The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.145

v1.c13.145

After a general epidemic of death had removed Rudrapāla and a large number of *Śāhi* princes, Ananta gradually came under the influence of his able queen Sūryamatī, who bore the second name of Subhaṭā. Kalhaṇa mentions various pious foundations of this queen. To the vicinity of one of these, the shrine of Sadāśiva, the royal couple transferred their residence after the death of their son Rājarāja.⁵ In the meantime the king had not given up his extravagant ways, which he had learnt from the *Sāhis*. His attachment for foreign jesters, and fondness for horses and other foreign luxuries involved him in heavy debts. One of his creditors, Padmarāja, a foreign trader, for some time held even the royal diadem as security for his debts. We are told that "in every month on the day of the solemn reception, these emblems of regal dignity were brought from his house to be used in the royal assembly." Kalhaṇa incidentally informs us that through this man, the Paramāra king, Bhoja (*c.* 1010-1055 A.D.) arranged for the regular supply of water, from the sacred spring of Kapaṭeśvara in Kashmir to Mālava. This reveals the interesting fact that in spite of the political isolation of Kashmir due to its mountain barriers and the conquest of the Punjab by the Muslims, there was still regular intercourse between Kashmir and the other Hindu States of Northern India.¹