The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.222

v1.c12.222

The *Sāhis* though destroyed as a reigning power in the Punjab, appear to have lingered for some years in the hilly districts south of *Lohara* (Lohkot of the Muslim chroniclers),¹ under the leadership of Bhīmapāla.² Some of Maḥmūd's later invasions in this direction may have had the destruction of this last remnant of the *Sāhis* as one of their objectives. According to al-Bīrūnī, Bhīmapāla was killed in A.D. 1026.³ The *Sāhi* princes then took shelter in the Kashmirian court and took a prominent part in the history of the Loharas (1003-1128 A.D.). Kalhaṇa mentions "*Rudrapāla* and other *Sāhi* princes" (*Sāhiputrāḥ*) who were most dear to king Ananta (1028-63 A.D.) and "exhausted the kingdom's revenues by the large salaries they drew.''¹ One of these, "Diddāpāla, though he drew daily 80,000 (dīnnāras) from the king, could yet not sleep in peace at night." Another, Anaṅgapāla "(that) Vetāla, who was the king's favourite, was ever planning the breaking up of the golden statues of gods. Rudrapāla protected those, who robbed (others) of their property and lives, and was a safe refuge for thieves, Caṇḍālas and the like. *Kāyasthas*, who were Rudrapāla's intimates, oppressed the people," while through his companionship, "the king was led into evil habits, just as Suyodhana, through that of Karṇa."²