Rajadom of Kashmir

The Rajadom of Kashmir
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[[]] [[]] state flag coat of arms
[[]] map of Kashmir
Capital	Srinigar
Provinces with Capitals
???	???
???	???
???	???
Government	constitutional monarchy
Head of State	His Royal Highness ???
Head of Government	???
Demonym	Kashmiri
Religions
Official	Hinduism
Other	Buddhism
Languages
Official	Kashmiri
Other	Nepali
Founding	596
Independence	???
Area	??? km² ??? mi²
Population (2001)	???
Ethnicities	??? ?% ??? ?% ??? ?% ??? ?%
Currency	1 Himalayan Rupee (Rs) = 20 sukaa (?) = 240 paisa (?)
Time zone	CET UTC+6:00
Telephone Code	?
Registration
Aviation	KSH
Amateur radio	KSH
Radio prefix	KSH
Organizations	Himalayan Confederacy
Sports
Official	???
Other	???

History

Timeline

Dates in italics print are points of departure.

Karkota Dynasty, 596-857

Order	Name	Date(s)	Relationship	Notes
1)	Durlabhavardhana	596
2)	Durlabhaka	632

• Karkota Dynasty, 596-857
  • 1) 596 Durlabhavardhana
  • 2) 632 Durlabhaka
  • 3) 682 Chandrapida
  • 4) 682 Tarapida
  • 5) 695 Muktapida Lalitaditya
  • 6) 732 Kuvalayapida S5
  • 7) 733 Vajraditya Bappiyaka S5
  • 8) 740 Prithivyapida I S7
  • 9) 744 Sangramapida S7
  • 10) 751 Jayapida S7
  • 11) 782 Jajja
  • 12) 785 Lalitapida S10
  • 13) 797 Prithivyapida II S10
  • 14) 804 Chippatajayapida
  • 15) 816 Ajitapida GS7
  • 16) 831 Anangapida S13
  • 17) 848-857 Utpalapida S15

• Utpala Dynasty, 857-939

18) 857 Avantivarman 19) 884 Shankkaravarman S18 20) 903 Gopalavarman S19 21) 905 Samkatavarman S19 22) 905 Sugandha W19 23) 907 Nirjitavarman (1) BGS18 24) 907 Partha (1) S23 923 Nirjitavarman (2) 25) 924 Chakravarman (1) S23 26) 935 Suravarman I S23 936 Partha II 936 Chakravarman (2) 27) 936 Sambhuvardhana 28) 938 Unmattavanti 29) 939. Suravarman II

Hindu Kings, 939-1338 30) 939 Yahakaradeva 31) 948 Samgramadeva I S30 32) 949 Parvagupta 33) 950 Kshemagupta S32 34) 958 Abhimanyu S33 35) 972 Nandigupta S34 36) 973 Tribhuvana S34 37) 975 Bhimagupta S34 38) 980 Didda W33 39) 1003 Samgramaraja N38 40) 1028 Hariraja S39 41) 1028 Ananta S39 42) 1063 Kalasa S41 43) 1089 Utkarsha S42 44) 1089 Harsha S42 45) 1101-12 Uchchala 46) 1111-12 Salhana B45 47) 1112 Sussala B45 48) 1120 Bhikshachara GS44 1121-28 Sussala 49) 1123-31 Jayasimha (1) S47 50) 1131 Lothana B45 51) 1131 Mallarjuna S47 1132 Jayasimha (2) 52) 1155 Paramanuka S49 53) 1165 Vantideva S52 54) 1172 Vuppadeva 55) 1181 Jassaka B54 56) 1199 Jagadeva S55 57) 1213 Rajadeva S56 58) 1236 Samgramadeva II S57 59) 1252 Ramadeva S58 60) 1273 Lakshmanadeva S59 61) 1286 Simhadeva 62) 1301 Suhadeva B61 63) 1320 Rinchana Sadr-ud-Din H65 64) 1323 Udyanadeva H65 65 1338. Kotadevi D62

• 250 B.C. - The Buddhist Mauryan emperor Ashoka rules Kashmir; founds old city of Srinagar; gives the Valley to 500 Buddhist monks under Majjhantika.
• 653 – King Gonanda I begins his reign.
• - After the death of Ashoka, his son Jaluka ascended the throne of Kashmir
• - and was succeeded by his son King Damodar II.
• Jaluka was a great king who cleared the valley of oppressing 'Malechas', ( foreign unclean tribes).
• - King Damodar
• - 813-850 King Ajatapida.
• - 855-883 King Avantivarman
• - 883-902 King Shankaravarman, son of preceding; decline of Utpal dynasty sets in.
• - 1128-1149 King Jayasim
• - The valley for over two hundred years was ruled by Indo-Greek Kings before the start of " Turushka " ( Kushan ) rule in the state.
• - Kalhan's account of Turushka Kings,indicates without any doubt the Kushan occupation of the Valley. The three kings mentioned by him are Huska, Juska, and Kanishka, each of them is credited with the foundation of a town, christened after their respective names : Hushkapura, Jushkapura and Kanishkapura.
• - Kanishka held the third great council of the Buddhist church at " Kundalvan ", (Harwan, near Shalimar garden).
• - Kashmir was the most flourishing centre of Buddhist learning in this period. It was the centre of most powerful Buddhist sect of Northern India known as 'Sarvastivada'.
• - After Kanishka, local weak rulers continued to govern the state.
• - Arrival of Mahir-Gul, the notorious Hun invader of our country.
• - Till the advent of Karkota dynasty (beginning of 8th Century) the Gonanda dynasty gave Kashmir only two notable rulers viz. Meghvahan and Pravansein.
• - The former was a pious and a strong ruler with Buddhist leanings. He stopped killing of animals and birds throughout his Kingdom. In fact, he undertook conquest of many countries solely for the purpose of stopping animal slaughter. His chief queen Amrit Prabha built 'Amrit Bhawan' Vihar for foreign pilgrims and students who came to Kashmir in large numbers for learning.
• - The next great King was Praversein II in whose time people enjoyed perfect peace and prosperity, He was a great conqueror who extended the boundaries of the state in all directions. He has made his name immortal by founding the city of Praverseinpura (modern city of Srinagar), the summer capital of the state at present. Praversein ruled ably for 60 years and is supposed to have directly ascended to heaven while worshipping Lord Shiva in his temple 'Pravesha' now standing in ruins near Hari-Parbat fort.
• - It was during the time of first king of Karkota dynasty, Durlabvardhan that the great Chinese pilgrim, Hien-Tsang visited Kashmir and entered the valley via Varahmulla where he found a huge stone gate. The entry of all outsiders, except the Hindus, was banned in the state then. Hien-Tsang was given a right royal reception by the people including the king. He stayed in Kashmir for nearly two years, studied Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures at the feet of learned men here.
• - It is the Karkota dynasty that has given Kashmir the greatest ruler Lalitaditya Muktapid ( 715- 752 A. D.). He is undoubtedly the Samudra Gupta of Kashmir. He was filled with an unquenchable thirst of world conquest. He invaded and conquered many countries in Asia and India. The Punjab, Kanuj, Tibet, Ladhak, Badakshan, Iran, Bihar, Gauda (Bengal) Kalinga (Orissa), South India, Gujarat, Malwa, Marwar and Sindh were all conquered by him. that Kashmiris observed second of Chaitra, as the day of victory. Lalitaditya was equally a great builder and he built his capital near the sacred shrine of Khir-Bhawani, and gave it the name of Parihaspur (city of pleasure). Throughout the valley, he built very fine and massive temples, out of which the world famous sun temple (Martand) built on Mattan Karewa, reminds us about the granduer and splendour of the times when their builder ruled the state. The extensive ruins of his capital city Parihaspur, speak of his activities in the field of art and architecture.
• - After his death, it is mostly the weak rulers except his grand son Jayatida, who ruled the valley.
• - The history of Karkota dynasty after Jayatida is a sad story of decline. All the conquered territories regained their independence, and the sovereignty of the ruler of Kashmir came to be confined to Vitasta basin. The economic ruin was hastened by the extravagant habits of both the rulers and the ministers.
• It was round about in 855-56 A. D. that Karkota rule ended, and a new Utpal Dynasty assumed power in Kashmir. The most important ruler of this dynasty was Maharaja Avanti-verman. It was he, who recovered Kashmir from utter political and economic disorder. His reign witnessed a period of peace and consolidation and prosperity.The reign of this King would not be complete without the mention of 'Suya' one of the greatest engineer Kashmir produced in ancient times. For centuries the people of the valley had been suffering from the recurring curse of famines and floods. Suya correctly assessed that these frequent calamities occured due to heavy rains and excessive water of Vitasta river which could not easily get out with swiftness, through a gorge near Varahmulla, as the compressed passage there bad got blocked with silt and huge boulders. The people removed both the silt and stones when the great engineer threw plenty of gold and silver coins into the river at many places. Thousands of starving people immediately jumped into the flooded Vitasta and in order to find the coins, cleared the bed of the rocks and boulders which had choked up the passage. Suya, then raised stone embankments, and adopted other protective measures. Many canals were dug-out to increase the irrigational facilities. The result of all these measures was, that a great increase of land became available for cultivation. The production of paddy increased and the price of one Khirwar (nearly two mounds) came down to 36 Dinars from 200 Dinars. Suya's memory is still preserved to this day, by the town Sayapur (Sopore) founded by him at the point where river Vitasta, since his regulation leaves the basin of Mahapadomsar (Wouler lake). Avantivarman died in a temple on the Dal Lake, when a fatal disease caught him, and in the words of Kalhan, " listening to the end to the song of the Lord ( Bhagvatgeeta ) and thinking of the residence of Vishnu (Vaikuntha) he cast off his earthly life with a cheerful mind. " (June 883).
• - In the time of King Yasakara (939-48) a 'Math' ( hospice ) was built for the students of India, who came to Kashmir for study and meditation.
• - In 950, Khemgupta ascended the throne of Kashmir, a man of mediocre ability who married princess Didda, daughter of the ruler of Lohara (Poonch) and grand daughter of the Shahi king of Kabul.
• - After the eclipse of Utpala dynasty, Lohara dynasty ruled Kashmir till the end of the Hindu rule in Kashmir (1339).
• - In 980 Didda ascended the throne after the death of her husband. Before her, two other queens had ruled Kashmir namely Yashovati and Sugandha. She died in 1003 A. D. and left the throne of Kashmir to her family in undisputed succession. As her children had died young, she transmitted the crown to Sangramraj, son of her brother Udairaj, the ruler of Lohara (Poonch). It was during her time, that Mahmud Gaznavi twice tried to capture the valley but the fort at Lohara, remarkable for its height and strength proved impregnable. The Sultan was obliged to abandon the conquest.
• From 1089 to 1101 A. D., King Harsha ruled Kashmir. A record of follies and misdeeds. The people also suffered from famine, and plague as well, and a considerable section of people became victims of these calamities. A confusion followed these misfortunes, leading to a general rising of the people under two royal princes Uccalia and Succalla. Harsha along with his son Bhoja were murdered, and the Kashmir throne passed into the hands of two princes respectively. Both the princes met the fate of Harsha and when our great historian Kalhan completed his 'Rajatarangini' in
• - 1149 - 50 King Jaisimha, the last great ruler of the Hindu times was ruling the state. Jaisimha's (1128-55) early days were critical, because of the preceeding civil wars and political unrest. Still the new ruler was able to maintain his firm rule for 27 years in comparative safety. The King repaired and restored many temples and shrines, and numerous other pious foundations were also made during his reign. The people after a long time heaved a sigh of relief.
• From 1155 - 1339, the Kashmir rulers remained busy only in intrigues, debauchery, and mutual quarrels. These incessant feuds, civil wars, risings and upheavals greatly weakened Hindu domination of Kashmir. The valley soon fell a prey to Mongol and Turkish raiders, free booters and foreign adventurers. Quite naturally, the boundaries of the Kingdom got shrunk, and were reduced to the proper valley only. The Kabul valley Proutonsa (Poonch), Pajapuri (Rajauri) Kangra, Jammu, Kisthwar and Ladhak, one after the other threw-off their allegiance to the rulers of Kashmir.
• Up to 1339 – 21 dynasties (18 native) of Hindus, Jains, Zoroastrians and Buddhists.
• 1332 – invasion by the Turks.
• - In the beginning of 14th century a ferocious Mongol, Dulucha invaded the valley through its northern side Zojila Pass, with an army of 60,000 men. His savage attack practically ended the Hindu rule in Kashmir. A weak and worthless man Raja Sahadev was the ruler then.
• - It was during his reign that three adventurers, Shah Mir from Swat ( Tribal) territory on the borders of Afganistan, Rinchin from Ladhak, and Lankar Chak from Dard territory near Gilgit came to Kashmir, and played a notable role in subsequentive political history of the valley. All the three men were granted Jagirs by the King. Rinchin for 3 years became the ruler of Kashmir, Shah Mir was the first rular of Shah Miri-dynasty, and the decendants of Lankar Chak established Chak rule in the Kashmir.
• - The last Hindu ruler of Kashmir was Udyan Dev. Murdered in 1346. It was his chief Queen Kota Rani, who practically governed the state. She was a very brave lady, shrewd and an able ruler. Though she tried her best to save her Kingdom, odds were too heavy for her. The valley was again invaded by a Mongal and Turk invader Achalla, but the Queen defeated him, and drove away all the foreign troops. In the confusion Rinchin, the Ladhaki prince, whom the Hindu religious leaders of the time refused to admit into their fold, organised an internal rising and seized the throne. Before his death, he embraced Islam. Finally another rising was led by Shah Mir, who defeated the queen at Jayapur (modern Sumbal). The defeat upset her and seeing the indifference of the Hindu grandees and general public, she stabbed herself to death, because Shah Mir wanted to marry her. Her death in 1339 paved the way tor the establishment of Muslim rule in Kashmir.
• 1810 – Jammu regained.
• 1846 – Hindu Dogra dynasty

Government

Provinces (anchal)

Province	Capital	Area	Population	Prefectures	Notes
Mustang	Jomsom	3,573 km²	29,545 (2001)	15	slightly larger than *here's* Luxemburg
Dolpa	Dunai	7,889 km²	(2001)	19	about the size of *here's* Slovenia
Manang	Chame	2,246 km²	9,587 (2001)	14	slightly smaller than *here's* Isle of Majorca

• Thus, the total area of the rajadom is 13,708 km², about the size of *here's* Montenegro.
• The 15 Mustang prefectures are Chhonkup, Lomanthan, Chhoser, Chanang, Sukkang, Dhami, Chhusang, Kagbeni, Jhong, Muktinath, Marpha, Tukuche, Kowang, Junjo, and Lete.
• The 14 Manang prefectures are Fu, Nar, Thoche, Tanki Manang, Khangsar, Bhraka, Nyawal, Gyasu, Manang, Pisang, Chame, Tachi Bogarcchap, Thoche, Dharapani.
• The 19 Dolpa prefectures are Bhijar, Saddang, Tinje, Phoksundo, Dho,Chhenka, Mukot, Sakartana, Dunai, Lawan, Raha, Tripunakot, Likhu, Pahada, Lohai, Kalika, Narku, Rimi, Sarmi.

Geography

Borders

Lo is bordered by on the:

North: Tibet
West: Nepal (Mugu, Jumla)
Southwest: Nepal (Jajarkot)
South: Nepal (Rukum, Myagdi, Kaski)
Southeast: Nepal (Lamjung)
East: Nepal (Gorkha)

The Rajahdom of Lo is contiguous with *here's* Nepali districts of Mustang, Dolpo, and Manang.

Culture

National symbols

• National mammal 1: Kashmir stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu)
• National mammal 2: Leopard (Panthera pardus)
• National bird: Lanceolated jay (Garrulus lanceolatus]
• National flower: common rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum)
• National tree: Himalayan birch (Betula utilis)
• National emblem:
  • For supporters,
  • For a crest,
• National aviation roundel:
• National instrument: Wikipedia:

Lotian holidays

(Dates in italics are postponed)

Date	Name	Notes
14 February	Losar	New Year
21 February	The King's Birthday
28 February	Chotrul Duchen	Butter Lamp Festival (2010 only)
21 March	The King's Birthday	Father's Day
27 May	Suga Dawa Duchen	The Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment, and Parinirvana (2010 only)
21 June	Guru Rinpoche's Birthday
15 July	Chokhor Duchen	The Buddha's First Sermon (2010 only)
24 August	Ulambana	Ancestor Day (2010 only)
23 September	Thri-bab	Blessed Rainy Day (2010 only)
17 October	Dashain	Victory of the Goddess Durga (2010 only)
29 October	Lhabab Duchen	The Buddha's Descent to Earth (2010 only))
6 November	The King's Coronation