The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c30.s4.53

v2.c30.s4.53

This conflict with his sovereign shows that Harṣa Sīyaka II was also following in the footsteps of his predecessors the Lāṭa-Rāṣṭrakūṭas. But he was more fortunate. The rapid decline of the Rāṣṭrakūṭas of Malkhed soon after the death of Kṛṣṇa III gave him ample opportunities to consolidate his power, and even to strike deadly blows against the inglorious successors of Akālavarṣa Kṛṣṇa. But the destruction of his sovereign's family, to which Sīyaka appears to have materially contributed, indirectly brought him face to face with one of the greatest crises in the history of his family. The Cālukya Taila II, who threw the Rāṣṭrakūṭa Kakka II in 973 A.D., following the traditional policy of the Deccani emperors, at once attacked Lāṭa and established Bārappa as his feudatory there. The Surat grant of the *Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara* Kīrtirāja, Bārappa's grandson, is dated in Śaka 940 (*c.* 1018 A.D.).¹ In the north, Mūlarāja (*c.* 961-96 A.D.), who had established the Caulukya principality at Aṇahilapāṭaka in *c.* 961 A.D., became engaged in hostilities with the Cālukya feudatory of Lāṭa. The newly founded Paramāra principality of Sīyaka II was therefore placed between two millstones. Fortunately for him, the Gurjara-Pratīhāra power also rapidly declined during this period, and thus afforded him an outlet for escaping from a difficult position. He devoted his energies towards expansion in Malwa, from which his father Vairisiṁha II had been driven out by Mahendrapāla II (945-46 A.D.). The almost exclusive association of his successors with Malwa shows the wisdom and success of his policy.