The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.256

v1.c13.256

The period that follows appears to have been and of comparative peace. The administration of Lakṣmaka proved effective, and it was probably at this time that Jayasiṁha undertook the restoration of the many temples and *maṭhas* ruined during the last civil war.¹ In foreign affairs too the king obtained some success. While he effectively interfered in the affairs of the State of Vallāpura, he appears to have maintained friendly diplomatic connections with the Gāhaḍavāla king Govindacandra (*c.* 1114-55 A.D.) of Kanauj, and possibly also with Aparāditya (1138 A. D.), the Śilāhāra prince of Koṅkaṇa.² His attempts to interfere in the affairs of the Daraddeśa, however, involved him in serious difficulties. Viḍḍasīha, the *de facto* ruler of that country, stirred up a serious rising on the northern frontier of his kingdom. Encouraged by him, Loṭhana in 1143 appeared as a pretender, with the powerful support of the Ḍāmara Alaṁkāracakra, Bhoja, a son of king Salhaṇa, and Vigraharāja, a half-brother of Jayasiṁha. But the rebels were soon besieged by the royal army in the castle of Śiraḥśilā, and, thanks to the energy of the minister Dhanya, Alaṁkāracakra was compelled to surrender Loṭhana and Vigraharāja in the spring of 1144 A.D.³ In the autumn of the same year Bhoja escaped from Śiraḥśilā and appeared as a pretender for the crown. He was accompanied by the Darada ruler Viḍḍhasīha and his Muslim (*mleccha*) allies from the Upper Indus valley. The invading army was led by Rājavadana, an able and disaffected officer of Jayasiṁha, and had the support of Trillaka and other powerful barons. While this army advanced from the north to the vicinity of the Mahāpadma, Loṭhaka, the son of Pṛthvīhara, the adversary of Sussala, led another Ḍāmara army from the south. Kalhaṇa in great detail describes the mazes of intrigue and diplomacy by which, aided by the bravery of his trusted officer Rilhaṇa, Jayasiṁha at last extricated himself from this danger. While Rilhaṇa defeated Loṭhaka in the south, Ṣaṣṭhacandra stood like a mountain against the onslaughts of the Daradas, *Mlecchas* and *Turuṣkas*. Fortunately for the king, the invaders in the north became suddenly demoralised after this check and ‘prepared for flight.’ But the country remained in suspense, and it was not till Jyaiṣṭha 1145 A.D., when the mediation of the chief queen Kalhaṇikā led to the surrender of Bhoja, that the incipient Ḍāmara rebellion collapsed.¹ The next few years up to 1149-50 A.D., when Kalhaṇa finished his work, appear to have been comparatively uneventful. It was during this period that Jayasiṁha crowned his young son Gulhaṇa as the ruler of Lohara.² Kalhaṇa mentions numerous pious foundations of the king and his court during these years.³