The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.228

v1.c12.228

The quotations cited above distinctly show that the *Sāhis* during this reign wielded great power at the Lohara court; but they had at the same time degenerated from the noble ideals of their ancestors. But that they were still brave soldiers is illustrated by the repulse of the invasion of the Darads by Rudrapāla who, we are told, cut off the head of the Darad lord and re-established his "awe-inspiring splendour."³ Rudrapāla however soon died of the "*lūtā* disease and other *Sāhi* princes too found an early death."⁴ Their deaths for a time caused the *Sāhis* to lose their power.⁵ But there was again a revival of their influence in the reign of Kalaśa (1063-89 A.D.). Kalhaṇa speaks of "four arrogant *rājaputras* from the *Sāhi* family, Bijja, Pittharāja, Pāja, and another" as his favourites. They are said to have induced the king "to take to a way (of living) which is followed by the wicked."⁶ Some of the queens of king Harṣa (1089-1101) including his chief queen Vasantalekhā are described as *Sāhi* by birth and are said to have burned themselves on a pavilion of the palace, when the doomed king was attacked, at Śrīnagara, by the rebellious Dāmaras.¹ Thus it is evident that the *Śāhis* remained a factor in Kashmirian court life long after their extinction as an independent political power. Their influence, as we have seen, was not always beneficial; but they were always noted for their bravery and military capacity. It is interesting to note that even after their complete extinction in Kashmir a halo and a charm continued to surround the name *Śāhi*. Kṣatriya families outside that country still continued to trace their descent to these princes. Kalhaṇa while describing the reign of Jayasiṁha (A.D. 1128-49) remarks: "To this day the appellation *Śāhi* throws its lustre on a numberless host of Kṣattriyas abroad, who trace their origin to that (royal) family.''²