa was placed in charge of the Gate and Madana at the head of the forces as Commander-in-Chief. Vijayasimha and others were confirmed in their former offices. Persons whose fidelity was, however, doubtful were speedily executed, though the king felt a tinge of regret for this afterwards? Prasastakalasa, however, escaped such a fate and, after release from prison, was restored to his former post? But several other officers, whose conduct had been hostile, were, however, executed with ignominies? The King appointed Sunna as his Chief Minister and offered an equally responsible post in the council of ministers to his (Sunna's) younger brother. Jayaraja, a younger brother of the King and who enjoyed his trust, was placed as the head of the royal chamberlains. This appointment seems to suggest that the King was not without fear for his personal safety Another faithful follower of the king, Dhammata, was also suitably recompensed along with his nephews sons of his two brothers, who had laid down their lives for Harsha earlier

1. R.T I, vii, 889-90. 2. I, vii, 888. 3. I, vii, 892. 4. Ibid I, vii, 896. 5. Ibid I, vii, 897-98.