Chapter 5
Brave Emperor Lalitaditya
(Kashmiri sword upto Central Asia)

The name of Lalitaditya, a godly symbol of courage and bravery, has a top place in the history of Kashmir. He is recognised through his 37-year rule, his successful armed campaigns, his strange expertise in war, nnd his desire to become a world conqueror. Continuous fighting without getting tired, remaining busy in battles and achieving success in the battlefield through his unique fighting skill were his qualities which were similar to those of Alexander. Lalitaditya conquered Punjab, Kanoj, Badakshan and Beijing and returned to Kashmir after 12 years. When he set out with his troops for Punjab, the people in Punjab welcomed him with great affection. After dislodging the Punjab ruler, Yashovarman, Punjab was merged with the borders of Kashmir. Lalitaditya expanded his empire to Bengal, Orrisa and Bihar through his armed campaigns. This Army exercise successfully marched ahead to Gujarat, Malwa and Mewar. With these successful armed campaigns, the name of Kashmir and its brave sons became famous not only in India but in the entire world. Great empires bowed their head in front of chivalrous Kashmiris.
 
Victory after Victory

After achieving victory upto the distant south Lalitaditya was attracted to achieve new heights. According to historian, Mazumdar, Lalitaditya concentrated his attention towards the areas in the north after important victories in the south. His empire had been extended upto the remote corner of the mountain range in Karakorums, a highway linking China with India. In the beginning of the 8th century the Arab invasion had started knocking at the door of Kabul valley. During this period the Muslim power in Sindh was trying to match towards the north. When the empires of Kabul and Gandhar were busy in these invasions, Lalitaditya got a nice opportunity for establishing his foothold in the north. He moves, with his victorious army, from Dardistan to Turkey. The entire area was rich in Kashmiri traditions and education because of the efforts of unlimited number of monks and Kashmiri peaple in towns of central Asia. It is not diffcult to understand that Lalitaditya achieved an easy victory in this region. After the end of Teng reign, those states that had come under the Chinese rule had disintegrated because of civil wars.
(R.C. Mazumdar, Ancient India, Page 383).

Kashmir, at that time, was the most powerful state. During the time of Lalitaditya its boundaries had extended from Tibet in the east to Iran and Turkey in the west and from Central Asia in the north to Orrisa and the seashores of Dwarika in the south.

Lalitaditya evinced interest in other spheres besides his army life. Art and trade received importance during his reign. Religious festivals were being held. Lalitaditya provided special facilities and encouragement to paintings and sculpture. He was a successful writer and a Veena player. Bamzai has written that Lalitaditya's war victories have received special place among different accounts of his reign. Later on he was made a hero of Kashmiris. On the basis of his building art, great work connected with human welfare, his love for education, protection to scholars and his image of a kind conqueror Ashoka is considered as the greatest ruler of Kashmir.

Martand Sun Temple: Example of India's Greatest Art

The most memorable and beautiful work of Lalitaditya is the construction of spacious Martand temple which the emperor got built in honour of the Sungod (Bhaskar). It may be mentioned here that Lalitaditya was himself a Kshatriya of Surya dynasty. The style of the construction of the temple and the skill of the makers are rare in the history of the world.

According to Stein, it is not possible to find and excavate cities, towns and the ruins belonging to the era of Lalitaditya. But from whatever material and ruins, found and excavated so far, one learns about the fame of their matter Lalitaditya. The remnants of the big Martand temple, which the emperor had built at the pilgrimage of the same name, is an example of unique building skill of ancient Hindus. These ruins, even in total disarray, receive praises for their design, beauty and art.
(Stein: Translation of Rajtarangani, Page 60)

According to Younghusband Martand has a very high place in the world's great architecutral designs. It is an example of not only the Kashmiri architectural skill but it has pride of having been set up at a fine spot which is prettier than the spots where Parthinan, Taj Mahal, St. Peters have been built. It can be considered either a representative of all such great buildings and monuments or a combination and sum total af all the qualities. It gives an insight into the greatness of the people of Kashmir.

The ruins of the huge temple stand in a square field with snow capped mountains of the smiling valley as the background. In terms of beauty and strength and in grandeur it is next to Egypt and Greece. This temple has been built with strong and square limestones. The temple has received grandeur and beauty through the pillars of Greek pattern. It is now in ruins and there are many such ruins scattered in Kashmir. The very existence of this temple encourages man to carry out study of the skill and art of Kashmiris. Anyone bereft of the love of nature could not select such a special spot for the construction of the temple. A restless and destructive mind would have not been able to built such a spacious and praiseworthy temple.
(Younghusband: Kashmir, Page 201)

Martand temple is a mirror of the art and skill of Kashmiri Hindus. This way Lalitaditya should not be considered a founder of a vast empire but also a founder of art and skill of Kashmiri Hindus for six centuries.

All Embracing Attitude

The society, during the reign of Lalitaditya, was happy and prosperous. There was arrangement for an open trade with almost all the countries in Asia. There were ample facilities for agriculture and many new things were invented. Irrigation was given priority. Lalitaditya got built victory memorials in his honour in foreign lands. There is description of Sunishchitpur and Darpitpur towns in Rajtarangani, even if the ruins of these cities have been plundered by the Muslim invaders. He got built, Phalpur and Parnotsav towns, the former is now Shadipur and the latter Poonch. Lalitaditya built a big temple at Lalitput, which is now Letpora. The emperor built one monastery and a big Buddhist temple at Hushakpur, which is now Ushkar. In the history of Kashmir the Martand temple and Parihaspur town are immortal. Parihaspur is close to Shadipur.
(Kashmir: Gopinath Shrivastav, Page 25)

Emperor Lalitaditya was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Daily worship of Vishnu was an essential part of his life. He was an idealist Hindu. Having faith in Hindu religion he had liberal outlook towards Buddhism. A huge Buddhist monastery was built during his reign. The emperor gifted 84,000 tolas of gold for its construction. This was named as "Raj vihar". What else can be a befitting example of the emperor's equal treatment for all sects and faiths to which he provided equal opportunities.

The Golden Age of Hindu Self-respect

The greatness of Lalitaditya is hidden in his tolerance towards all religions and in his benevolence towards people and conquered rulers. Even while accepting Hindu religion he respected Buddhism and established number of Buddhist monasteries and temples. His army chief was a Buddhist and majority of his officers belonged to different sects. He had respect and equal feeling for scholars of every country. Because of being a supporters and protector of education scholars from India and other countries would come to his court. After the defeat of Yashovarman he brought Bhavbooti and Pakshpatiraj poets from Kanoj to the capital of Kashmir where they were given honour and suitable posts.
(History of Kashmir: Bamzai, Page 124)

Lalitaditya invited known and wise people from abroad to Kashmir. It is learnt from the writings of Albrooni, a foreign historian, that the emperor installed a Turkish Sardar, Kanikuniya, as a minister. Later on the Sardar adopted Buddhism. The practice of holding an annual festival was established in Kashmir from this time. This festival was being held for many centuries in order to commemorate Lalitadity's victory on Turkey. The golden age of Hindu self-respect started in Kashmir with Lalitaditya. Emperor Lalitaditya had become a symbol of greatness and tolerance of Hindu religion.

An account of Lalitaditya's successful war campaigns is given in a letter written by a ruler of Sindh to the first, Muslim invader, Mohd. Bin Qasim. He writes: "If I had sent the ruler of Kashmir, at whose door many Indian kings have bowed their heads, who shakes the whole of India, even Makraan and Turaan countries."
(Gopinath Shrivastav: Kashmir problem and background)

Lalitaditya had opened an embassy in China which was welcomed there. He was a maker of a great empire.

The era of Lalitaditya had brought a message of peace, prosperity and riches. He was tolerant towards all the religion of his time. Everyone enjoyed protection in his reign. Temples of Shiva, Vishnu and other deities were constructed. Kashmir became a centre for foreign scholars and learned people.

An Able Administrator

Emperor Lalitaditya was a unique warrior, victorious, lover of art and literature but he was equally a successful administrator. He did not allow any revolt, civil strife, and communal hatred to grow in his empire. There is no political leader or emperor in the history of the world who can be compared to Lalitaditya.

An awount about "Domar" and "Domars' revolt" has found repeated mention in the political history of Kashmir. Domar people have opposed Government orders and directions while being enoouraged by wealth and power, illegal occupation of Government and private land and creating an atmosphere of anarchy used to be some of their activities. In the initial stage the domar word was used for the tribe of forest dwellers and later powerful sardar would be called Domar. Gradually this word was used for describing that person or a group of persons who would take part in any struggle or rebellion against the administration. Lalitaditya did not allow any rebellion to grow in his rule. Even during his war campaigns outside Kashmir he would keep an eye on such revolts. He gave the following instructions to his ministers during one such campaign.

"It should be kept in view that in the godowns there let be foodgrains for them for not more than one year. For the purpose of ploughilig there should be as many bullocks as are necessary, because if they have more wealth, they would become arrogant Domars and by becoming powerful will not accept the orders of the king."
(Kalhana's Rajtarangani)

After Lalitaditya the rebellion of Domars restarted and there was some sort of anarchy in the administration in Kashmir for some period.

King Jayapeed

Jayapeed was the first king to rule Kashmir for 31 years. He too was considered an expert in war campaigns like Lalitaditya. After assuming control over the entire region upto Prayag, he reached upto Bengal where he married the daughter of king Jayant. Jayant too assisted Jayapeed in his war campaigns. When he returned from his successful war campaigns alongwith his soldiers to Kashmir, the king of Kanoj, Vajrudh, challenged him in the way. Jayapeed defeated him. On his arrival in Kashmir he waged a successful battle against his brother-in-law, Jajaz, who had, while taking advantage of Jayapeed's absence, taken control of the administration in Kashmir.

Jayapeed invaded Nepal also. But he was defeated and arrested. Jayapeed, who was imprisoned in a terrible and fortified fortress, managed to escape with the help of his supporter, Dev Varman. It was because of his unique sacrifice that Jayapeed succeeded in reaching Kashmir.

As a result of Dev Varman's successful plan he succeeded in jumping over the wall of the fortress. But soon after climbing over the wall he had to cross the stream flowing adjacent to the wall. Dev Varman committed suicide and Jayapeed crossed the stream with the help of his dead body.

King Jaypriya

In this category is another well-known and powerful king called Jaypriya. He was, besides a successful battle commander, a scholar. Besides providing manifold facilities for education he made a valuable contribution to spiritual field. There were many poets and philosophers during his period. Vasugupt, a scholar of Shaivism, remained active during this period. A Chinese traveller, Ayukong, came to Kashmir during this time and stayed for fouryears to carry out study of Sanskrit and Buddhism. Ouring this time Kayast community came into being on the strength of its wealth and wisdom. Its conflict and confrontation was with the Brahmin community. Jaypriya sided with Kayast against the Brahmins. Jaypriya had to embrace death by being a victim of the conspiracies hatched by the Brahmins.