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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
BUDDHISM IN KASHMIR
years from the 3rd century A.C. The Turki Sāhis were supporters of Buddhism, and so the religion must have prospered under their rule. It must have been sometime after the disappearance of this royal family that Mihirakula came to the throne of Kashmir and massacred the Buddhists. Towards the end of his life, Mihirakula became a worshipper of Siva and established pious observances in the lands occupied by the impure Daradas, Bhautțas and Mlecchas” (I. 312-6). Mihirakula's son recompensed his father's cruel acts by restoring some of the ruined temples and monasteries.
Narendrāditya Khinkhila and Pratāpāditya Baka was followed a few generations later by Narendrāditya Khinkhila (I. 347). There are a few coins bearing the legends Deva Sahi Khingila, Sri Narendra establishing the historicity of this king. Narendrāditya was a worshipper of Siva and made endowments for the Brahmanas. He was succeeded by his son Yudhisthira I. The people of Kashmir deposed him and brought Pratāpāditya, a relative of Vikramāditya, from outside and placed him on the throne (II. 5). This new line of rulers worshipped Siva, the last king of the dynasty being Tunjina.
layendra and Samdhimat Tunjina was succeeded by Vijaya belonging to a different family. Vijaya's son Jayendra had a long and glorious reign excepting that it was stained by the attempt to kill his very popular minister Samdhimat who ultimately ascended the throne of Kashmir. Samdhimat ruled for a long time, built Siva temples and practised Saiva-sādhanās. His end was also unhappy, as he was compelled by the people to retire.
Meghavāhana Meghavāhana, a descendant of Yudhisthira I, was brought by the people from Gandhāra and placed on the throne (III. 2). He
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