The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.181

v1.c13.181

Harṣa began his rule by wisely retaining many of his father's State officials. Vijayamalla, to whom he owed his throne, was specially honoured by him, while Jayarāja, his younger brother, who was placed at the head of the whole host of Chamberlains became 'to him more than his life.' Kandarpa was placed in charge of the gate, while Madana received the chief command of the army. In order to make himself accessible to the humblest of his subjects at all time he hung up "at the palace gates (*siṁhadvāra*)...great bells in all four directions, to be informed by their sound of those, who had come with the desire of making representations.¹ These arrangements for a time worked well, and the position of the king became gradually consolidated. Kalhaṇa makes it amply clear that the first part of the reign of this prince was eminently successful. Thus even when the powerful Vijayamalla became disaffected and raised the standard of treason, he was driven out of the country and compelled to take shelter in the land of the Darads, where he perished in an avalanche.² The king's arms were equally successful in foreign war. Thus Saṁgrāmarāja, "the proud lord of Rājapurī," who had become unfriendly was defeated by Kandarpa after a severe contest and compelled to pay tribute. Soon after this success Jayarāja and Dhammaṭa, another relative of the king, 'who was lusting for the throne,' formed a treacherous design to kill the king. The plot however came to the knowledge of Harṣa, who by his diplomacy and intrigue not only frustrated the conspiracy but also effected their destruction. But these plots by his brothers and relations whom he held so dear and whom he had given no cause of complaint, seem to have gradually embittered his character, and he soon after executed with the sword and hangman most of his relatives, including "Domba, the elder of the two sons of Utkarṣa, whom he had himself brought up."³