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The wicked Parvagupta was succeeded by his equally vicious and vainglorious son, Kshemagupta, in 950 A.D. The new monarch had imbibed in him all those evil traits that go with bad upbringing and 4 was much attached to his cups. A vicious circle of wicked persons had formed around him who encouraged him in his licentious habits and, at the same time, lined their pockets at his cost. Gambling, wine and women accounted for his entire day and the learned the venerable were objectsof insult and ridicule at his hands. Quite naturally, such a state of affairs bred discontent among the masses and paved 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vi, 188-43. 2. Ibid., I, vi, 144. 3. Ibid., I, vi, 145-48. 4. Ibid., I, vi, 151. 5. Ibid., I, vi 152 ff. Ibid., I. vi, 153-57. 6. 4.

244 the way for rebellions of which Kshemagupta had a fair share during the period of his rule. The warlike Damaras, who had so often figured as trouble-makers in the history of Kashmir for several centuries, rose into revolt against Kshemagupta under the leadership of Sangrama. The latter was, however, unable to withstand the forces of the king and sought refuge in the Buddhist monastery of Jayendravihara. But Kshemagupta, completely impervious to the heinous monstrosity of his acts, completely burnt down the Vihara after rifling it of its riches including a splended brass-image of the Buddha. Thirty-six villages, that had been donated to Jayandravihara from earlier times, were confiscated and given over to the Khasa ruler, probably Simharaja. As if for atonement of his above sins, he caused to be built a Saiva temple, Kshemagaurisvara by name, out of the ruins and masonry material obtained from the burnt 3 down Vihara. The subsequent fate of the Qamara chief, Sangrama, is, however, not known, though he may be presumed to have perished in the fire. 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vi, 171. 2. Ibid., I, vi, 175. Stein's note. 3. Ibid., I, vi, 172-73.

245 It was about this time that Kshemagupta contracted a matrimonial alliance that affected vitally the course of the history of the Valley in subsequent centuries. King Simharaja gave away his daughter, Didda, in marriage to Kshemagupta and this marriage was of considerable political importance in many ways. Obviously, the Khasa ruler was none else but Simharaja, who ruled from Lohara and to whom Kshemagupta had handed over the 36 villages confiscated from the Jayendravihara. Simharaja had married the daughter to Bhima, the Shahi ruler and Didda was born of this union. Subsequently, the entire Valley passed under the rule of the Loharas after the death of Didda in 1003 A.D., as we shall seen presently. of Didda's Influence It appears from the account of the Chronicle that Didda began to wield considerable influence on Kshemagupta from the very beginning. We must admit of several possibilities: either she was a lady of considerable feminine charms and brains or that Kshemagupta himself attached very great importance to this marriage, as it brought together directly his own line with that of the Loharas and indirectly 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, II, p. 433. 2. Ibid., I, vi, 177-78. 3. Ibid., I, vi, 368.

246 with that of the Shahis. It is also possible that both the hypotheses together accounted for the influence of the queen as is borne out by the fact that Kshemagupta was henceforth nicknamed 'Diddak shema em . This is perhaps also proved by numismatic evidence as coins of Kshemagupta have come to light 2 bearing the letter 'Di' on some of them. Kshemagupta seems to have realized the wisdom of pacifying the home-front as well and also married a daughter of 3 his minister, Phalguna. Unfortunately for him, this marriage disturbed the harmony of his harem and caused considerable misunderstandings and heartburning between the two laies - Didda and Chandralekha. It can easily be surmised that relations between Phalguna and the former would naturally have been far from cordial. The influence of the Shahis through the Loharas can easily be assessed from the fact that Bhima Shahi, also known to us from other sources, built a temple named Bhimakesava at Srinagar. 5 While the affairs of the State had little chance to stablise, Kshemagupta died rather suddenly in 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vi, 177. 2. Cunningham, A., Coins of Medieval India, p. 45; Bamzei, P.N.K., H.K., p. 133. 3. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vi, 179. 4. Ibid. 5. Ibid., I, vi, 178. Stein's note.

247 958 A.D. after having ruled for about 8 years. The late king was excessively fond of hunting and could boast of considerable skill in archery. Though the cause of death is garbed in the supernatural, yet it is apparent that the king, while out for hunting contracted some sort of infection and died of it.