Ananta (king)

For other uses, see Ananta.

Ananta or King Ananta, also known as Anantadeva, was a king of Kashmir who reigned for 40 years from 1028 to 1068 CE. He belonged to the Lohara dynasty.^[3][4]

Ananta اننتا دیو 𑆃𑆤𑆤𑇀𑆠𑆢𑆼𑆮𑆂
Reign	1028 - 1068 AD
Died	1068 AD Kashmir
Spouse	Suryamati
Issue	Kalasha
Names Anantadeva
House	Lohara dynasty
Father	Sangrama[1]
Mother	Srilekha[2]
Religion	Hindu

Coronation

At a young age, Ananta succeeded his close relative — who possibly ruled the region for less than a month — on the throne of Kashmir.^[5] According to the Kashmiri historian Kalhana, Ananta's mother, Srilekha, attempted to kill the reigning king to rise to power herself.^[6] However, the Ekanga nobles and royal bodyguards interceded to crown Ananta instead. Srilekha became the regent for the young king.^[7][8]

Administration

King Ananta's administration was well organized when his reign began, but his top officials were corrupt and quickly caused instability in the kingdom. He devoted significant effort to restoring the effectiveness of the existing administration but was unsuccessful, and his failure resulted in the division of the kingdom into many mandalas (modern: divisions). His wife, a wise queen, reformed state finances. This consolidated his power, and as a result, the government was strengthened jointly by the king and his wife. Historians of the 11th century recorded his administration as "always-divided". It is also recorded that his wife removed all dishonest officials and recruited new ones.^[7][9][10]

It has been said that the king was an affectionate person and was known for appointing previous enemies to offices in the Aksapatal (modern: tax collection department).^[11]

Battles and events

Ananta is believed to have won many victories over other kings during his reign, but evidence collected by historians does not yet confirm this.^[12] Tribhuvana was the commander-in-chief of his army, whose forces were largely recruited from damaras. The chief revolted against Ananta and started a war against him. However, the army did not follow Tribhuvana and supported the king instead. Ultimately, Tribhuvana admitted defeat and surrendered himself to the king. Records also contain accounts of Kashmir's conflict with Chamba during the reign of Salavahana (Salakara).^[13] After Ananta killed the latter, the kingdom became his dependency. The Kingdom of Chamba was among nine neighboring kingdoms that were subordinated by Kashmir as a result of Ananta's campaigns.^[13]

Economy

Ananta's wife, Suryamati, had two brothers, but they were believed to be greedy and mercenary. They came to Kashmir where they earned the trust and confidence of the king, but they were always in need of money to support their lifestyles; for instance, they loved chewing betel leaves, which had to be brought from foreign countries at an extravagant cost. They were given charge of the state treasury and managed it poorly. After an interval of some years, the treasury was empty; Suryamati had to rebuild the state's finances by taking charge herself. Eventually, the two princes died and stability returned as evidenced by Ananta's resumed interest in annexing neighbouring territories.^[14]

Personal life

Ananta was married to Suryamati (or Subhata), the daughter of Kangra, who was king of Trigarta in the Kullu region.^[14][15] She was a Shaiva devotee and was known as a patron of many temples.^[16] When her husband committed suicide, she followed him to the grave.

Death

Amanta had a son named Kalasha (or Kalsa) whom Queen Suryamati attempted to place on the throne in 1063. The king proved unwilling to accept this and their relationship suffered as a result, leading to a feud that continued for nearly twenty years. One account states that Suryamati eventually persuaded her husband to abdicate in favour of their son.^[17] In 1063, when Ananta was deposed, his son treated him badly and suggested his father leave the palace and seek shelter in Parnotsa (now Poonch). This shattered the family, leading to Amanta thrusting a dagger through his abdomen and ending his life in 1068 AD.^[18] His wife performed sati, immolating herself on her husband's funeral pyre.^[10]

References

1. Jafri, Saiyid Zaheer Husain (February 10, 2012). Recording the Progress of Indian History: Symposia Papers of the Indian History Congress, 1992-2010. Primus Books. ISBN 9789380607283 – via Google Books.
2. Allie, Dr M. Yaqoob; Dar, Nisar Ahmad (August 5, 2019). Economy of Early Kashmir. Book Bazooka. ISBN 9789386895639 – via Google Books.
3. Raina, Mohini Qasba (November 13, 2014). Kashur The Kashmiri Speaking People. Partridge Publishing Singapore. ISBN 9781482899450 – via Google Books.
4. Singh, Ajay Kumar (February 10, 1985). "Trans-Himalayan Wall Paintings: 10th to 13th Century A.D." Agam Kala Prakashan – via Google Books.
5. Hutchison, Rose (1996). Gazetteer of the Chamba State. Indus Publishing. p. 79. ISBN 978-81-7387-041-5.
6. Mohan, Krishna (1958). Kashmir under the Loharas, A.D. 1003–1171 (PhD diss.). SOAS University of London. p. 38. doi:10.25501/SOAS.00029638.
7. "Kashmir's Fairer Lords". January 19, 2016.
8. "Social political economic and legal position status and role of women in society of early medival[sic?] period in north India 700 A.D. to 1200 A.D." (PDF). INFLIBNET Centre. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
9. Raina, Mohini Qasba (November 13, 2014). Kashur The Kashmiri Speaking People. Partridge Publishing Singapore. ISBN 9781482899450 – via Google Books.
10. Bamzai, P. N. K. (February 10, 1994). Culture and Political History of Kashmir. New Delhi: M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 155. ISBN 8185880328.
11. Kumar, Raj (February 10, 2008). History Of The Chamar Dynasty : (From 6Th Century A.D. To 12Th Century A.D.). Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 9788178356358 – via Google Books.
12. Bingley, A. H.; Cunningham, W. B.; Longden, A. B.; Charak, Sukh Dev Singh (February 10, 1979). "Introduction to the history and culture of the Dogras". Ajaya – via Google Books.
13. Sharma, Mahesh (2009). Western Himalayan Temple Records: State, Pilgrimage, Ritual and Legality in Chambā. Leiden: BRILL. p. 33. ISBN 9789004176935.
14. Tikoo, Colonel Tej K. Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus. Lancer Publishers LLC. ISBN 9781935501589 – via Google Books.
15. Schofield, Victoria (December 31, 1996). Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781860640360 – via Google Books.
16. Singh, Mian Goverdhan (1999). Wooden Temples of Himachal Pradesh. New Delhi: Indus Publishing. p. 122. ISBN 81-7387-094-2.
17. Bamzai, P. N. K. (1994). Culture and Political History of Kashmir, Volume 1. New Delhi: M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 154–155. ISBN 81-85880-32-8.
18. Ahmad, Dr Bashir (February 10, 2003). "Jammu and Kashmir State: Kashmir region". State Gazetteers Unit, Government of Jammu and Kashmir – via Google Books.