The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.194

v1.c13.194

Taking advantage of the anarchical condition of the land, the Ḍāmaras gradually 'became overpowerful.' In the next two years of his reign Harṣa was engaged in an unceasing struggle against this landed aristocracy. Kalhaṇa gives vivid details of the king's ruthless policy against these barons of Kashmir, who at this period appear to have mostly belonged to the tribal division of the *Lavanyas*. "Wherever the king took his abode, there the people formed wide-spreading triumphal garlands with the horrible heads of the *Lavanyas*." Driven out by the angry king, "some of them ate cow's meat in the lands of the *Mlecchas*, others lingered on by working water wheels, land mills, and the like." When he had exterminated the Ḍāmaras in Maḍavarājya, Harṣa hurried to Kramarājya. The barons of this place however banded together and for a time offered effective opposition to his generals.¹ When things were in this desperate condition, Harṣa committed a grave blunder which ultimately caused the loss of his life and throne. I have already referred to the bravery of Uccala and Sussala in the disastrous retreat from Dugdhaghāta. Though they had done nothing against the king, Harṣa was led to harbour suspicions against them. But being warned of the murderous intentions of the king by a friendly courtesan, the brothers effected their escape from the city in A. D. 1100. Uccala fled to Saṁgrāmapāla, king of Rājapurī, while Sussala betook himself to the court of Kalha, the ruler of Kāliñjara.'² Kalhaṇa tells us that these two princes were 'through Jassarāja, Guṅga, and Malla, the fourth direct descendants from Kāntirāja, the brother of Diddā and uncle of king Saṁgrāmarāja of Kashmir.'³ The futile attempts of Harṣa to capture them only increased their importance, and the disorganised Ḍāmara rebels soon found in them not only capable leaders but also successful pretenders for the throne of Kashmir. Urged by the oppressed barons, Uccala in 1101 A.D. entered Kashmir through the Tosªmaidān route. The Ḍāmaras and Khāśikas from the mountains at once joined him from all sides. In the language of Kalhaṇa · "Masses of Ḍāmaras issued forth from all regions, just as bees from the holes in the ground when the snow melts." Uccala formed a junction with the barons of Kramarājya and occupied Parihāsapura. Here however he was attacked and defeated by Harṣa, and escaped with great difficulty. It was after this victory that Harṣa broke up the 'glorious' silver image of Viṣṇu Parihāsakeśava. But he foolishly failed to take prompt steps for the pursuit of Uccala who soon began to reorganise his forces.¹ In the meantime a new danger appeared in the south. Aided by the chief of Kāliñjara, Sussala entered Kashmir through the Pir Pantsāl route, and, being encouraged by messages from his father, attacked and captured the watch-station of Śūrapura. With the wealth thus obtained, he raised sufficient troops, and, after defeating the governor Paṭṭa, rapidly advanced on the capital² While Harṣa was trying to check Sussala in Maḍavarājya, Uccala again advanced with his Ḍāmara bands. As the barons accompanying him were mostly on foot, he avoided the plains, where the king was strong in cavalry, and taking a difficult mountain path suddenly appeared in Lahara (mod. Lār). In the south however Sussala was for a time successfully checked by the brave Candrarāja, the king’s newly appointed Commander-in-chief. After advancing as far as Advantipura, Candrarāja surprised and killed the *Kampaneśa* of Sussala. But in the north Harṣa’s troops were defeated by Uccala, who on his way to Śrīnagara received the *Abhiṣeka* from the assembled Brahmans of Hiraṇyapura (mod. village of Raṇyil on the way to Srinagar from Lār).³