The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.211

v1.c13.211

The account given above proves that Uccala was an able and vigorous ruler. But he had also his faults. Among his vices Kalhaṇa notices his ‘jealousy of noble bearing, valour, intelligence, firmness and youth’ of those around him. On account of this fault he is said to have ‘destroyed the honour and life of numberless men.’ Kalhaṇa also blames his harshness: he openly discussed “the defects of his servant’s descent, conduct, personal appearance, and the like.” He was so fond of personal combat amongst his soldiers and officers that “women, when their husbands returned alive after going to the royal palace, thought that they had gained a day, but otherwise never felt safe. When the king saw soldiers killed who had glistening black hair, fine beards and splendid apparel, he felt delight instead of pain.”² But much of this conduct is doubtless to be explained by the difficult conditions under which he had to work to build the royal power, and the necessity for ever wakeful cunning to destroy the rampant tendencies of rebellion and corruption. His policy finds justification in the repeated invasions of pretenders and the intrigues of his officers, which constantly disturbed his reign, and in one of which he met an untimely and violent death. Sussala, the king’s own brother, for whom he had repeatedly shown ‘tender regard’ was the first to rise against him. Suddenly issuing out of the Tosᵃmaidān Pass with a mobile force, Sussala ‘rapidly moved like a falcon.’ But Uccala was on his guard. With the assistance of the Ḍāmara Gargacandra he defeated his brother in several sharp engagements and drove him towards the land of the Darads. Kalhaṇa makes it clear that it was again from affection for his brother that Uccala did not capture Lohara after this victory. Sussala with great difficulty, and after many months’