The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.84

v1.c12.84

The necessity of this twofold struggle must have been a terrible strain on the *Śāhis*, and probably largely contributed to bring about the revolution which is described by al-Bīrūnī.³ The last *Turki Śāhi* prince Lagatūrmān was imprisoned by his Brahman Vazīr, Kallār, who founded an independent dynasty which may be conveniently called the *Hindu Śāhis*.⁴ According to al-Bīrūnī, after him "ruled the Brahman kings Sāmand (Sāmanta), Kamalū, Bhīm (Bhīma), Jaypāl (Jayapāla), Ānandapāla, Tarojanapāla (Trilocanapāla). The latter was killed in A.H. 412 (A.D. 1021) and his son Bhīmapāla five years later (A.D. 1026)."⁵ Though al-Bīrūnī makes it clear that the dynasty was destroyed in the first quarter of the 11th century, as a result of the invasion of the Yamīnīs of Ghazna, he does not supply any details about the history of the *Hindu Śāhis*. For this we have to depend mainly on other Muhammadan chroniclers and the *Rājataraṅgiṇī* of Kalhaṇa. The following verses from the latter source which describe the victories of the Kashmirian prince Śaṅkaravarman (*c.* 883-902) appears to have an important bearing on the history of these later *Śāhis*: