The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.209

v1.c12.209

In the passage quoted above Kalhaṇa vividly describes the great personal bravery of Trilocanapāla. The battle took place on the banks of the river *Tauṣī*, which is probably the *Tohī* of Prunts (*Parṇotsa*=mod. Punch) flowing into the Vitastā above the town of Jhelum.² Stein has shown that ‘‘through the valley of the Prunts Tohī leads the most convenient route toward Lohara (Lohᵃrin). From there again, a route much used in old times, leading over the Tosᵃmaidān Pass opens access to Kashmīr. It is actually by this route that we find two years later Maḥmūd attempting the invasion of Kashmīr.’’ ³ Trilocanapāla appears to have strongly entrenched himself on this mountainous route, and apparently advised Tuṅga to do the same, ‘‘keeping (himself) idle.’’ The account of ‘Utbī shows that Maḥmūd could not gain any decisive advantage over the *Śāhi* so long as he remained ‘‘entrenched behind stones.’’ It was only when the Indians ‘‘descended from their narrow passes into the open plain’’ that the Gaznavids ‘‘picked them up like a bird picking up grains with a sharp beak.’’ ⁴ Thus the statement of Kalhaṇa, that the battle was lost owing to the overbearing assurance and carelessness of Tuṅga who refused to occupy a safe defensive position assigned to him by the experienced *Śāhi*, appears to be borne out by the Muslim chronicler.