Lalitaditya Muktapida
maharaja of Kashmir From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Lalitaditya (originally Muktapida) was an 8th-century king of the Karkota Empire of Kashmir. Most of the information about him and his dynasty comes from the 12th-century writer Kalhan, who credited him of vast conquests and magical powers. He is said to have been built the Martand Sun Temple of Kashmir.
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Early life
The Rajatarangini says Lalitaditya was the youngest son of King Durlabhaka and Queen Narendraprabha of the Karkota dynasty. His mother, Narendraprabha, was earlier married to a foreign merchant who had settled in Kashmir. Lalitaditya had two older brothers, Chandrapida and Tarapida. They ruled Kashmir before him.[1]
Rule
Kalhana says Lalitaditya ruled for 36 years, 7 months, and 11 days. He says Lalitaditya's rule was from 724 to 761 CE.[1] However, this timeline is likely wrong because Lalitaditya's predecessor is known to have sent a mission to the Tang capital, Chang'an, in 720 CE.[2] This predecessor, called "Tianmu" in Tang records, was probably Tarapida. Some think it might have been Chandrapida.[3] Modern historians estimate Lalitaditya's rule to be around 724/5 to 760 CE.[4]
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Military career
Kalhana has given a detailed account of Lalitaditya's military career.[5] However, historians doubt it. They believe only a few of his conquest to be historical.
According to them, Lalitaditya invaded Kannauj, the Kingdom of Yashovarman. He defeated him and captured all of his land.[6]
He also invaded Afghanistan and Punjab region.[7]
Succession
He was succeeded by his son Kuvalayaditya, who ruled from c. 760-761 CE.
References
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