Part 1 - Introduction—Ananta and Kshitiraja of Lohara

The Valley of Kashmir witnessed one of its worst phases of political misrule, suspicion, mistrust, intrigues and internecine clashes, during the period immediately following the abdication of Ananta. As stated earlier, Ananta had been goaded by Surysmati to hand over the reins of government to Kalasa and the latter's assumption of office made his parents regret their decision, as shall be presently seen. Also, Kalasa, all through his inglorious reign, had to face the shadow of an impending doom at the hands of his son, Harsha, and other relatives. All these factors usher in an era of uncertainty in which the people were made to suffer most while the officials, ever busy in court-intrigues and changing loyalties, enjoyed at the cost of the masses.

- 305 The day Kalasa was crowned, Ananta was made to realise the folly of his decision by one of his ministers who also told him that such action (abdication) would pinch his feelings every day of his remaining life! The king also seems to have not quite given up his lust for power and, with Haladhara on his side, managed to regain real authority, thereby reducing Kalasa to a nominal figurehead? It appears that, from the very beginning, the ministers had been against Kalasa's assumption of regal office and, by bringing Ananta again into active politics, scored a great diplomatic victory over the supporters of the former? This sudden reversal to the old state of affairs placed Kalasa in a nice predicament; he could neither assert his own authority against the ministers and Ananta nor could he rest content as the titular king Yet, he had the foresight to submit to the wishes of his parents as there was a change of heart for worse even in Suryamati, his most ardent supporter For, the latter, too, seemed to regret her early vociferous support for Kalasa, (and, out of jealousy, treated his 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 235, 237-38. 2. Ibid., I, vii, 240-43. 3. Ibid., I, vii, 244. 4. Ibid., I, vii, 248.

306 wives with contempt, making them realise in no uncertain terms as to who wielded the real authority)? Ananta and Kshitiraja of Lohara Thus, while Ananta was actively looking after the administration, he was visited by his cousin, Kshitiraja, the ruler of Lohara? By a strange irony of fate, he came to Ananta at a time with a problem which must have deeply affected Ananta. Kshitiraja had a son, Bhuvanaraja by name, and the latter was conspiring with the ruler of Nilapura to oust his father (Kshitiraja) 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 248-250. 2. According to Kalhana, Kshitiraja was the son of Vigraharaja, uncle of Ananta (pitrivajo, Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 251). Bilhana, however, makes ka him a brother of queen Suryamati (Vikramadevacharita, XVIII, 47). It is quite possible that Ananta had married his cousin, and both Kalhana as well as Bilhana are correct, as such marriages were not uncommon in those regions as also elsewhere. Kshitiraja and Bhoja Paramara of Dhara are referred to as contemporaries and since Bhoja died in C. 1055 A.D., (Struggle for Empire, p. 67), Kshitiraja seems to have offered refuge and patronage to some poets who sought shelter with rulers of similar disposition. In any case, the contemporaneity of Ananta, Bhoja and Kshitiraja is well established both by Bilhana and Kalhana on the one hand and that of Ananta and Salavahana (Sala of Kalhana) by the epigraphic evidence noted earlier.

307 and usurp the throne! Kshitiraja, too, was determined to renounce his title, yet, at the same time, he was should unwilling that his son, succeed in his evil designs. Soon a settlement was reached between him and Ananta The latter agreed to proclaim and place an infant and second son of Kalasa, on the throne of Lohara and promptly dispatched the child to Lohara under the care of Tanvangaraja, another relative who was very faithful to him? Kshitiraja was thus able to proceed on pilgrimage and died a few years after at Chakradhara Trouble, however, was brewing on the home-front. Once again the haughty Damaras rose in revolt and since the government was dominated by the Queen and her advisers, they (the Damaras) hoped to take advantage of the unsettled state of affairs The Damaras had organised themselves under a one-eyed leader, Sobha by and the Queen, in order to meet this challenge, called Jinduraja, a brave person? The latter was soon able to crush the uprising and killed Sobha, whereupon he was made the Commander-in-Chief and was able to cause fear amongst the petty feudals who were compelled pase, 1. Nothing is known about Nilapura, of Stein's note, Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 253. 2. Ibid., I, vii, 260. 3. Ibid., I, vii, 257-58. 4. Ibid., I, vii, 262-65. 5. Ibid., I, vii, 265-66.

- 308 to pay the royal share of dues somewhat regularly? The aged Haladhara, who had stood fast with Ananta and Suryamati so long, also died at about this time, though not without warning the king to be wary of Jinduraja, whose popularity was growing every day? The king took his words literally and contrived through the Shahi Bijja to cast Jinduraja into prison, thereby inviting fresh troubles through a series of events which he had neither the courage nor the energy to cope with?