Political history of Kashmir (from A.D. 600�1200)
by Krishna Swaroop Saxena | 1971 | 113,649 words
This essay studies the political History Of Kashmir (from A.d. 600�1200) by reviewing historical periods and analyzing sources like Kalhana's Rajatarangini. The period of the present study saw the rise and decline of dynasties such as the Karkotas, Utpalas, and Loharas, highlighting notable rulers such as Lalitaditya and Jayapida. This period marks...
Part 15 - Uchchala Captures Srinagar
Meanwhile, Uchchala, too, was speeding towards the capital with his force? Sunna, the Prefect of the Police, was secretly in league with him and had sent him word that if he did not hurry up, his younger brother (Sussala) might seize the throne for himself Hardly had the sweat of the previous encounter dried when the royal troops were faced with a fresh and more potent danger. Harsha sent the Town-Prefect, Naga, with the choicest of his men to meet the attack, but the latter showed extreme cowardice and submitted to 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana R.T., I, vii, 1522, 2. 3. Ibid Ibid., I, vii, 1524. Ibid., I, vii, 1525-34. 4. Ibid., I, vii, 1537. 5. Ibid., I, vii, 1539. 6. Ibid., I, vii, 1540.
382 Uchchala without any resistance Approach to the city was possible only through a bridge of boats constructed by the King at a great cost and the possession of the bridgehead was now the crucial point before both the forces? The rebel forces were led by Uchchala and Janakachandra, the Damara chief, while Harsha himself undertook the defence of the bridge? But the royal forces were disheartened and the outcome of the battle was decided when Harsha's elephant, unable to withstand the shower of arrows from the rebels, turned about and fled from the field killing many of the royal troops+ R Till the last-ditch stand of Harsha, the citizens of the capital had exhibited extreme indifference! Perhaps the realisation had dawned upon them that the King's days were numbered. The royal seraglio, led by the Sahi princesses, had burnt itself in the palace of the hundred gates. Bhoja, Harsha's son, fled towards Lohara with a handful of loyal servants to save himself? An orgy of loot and plunder of the royal treasures and the palace followed in which the 1. 2. 3. 4. Ibid I, vii, 1542-45. I, vii, 1539, 1547-49. I, vii, 1547-48. I, vii, 1553-54. 5. Ibid I, vii, 1551. 6. Ibid I, vii, 1552-71.
383 Damaras and citizens vied with each other and even the women-folk from the royal household were carried away by the Damaras? The palace and its adjoining buildings were set on fire and completely burnt down.2