The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.53.1

v1.c13.53.1

Avantivarman died as a devout Vaiṣṇava in the *Laukika era* 3959 (A.D. 883) at the *Tripureśa* hill (mod. Triphar).³ Soon after his death a civil war began amongst the proud and numerous descendants of Utpala, who all "aspired each and all to the throne." The *Pratīhāra* Ratnavardhana secured by his exertions the kingdom for Śaṅkaravarman, the son of Avantivarman. But the *amātya* Karṇapa raised his cousin Sukhavarman to the status of *yuvarāja*.⁴ The result was a civil war, "during which the kingdom was at every moment as if placed in a swing." Śaṅkaravarman defeated his rival with difficulty, and after fighting many battles with Samaravarman and other rivals, at last secured his position.¹ After consolidating his power at home, he is reported to have undertaken a series of expeditions to recover the foreign possessions which were lost during the weak rule of the later Kārkoṭas. In spite of the beneficial measures during the reign of Avantivarman, Kalhaṇa admits that Kashmir during the period 'had become reduced in population and wealth.' The expeditions of the king which Kalhaṇa describes with so much poetic flourish, and in one of which the king met his death, leaves us in no doubt that the boundaries of the kingdom were again restricted to the Vitastā basin, east of Varāhamūla.