The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.174

v1.c13.174

Harṣa, as we have seen, was imprisoned by his father. Attempts were made to poison him in prison even by his own immoral wives. But thanks to the vigilance of his personal servant Prayāga, he kept himself alive with the food secretly brought by him. When Utkarṣa became king he transferred his brother to a more closely guarded prison and refused to allow him to go abroad.³ In the meantime the administration of the new king met with increasing opposition. "Miserly like a *Śrotriya* and of mean character in his actions, he was not liked by the people, who are eager to have masters of large minds." The opposition found a capable leader in the king's step-brother Vijayamalla, who was disaffected for not receiving his promised daily allowance from the greedy king. Joined by Jayarāja, another son of Kalaśa, and some Ḍāmaras, he defeated the king's troops and besieged him in his palace at Śrīnagara. The ostensible object of the attack was to release Harṣa. Though Utkarṣa soon realised that the death of Harṣa would undermine this danger, his delay and vacillation, Harṣa's tact and the vigour of Vijayamalla's attack all conspired to save Harṣa's life. Released by his younger brother to effect a compromise with Vijayamalla, Harṣa boldly seized the throne by taking advantage of the confusion prevailing in the palace. The rumour of Harṣa's coronation spread like wildfire, and "made the councillors assemble from all sides, as the thunder of the clouds attracts the *cātaka* birds." Utkarṣa was imprisoned and soon after committed suicide by cutting the vital arteries of his throat with a pair of scissors. He died in his 24th year (1089 A.D.) after a reign of only 22 days.¹