History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v1.c14.s1.7

v1.c14.s1.7

( For the history of Kashmir we have, as for Sind, a reliable history, not indeed written by outsiders, but by a native historian in Sanskrit. Kalhaṇa wrote the well-known Rājatarangiṇī in Śaka 1070 or A. D. 1148. He mentions in the introduction many previous authors on the same subject as Suvrati, Kṣemendra, Nīlamata, Chhavillākara and Helarāja. Unfortunately their works are unavailable at present probably because the Rājatarangiṇī supplanted them, But as Kalhaṇa has given up their versions in several places it would have been most useful for us to see what their version was and how far that version corresponds with other facts and with modern views. However, regret is of no avail and we have to rely upon Kalhaṇa unless it is impossible to do so. Stein who has studied the work most carefully opines that Kalhaṇa's history from our period onward is reliable. Kalhaṇa says he has got his statements verified by grants, inscriptions and other records. He appears to have been a state officer himself. We may, therefore, safely follow him assisted by Hiuen Tsang, Chacha-nāma and such historical data as may elsewhere be available. )