Indian Antiquary Vol 26

SR No.: 032518
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 232

226 THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[SEPTEMBER, 1897. -
The broadest and best-cultivated part of the Valley of Lohrin lies about 8 miles above Mandi, at ciro. 74° 23' long. 33' 48' lat. The cluster of large villages situated here (distinguished after the tribal names of their inhabitants as T'úntr'vand, Gey'vand, and Dóivand) are jointly known by the name of Lokrin and may be regarded as the centre of the district. Through Loh'rin proper and then through a side-valley descending from the mountains on the N. leads the path to the Tõsinaidan Pass which since early times to the present day has formed one of the most frequented and best routes from the Western Panjab to Kasmir. The importance of this route and the easy communication thereby established explains the close political relations of Lohara with Kaśmir as well as the prevalence of a Kaśmiri population in the present Loh rin.
$1. In examining the main passages of the Rajataraigiņi bearing on Lohara with a view to proving it's identity with the modern Loh'rin, it will be most convenient to follow the order of Kalhana's narrative.
The prominent place occupied by Lohara in the historical events related in Books vii and riii., is chiefly due to the close connection which the marriage of King Kshemagupta with Didda, the daughter of Simharaja of Lohara, established between the royal families of Kaśmfr and Lolara. This union as well as the fact that Simharaja was himself married to a daughter of Bhima Sabi, the mighty ruler of Udabhanda (Vaihand) and Kabul, proves that the territory of the former could not have been restricted to the Lohorin Valley alone. It probably comprised also other neighbouring valleys to the south of the Pir Pantsal such as Bandi, Súran, Sadrún, perhaps also Prûnts itself. Diddå who after the death of Kshemagupta and after disposing of her son and grandsous ruled Kaśnir in her own name (980-1005 A.-D.). adoptod as her successor Samgrâmaraja, the son of her brother Udayarája. Lohara remained in the possession of her nephew Vigraharaja of whom we do not know whether he was a son of Udayaraja or another of Simharaja's numerous sons.
85. Vigraharaja had already in Didda's lifetime appeared as a pretender. After the death of Samgrâmaraja (A. D. 1038) he made a second unsuccessful attempt to seize the Kasmir throne. He marched from Lohara for Srinagar, burnt on the way the Kasmirian frontierstation (dvára), and appeared after two and a half days' hard marching before the capital where he was defeated and slain.?
Vigraharaja's expedition took place soon after the death of Samgrâmaraja which fell at the commencement of the month Åshadla (June-July). At that season of the year the shortest route of the invader lay over the Tās maidan Pass. This, notwithstanding its height (circ. 13,500 feet above sea level), is open for traffic of all kinds from May till November. The practical possibility of covering the distance within the above time was tested by me in 1892 on the tour referred to. Leaving Loh'rin on the morning of the 19th Aagast with baggage animals and load-carrying coolies I reached without ditficulty on the evening of the following day the edge of the Tok#maidan plateau above the village of Drang (see note 7). From there half a day's marcha across the level Valley would suffice to bring one to Srinagar.
Vigralarāja's son and successor Kshitiraja whom we find also mentioned as ruler of Lobara in Billana's Vikramâukadevacharita, resigned his throne in favor of Utkarsha, the grandson of King Ananta and younger brother of Harsha. When Utkarsha on Kalasa's death (A.D. 1089) was called to rule over Kasmir, he united with his new kingdom the territory of Lohara, 10
2 Comp. vi. 176 sqq. and my paper. Zur Geschichte der Canis von Kabul,' Festgruss an R. von Roth, pp. 200 yq.
• See vi. 176 where Sinharaja is called durjánii Loharadinaris dsti; vii. 1300 aud viii. 914 894., where Parnotea (Print) seems to be referred to us within the confines of Lolarn territory, also viii. 1945, 2277. . Comp. vi. 355 ; vii, 1284.
vi. 335 sqq. See vii, 110 sq. The duúra referred to in this passage can be safely, identified with the dra nga or frontier watch-station which was situated on the Kasmir side of the Tô6 maidån Pass above the present village of Drang. It is meationed under the name Karkotadranja in viii, 1997, 2010. Compare my note op iii. 227. Comp. Vikramankad. xviii. 47, 67.
• Comp. Fii, 251 sqq.
2Comp. vii. 703 sqq.