Kashmir Through The Ages (500 B.c To 1967 A.d)

· 1924 · Public domain (published pre-1930) · archive.org ↗

1CHAPTER II

2KALHANA

3Kalhana was probably the son of Canpaka, the great

4Kashmirian Minister under Harsha. Born of a prosperous

5family he took to learning. Brahmin by caste and worshipper

6of Saiva cult, he still admired Buddhism. The chronicle he

7has bequeathed to us is written in verse. The introduction

8was attempted in 1148 — 49 or Saka 1070 and the work was

9completed in the year following. The writings of Suvrata,

10Kshemendra Padmamihara, Nilmatta, Halaraja and Chavila-

11kara must have proved of immense help to him for informa-

12tion about early times.* Kalhana says, "Kashmir may be

13conquered by the force of spiritual merits but not by force

14of soldiers" and it has proved correct.

15It may be that Kalhana has sometimes suppressed and

16sometimes exaggerated things but his delineation of events

17suffers nowhere from dereliction.

18It may be proudly said that while India was poor at

19history at one time it is Kashmir that gave a lead. Many a

20scholar has received inspiration from Kalhana from time to

21time. He cannot distinguish between the legendary and

22genuine elements of tradition.

23The great historian flourished in the twelfth century

24when Jayasinha was the ruler of Kashmir.

25Rajtarangini, his memorable work, will ever continue

26to be a source of great interest to the world's historians.

27This book is unique in the literatures of the world.

28•Unfortunately their works are unavailable at present pro-

29bably because the Rajtarangini supplanted them. But as Kalhana

30has given up their version in several places it would have been most

31useful for us to see what tbeir version was and how far that version

32corresponded with other facts and with modern views. However,

33regret is of no avail. Stein who has studied the work most carefully

34opines that Kalhana** history is reliable. Kalhana says that he has

35got his statement verified by grants, inscriptions and other records.

36We may. therefore, safely follow him assisted by Huien Tsang. Chh-

37achanama and such historical data as may elsewhere be available.

38The study made by R. S. Pandit in his memorable book is also a

39useful guidance — “River of Kings.’*