The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.2.2

v1.c13.2.2

Ballāvar).³ The ‘whole tract of the lower and middle hills between the Candrabhāgā and the Vitastā' was known in ancient times as Dārvābhisāra.¹ Generally this region was split up into a number of smaller hill states, the most considerable of which was Rājapurī (mod. Rajauri).² On the north-west of Rājapurī was situated the principality of Lohara, which included the valley now known as Lohªrin. To the west, in the lower valley of the Tauṣī (mod. Tohī) and perhaps extending up to the left banks of the Vitastā, this state was adjoined by the principality of Parṇotsa (mod. Punch).³ For the facility of communication between the Punjab and these hill states and the Kashmir valley nature had provided a number of passes through the Pīr Pantsāl Range. Of these, we have already mentioned the easternmost one, the Bānªhāl Pass, the Bāṇaśālā of Kalhaṇa' which 'owing to its small elevation (9,000 ft.) must have always been a convenient route of communication towards the upper Chenab Valley and the eastern of the Punjab Hill States.' The castle of Bāṇaśālā, which guarded this route, was in the hands of a Khaśa chief in the 12th century. 'About 8 miles straight to the west of the lake Kōnsªr Nāg the range is again crossed by a pass over 14,000 ft. high,' which under the name Siddha-patha (mod. Sidau or Būdil) is mentioned by Kalhaṇa.⁵ 'It lies on a route which in an almost straight line connects Srinagar with Akhnur and Sialkot in the Punjab plain.