Rājataraṅgiṇī (, ) is a metrical legendary and historical chronicle of the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent, particularly the kings of Kashmir. It was written in Sanskrit by Kashmiri historian Kalhana in the 12th century CE."Rajatarangini" Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2011. Web. 17 December 2011.
List of kings
Book 1 : Gonanda dynasty (I)
The total reign of the following kings is mentioned as 1266 years.
Ruler Notes Gonanda I Contemporary of Yudhishthira, a relative of Magadha's ruler Jarasandha (Jarasindhu) (I.59). He was killed by Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna. Damodara I Killed in a battle by Krishna. Wife of Damodara. She was pregnant at the time of her husband's death, and Krishna helped her ascend the throne. Gonanda II Son of Yashovati and Damodara. Ruled as a minor over Kashmir during the Kurukshetra War. Killed by Parikshit. 35 kings(names lost) A manuscript titled Ratnakar Purana supposedly contained these names and was translated into Persian by the orders of the later Muslim ruler Zain-ul-Abidin. The purported original manuscript as well as its translation are now lost. A Muslim historian named Hassan is said to have obtained a copy of the translation, and later Muslim historians provided a fabricated list of 35 names ending in -Khan.Some sources claim that after Gonanda II was killed, Parikshit handed over Kashmir to his second son Harnadeva. This gave rise to the Pandava Dynasty of Kashmir. Harnadeva lost a succession war against Janamejaya, and so he remained the King of Kashmir. The last ruler was Bhagavanta, who was defeated by Lava in 1752 BCE. Lava A descendant of Gonanda I, who belonged to the Naga Dynasty and defeated King Bhagavanta of the Pandava Dynasty of Kashmir in 1752 BCE. He laid the foundation of the Kashmira Naga Dynasty, a subdivision of the Gonanda Dynasty (I). He established a city named Lolora (Lolab) in Kashmir. According to the Rajatarangini, there were 84 lakh stone-walled houses in it. Kusheshaya Son of Lava Khagendra Son of Kushyendra Surendra Son of Khagendra. Surendra was the first Buddhist king of Kashmir who established the Buddhist culture of Saman culture in Kashmir. Godhara Belonged to a different family from Lava's dynasty (I.95) Suvarna Known for constructing a canal named Suvarnamani Janaka Unsuccessfully invaded Persia Shachinara Died childless Ashoka Great-grandson of Shakuni and son of Shachinara's first cousin. Built a great city called Shrinagara (near but not the same as the modern-day Srinagar). In his days, the mlechchhas (foreigners) overran the country, and he took sannyasa. According to Kalhana's account, this Ashoka would have ruled in the 2nd millennium BCE and was a member of the dynasty founded by Godhara. Kalhana also states that this king had adopted the doctrine of Jina, constructed stupas and Shiva temples, and appeased Bhutesha (Shiva) to obtain his son Jalauka. Despite the discrepancies, multiple scholars identify Kalhana's Ashoka with the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, who adopted Buddhism. Although "Jina" is a term generally associated with Jainism, some ancient sources use it to refer to the Buddha. Jalauka (Jaloka) A staunch Shaivite, who constructed several Shiva temples. He rid the country from the mlechchhas (foreigners, possibly Greco-Bactrians). Damodara II Devout Shaivite. Built a new city called Damodarasuda, and a dam called Guddasetu. Hushka, Jushka, and Kanishka Buddhist kings of Turashka origin (according to Kalhana). The third king is identified with Kanishka of the Kushan Empire. Abhimanyu I A Shaivite during whose reign Buddhists also flourished. Because of the rising Buddhist influence, people stopped following the Shaivite Nāga rites prescribed in the holy text Nilamata Purana. This angered the Nāgas, who heavily persecuted the Buddhists. To avoid this disorder, the king retired. A Brahmin named Chandradeva restored Shaivite rites by worshipping Shiva.
Gonanditya dynasty (I)
The Gonanda dynasty ruled Kashmir for 1002 years.
Ruler Reign Ascension year Notes Gonanda III 35 years 1182 BCE Gonanda III founded a new dynasty. (I.191) He belonged to Rama's lineage, and restored the Nāga rites Vibhishana I 53 years, 6 months 1147 BCE Indrajit 35 years 1094 BCE Ravana 30 years, 6 months – A Shivalinga attributed to Ravana could still be seen at the time of Kalhana. Vibhishana II 35 years, 6 months 1058 BCE Nara I (Kinnara) 40 years, 9 months 1023 BCE His queen eloped with a Buddhist monk, so he destroyed the Buddhist monasteries and gave their land to the Brahmins. He tried to abduct a Nāga woman, who was the wife of a Brahmin. Because of this, the Nāga chief burnt down the king's city, and the king died in the fire. Siddha 60 years 983 BCE Siddha, the son of Nara, was saved from the Nāga's fury because he was away from the capital at the time. He was a religious king and followed a near-ascetic lifestyle. Utpalaksha 30 years, 6 months 923 BCE Son of Siddha Hiranyaksha 37 years, 7 months 893 BCE Son of Utpalaksha Hiranyakula 60 years 855 BCE Son of Hiranyaksha Vasukula (Mukula) 60 years 795 BCE Son of Hiranyakula. During his reign, the Mlechchhas (possibly Hunas) overran Kashmir. Mihirakula 70 years 735 BCE According to historical evidence, Mihirakula's predecessor was Toramana. Kalhana mentions a king called Toramana, but places him much later, in Book 3. According to Kalhana, Mihirakula was a cruel ruler who ordered the killing of a large number of people, including children, women and elders. He invaded the Sinhala Kingdom and replaced their king with a cruel man. As he passed through Chola, Karnata and other kingdoms on his way back to Kashmir, the rulers of these kingdoms fled their capitals and returned only after he had gone away. On his return to Kashmir, he ordered the killing of 100 elephants, who had been startled by the cries of a fallen elephant. Once, Mihirakula dreamt that a particular stone could be moved only by a chaste woman. He put this to the test: the women who were unable to move the stone were killed, along with their husbands, sons and brothers. He was supported by some immoral Brahmins. In his old age, the king committed self-immolation. Vaka (Baka) 63 years, 18 days 665 BCE A virtuous king, he was seduced and killed by a woman named Vatta, along with several of his sons and grandsons. Kshitinanda 30 years 602 BCE The only surviving child of Vaka Vasunanda 52 years, 2 months 572 BCE "Originator of the science of love" Nara II 60 years 520 BCE Son of Vasunanda Aksha 60 years 460 BCE Son of Nara II Gopaditya 60 years, 6 days 400 BCE Son of Aksha. Gave lands to Brahmins. Expelled several irreligious Brahmins who used to eat garlic (non-Sattvic diet); in their place, he brought others from foreign countries. Gokarna 57 years, 11 months 340 BCE Son of Gopaditya Narendraditya I (Khingkhila) 36 years, 3 months, 10 days 282 BCE Son of Gokarna Yudhisthira I 34 years, 5 months, 1 day 246 BCE Called "the blind" because of his small eyes. In later years of his reign, he started patronising unwise persons, and the wise courtiers deserted him. He was deposed by rebellious ministers and granted asylum by a neighbouring king. His descendant Meghavahana later restored the dynasty's rule.
Book 2: Other rulers
No kings mentioned in this book have been traced in any other historical source. These kings ruled Kashmir for 192 years.
Ruler Reign Ascension year Notes Pratapaditya I 32 years 167 BCE Pratapaditya was a relative of a distant king named Vikrmaditya (II.6). This Vikramaditya is not the same as the Vikramaditya of Ujjain, who is mentioned later as a patron of Matrigupta. Jalauka 32 years 135 BCE Son of Pratapaditya Tungjina I 36 years 103 BCE Shared the administration with his queen. The couple sheltered their citizens in the royal palace during a severe famine resulting from heavy frost. After his death, the queen committed sati. The couple died childless. Vijaya 8 years 67 BCE From a different dynasty than Tungjina. Jayendra 37 years 59 BCE Son of Vijaya: his "long arms reached to his knees". His flatterers instigated him against his minister Sandhimati. The minister was persecuted and ultimately imprisoned because of rumours that he would succeed the king. Sandhimati remained in prison for 10 years. In his old age, the childless king ordered the killing of Sandhimati to prevent any chance of him becoming a king. He died after hearing about the false news of Sandhimati's death. Sandhimati alias Aryaraja 47 years 22 BCE Sandhimati was selected by the citizens as the new ruler. He ascended the throne reluctantly, at the request of his guru Ishana. He was a devout Shaivite, and his reign was marked by peace. He filled his court with rishis (sages), and spent his time in forest retreats. Therefore, his ministers replaced him with Meghavahana, a descendant of Yudhishthira I. He willingly gave up the throne.
Book 3: Restored Gonandiya dynasty
Ruler Reign Ascension year Notes Meghavahana 34 years 25 CE Meghavahana was the son of Yudhisthira I's great-grandson, who had been granted asylum by Gopaditya, the king of Gandhara. Meghavahana had been selected as the husband of a Vaishnavite princess at a Swayamvara in another kingdom. The ministers of Kashmir brought him to Kashmir after Sandhimati proved to be an unwilling king. Meghavahana banned animal slaughter and compensated those who earned their living through hunting. He patronised Brahmins and set up a monastery. His queens built Buddhist viharas and monasteries. He subdued kings in regions as far as the Sinhala Kingdom, forcing them to abandon animal slaughter. Shreshtasena (Pravarasena I / Tungjina II) 30 years 59 CE Son of Meghavahana Hiranyaand co-regentToramana 30 years, 2 months 89 CE