Chapter 6
Karmyogi Emperor Avantivarman
(Era of development, prosperity and stability)

The 28-years rule of Awantivarman holds importance in the history of Kashmir so far as peace, development and justice are concerned. Emperor Avqntivarma did not wage any war in this era. Instead of spending time in the battlefields, he concentrated on the development of his empire. While announcing that his aim was to provide happiness to people, he started several schemes for public facilities in the entire state.
 
Right from the beginning agriculture used to be affected by floods and other natural calamities. As a result of food shortage people had to face famines many times. During the time of emperor Lalitaditya some measures were taken to control these natural calamities but such measures bore no fruits except temporary relief. This problem assumed terrible shape during the time of Avantivarman. The state was hit by a severe famine because of food shortage and the miserable people started sending their delegations to Avantivarman.

Background of the River Valley Project

At that time one Suya named competent engineer offered his services to Avantivarman for rooting out the entire problem This engineer visited these catchment areas in the state which would cause floods. In many places landslides would block the flow of the rivers and change their course. The same very water would become source of destruction in the shape of floods in villages and towns. It was necessary to remove these bottle necks.

Avantivarman immediately gave permission to this young engineer to complete this project. Adequate funds were provided for this scheme from the treasury. It is said that Suya collected money into several bundles and threw them, in public sight in the depth of blocked water of the rivers. When famine hit people came to know about it, they jumped into the water to search for the money and collect it by removing the boulders from the river. This way the bottlenecks were removed and the danger of floods ended with the increase in the flow of the river water.

From the above anectode it can be learnt that Suya found solution to this problem through strength of peoples' power. Solid river banks were constructed which systemised the water flow. Several irrigation schemes were completed and reforms in agriculture led to increase in production. As a result of it prices witnessed a big decrease. Through his understanding and calibre Suya achieved success in channelising the flow of river Vitasta (Jehlum). Suya had prepared the background for the current multi-purpose river-valley project many years ago. Avantivarman supported all these national activities. He got no time in engaging himself, like Lalitaditya, in war campaigns because of his preoccupation with the projects connected with peoples welfare and with the all round progress of the country. After Lalitaditya many kings of the regions, conquered by Lalitaditya, declared independence. Avantivarman made no attempt at annexing these regions with his state, though at that time also the army strength in Kashmir was perfect Had Avantivarman concentrated on protection of the borders and on annexation of old areas of Kashmir with his kingdom through war campaigns alongwith his attention towards development works, he would have achieved greater fame than Lalitaditya.

Avantivarmn's emotional mind had a special attraction for natural wealth. That is why there are many instances which speak of his sympathy and love for mountains, rivers, forests, birds and animals. Government orders issued by him and different schemes completed by him give a glimpse of pain hidden in his mind. There was total ban on killings. He had so much hatred for the killers that he would not forgive them. Avantivarman's chief engineer and advisor on irrigation, Suya, had banned angling in the Wullar lake. Under the special orders of the king, hunting of birds and animals was prohibited. It will not be wrong to consider Avantivarman and his expert, Suya, as the main ambassadors of all the projects connected with environment protection in the modern times. Both of them utilised their means and strength in the protection of nature's wealth.

Kalhana has, in his Rajtarangani, made a mention of it. He has written that the fish would come out of the cold water and bask on the river bank without any fear.

Devotee of Art

Avantivarman provided all opportunities and facilities to people for progress in all spheres of development, construction and welfare. He encouraged his friends, relations and members of his council of ministers to join hands in carrying out development works. Prime Minister Shoor built a spacious shur Shiv temple and a lovely shur monestery on the famous bank of the Dal Lake. Avantivarman too supervised construction of several temples and monesteries. The ruins of the two famous temples, Avantishwar and Avantiswamin, built through him, give an introduction of the pinnacles of our ancient glory. Any visitor to Phalgam goes to Avantipur to have a glimpse of these temples.

The plunder and destruction of these unique monuments, memorials and proofs of the Indian culture indicate the nature of the Greek sultans and their evil deeds. These scattered ruins are a living example of the ideology of fanaticism and inhumanity.

A British historian, Percie Brown, has written that when Martand was witness to the sudden glory at a time Kashmir reestablished awakening in its strength. Awantiswamin temple is more attractive and which has been built, with the passage of time, through sound experience.

Successful Diplomat

Awantivarman was an able and successful administrator. This period witnessed some revolts. One rebellion was the result of intrigues engineered by the brothers of Awantivarman and the other by Domar community. Awantivarman achieved success in crushing both the rebellions with the help of his powerful Prime Minister, Shoor. Shoor was powerful besides being a clever politician. When the Damar community started grabbing illegally temple lands, under the leadership of their leader, Dhamar, Prime Minister, Shoor, through the policy of deception finished Dhamar and other conspirators. Shoor assembled all the prominent leaders of Domars in a temple situated at Bhutesh, now Bhuthar and after surrounding them from all the four sides got them killed. For several years after this incident no one dared to glance at the temple.

Mr. Jagmohan has written in his book that from all angles the period of Awantivarman was a period of glory in the history of Kashmir. There was then peace, progress and justice. There was understanding between the king and his ministers. There was awakening about religionism and conservation of nature and interest in high principles of art and culture was their religion. The king's religious inclinations are borne out by the fact that he would listen to the recitation of the Bhagvat Gita when he was confined to bed owing to illness. And while listening to the verses from this holy book he embraced death. Awantivarman was the first Vaishnav king during whose reign Vishnu temples had been built in Kashmir.

King Shankarvarman Conquered Kabul

After Awantivarman his son, Shankarvarman, occupied the throne. He decided to annexe those states which had been conquered during the time of Lalitaditya by restarting the war campaigns which had been stopped during his father's (Awantivarman) time. With this aim he set out with his Army and while conquering small and major states reached Kabul. That time Kabul was ruled by a Hindu king, Lallaya. His people did not support him. Shankarvarman emerged victorious and Kabul came under the control of Kashmir. During the time of Shankarvarman Kashmir became strong politically and militarily. It is worth mentioning here that during the time of Lalitaditya Kashmir had become strong militarily. During the period of Awantivarman Kashmir became strang economically. But during the time of Shankarvarman Kashmir started achieving progress in both the fields.

Shankarvarman got success in establishing direct rapport with the people as a successful politician. Though Sanskrit was the official language at that time, Shankarvarman started talking to people in simple Kashmiri language. Many Brahmin scholars of Sanskrit were annoyed over the patronage and encouragement being given to Kashmiri language but Shankarvarman became a favourite king of the people.

As a result of gaining control over Kabul many influential leaders emerged on the scene in Kabul who challenged Shankarvarman, king of Kashmir. Though both Kabul and Kashmir were completely Hindu regions, it was not easy to gain control over the people of Kabul with arms strength. History is witness to the fact that brave Hindu kings and courageous people of Kabul (Gandhar) faced boldy Arab and other Muslim invaders for 400 years. But they never accepted defeat even for a single day. India could, in this era (663-1021 A.D.), protect its north-west borders.

King Gopalvarman's Strategy

After succeeding Shankarvarman as King of Kashmir Gopalvarman gave a proof of being an able strategist by changing his policies following his understanding of the spirit of bravery and self-respect of the people of Kabul. He sent a group of soldiers, under the leadership of an officer, Prabhakar Dev, to Kabul to pacify the revolt and control the disrupted administrative setup there. After his initial victory Prabhakar Dev thought it better to hold parleys with the king of Kabul, Lallaya. The parleys were successful and under an agreement Tromanna, son of Lallaya, was installed on the throne of Kabul. In the presence of Prabhakar Dev and through his blessings Tromanna's coronation as Kamluk was completed. This way the relations between Kabul and Kashmir became strong. Justice Jia Lal Kilam has written in his book "History of Kashmiri Pandit" that Hindu kingdom of Kabul was very close to Kashmir. Kashmir had religious relations with Kabul. There were also political relations between the two countries which can be witnessed these days.

In this context reference can be made to a great Arabian scholar, Albrooni, who had come to India with Mohd. Gaznavi in the 11th century. He stayed in India for many years and wrote a book on India. In this book he has given a vivid account of the social, political and economic conditions of India of that time. Hindu kings would live in Kabul. The last Hindu (Kshatriya community) king was Lagutarman and one of his ministers was a Brahmin, Kallar. Lagutarman was a person of evil and mean nature. That is why the minister enchained him and occupied the throne. After him Samand, Kamaloo, Bhim, Jaypal, Anandpal and Trilochanpal Brahmin kings ruled Kabul.

During the time of Shakarvarman relations developed between the two royal dynasties of Kashmir and Kabul. The king of Kabul's daughter, Didda, was married to Khemgupt, king of Kashmir. The same king of Kabul, Bhimdev, came to Kashmir to stay for some years and got a spacious Vishnu temple built. This Bhimkeshav temple still exists in village Bumzoo, near Mattan. But now it is a Muslim shrine and is called Bamdin Sahib.