The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.219

v1.c13.219

That very night Raḍḍa with his bloodstained sword and armour ‘placed himself on the throne, where he appeared like a Vetāla on a stone of the burning ground.’ He assumed the name of Śaṅkharāja, but he and the conspirators were soon defeated by the powerful Dāmara Gargacandra of Lahara, who killed Raḍḍa with many of his fellow conspirators. Finding no one fit for the throne, Garga consecrated as king Salhaṇa, a step-brother of Uccala (1111 A. D). Kalhaṇa notices the nobility of the character of Gargacandra, who, though requested, refused to seat himself on the throne.¹ Sussala, when he heard of his brother's tragic death at once marched with a slender following for Kashmir by way of Kāṣṭhavāṭa. But Gargacandra opposed him, and after destroying his followers, compelled him to take to flight. Sussala escaped and after crossing many passes rendered difficult by heavy falls of snow again regained his kingdom. After this Gargacandra 'obtained exceptional power' over the king, and became the dictator in the State. Salhaṇa had "neither political wisdom, nor valour, neither cunning nor straightforwardness, neither liberality nor greed. Nothing prominent in his character." He with his brother Lothana passed his days in low sensual pleasures, while 'robbers plundered the people in his very palace, even at midday.' For a time Gargacandra acted the king-maker, but he was soon attacked by rival barons with the king's connivance. Thereupon he formed a league with Sussala. The latter, in spite of this alliance, distrusted Gargacandra and took adequate precautions before he marched out again for Kashmir. When he appeared in the valley and gained some preliminary success "all except the king (Salhaṇa) joined him." The citizens and the Dāmaras vied with each other in offering him welcome, while Chuḍḍā, Gargacandra's wife, presented him with her two daughters. Salhaṇa was then besieged in the palace, and after a brief struggle captured and imprisoned, when he had only reigned for 4 months less 3 days (1112 A.D).²