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While Sussala had been engaged in settling his own affairs, the royal house of Rajapuri was involved in an internecine warfare. Somapala, the King of Rajapuri, had put his step-brother, Pratapapala to death through his minister; but Nagapala, another brother of Somapala, had killed the minister, thus arousing the anger of the King. Nagapala had there- +after fled for safety and sought asylum at the court of Sussala. Soma pala tried to maintain friendly relations and appease Sussala, but the latter was adamant and 'decided to wage war against him. This naturally compelled Somapala to turn towards Bhiksha chara, the rival of Sussala for help. Thereupon, Sussals led an attack against Rajapuri but Somapala 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, II, viii, 600-01. 2. Ibid., II, viii, 602-16. 3. Ibid., II, viii, 615-20. 4. Ibid., II, viii, 619-20. 5. Ibid., II, viii, 621-22.

407 fled for safety and the King placed Nagapala on the throne. He stayed there for 7 months, and it appears from Kalhana's account that Rajapuri was under military occupation all the time. Yet, despite a few admini trative reforms and respect shown towards some religious institutions by the King, the people of Rajapuri still maintained their attachment for Somapala and could not reconcile to the rule of Nagapala, Sussala's protege. The rule of Nagapala was, however, shortlived, for, immediately after the departure of Sussala, Somapala reoccupied his throne. 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, II, viii, 623-32. 2. Ibid., II, viii, 634-35. According to Kalhana, Nagapala followed Sussala as he had lost his throne, (viii, 634) Neither the circumstances nor the reasons for such a course on the part of Nagapala have been stated by the Chronicler. Several possibilities may have been responsible for it. Perhaps Somapala was able to assert himself immediately after the departure of Sussala and he had_the sympathies of the people of Rajapuri. Also, Sussala's prolonged sojourn at Rajapurl might have offered opportunities for rebellion elsewhere (and in this case there was a serious uprising at Lohara (viii, 641 ff.) which forced Sussala to return to Kashmir). The King was thus unable to offer any protection to his protege, Nagapala. It is also possible that, gradually, Somapala and Bhikshachara had been able to muster sufficient armed strength to measure sword with Sussala and, finding himself insecure at Rajapuri, the King left the place alongwith Magapala. Least probable is the suggestion that Sussala found Nagapala much too incompetent and, tired of spoonfeeding, withdrew his support to him with the result that Nagapala, too, had to flee from Rajapuri. Somapala, as we shall subsequently notice, vigorously championed the cause of (Contd.)