The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.161

v1.c13.161

The tragic death of his parents had a magic effect on the character of Kalaśa. ‘Taking an oath by sacred libation,’ he effected a reconciliation with his son Harṣa, and induced him to come back to the city ‘with his grandparents’ treasures.’ Kalhaṇa tells us that at this time “there arose in the king a righteous disposition, a legitimate care for wealth which altogether removed his poverty.” As the king began to “look after the country as a householder after his house, no one among the people felt misery.” After establishing internal stability with the assistance of able officers like Vāmana, Kandarpa, and Vijayasimha, and founding many temples and pious endowments,² the king then turned his mind to foreign conquests. Taking advantage of a civil war between Saṁgrāmapāla, the minor prince of Rājapurī, and his uncle Madanapāla, he effectively intervened in the affairs of that state and re-established Kashmir's supremacy over its prince, Uraśā, which was unsuccessfully invaded by his father, was next attacked. His general Malla with a small cavalry force crossed the Kishen Ganga, and carried off “king Abhaya's kingdom with his herds of horses.” The result of this vigorous foreign policy of Kalaśa was seen in the year 1087-88, when there appeared in the king's court the following princes: “Kīrti, the ruler of Baddhāpura (?); Āsaṭa, king of Campā; Kalaśa, lord of Vallāpura; Saṁgrāmapāla, lord of Rājapurī; Utkarṣa, Lohara's ruler; Saṅgata (?), king of Uraśā; Gāmbhīrasīha, chief of Kānda; and Uttamarāja, the ruler of Kāṣṭhavāṭa.”³