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Harsha, who was both liberal and broad-minded, ushered in an era which broke through the age-old 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 912-13. 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid., I, vii, 914. 4. Ibid., I, vii, 915. 5. Ibid., I, vii, 916 ff. 6. Ibid., I, vii, 919.

- 347 customs and traditions that had taken roots in the social life of the people of the Valley during the preceding millenium of tyrannical monarchical rule. Thus, we are told by Kalhana that wearing a turban and ear-rings was the sole privilege of the kings. and people who dared to infringe this were punished! He, however, Henceforth, such customary restrictions were withdrawn and the masses were allowed to wear apparel and ornaments of their taste and choice. desired the officers of the court to dress themselves befitting their rank They were also allowed to clothe themselves splendidly with dresses formerly used only by kings? The King seems to have shown special preference for fashions in vogue in Southern India, particularly the Karnata country. He encouraged the use of handy palm-leaf fans, sandalpaste on forehead and daggers by men-folk. Ladies, too, were similarly encouraged in the use of floral ornaments, collyrium, short body-jackets and the typically long nether garments like a lahanga, 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 922-24 (Stein's note). 2. The earlier statement of Kalhana that royal officers on tours were often mistaken for the King himself is relevant in the context of these changes regarding dress, etc. (Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 895).

- 348 commonly used in the South His preference for south Indian styles is also demonstrated by his introduction of a new type of coins (tanka) very similar to the Karnata-coins, as noted by Cunningham Harsha was not only a shrewd and capable administrator, but also a patron of learning. His court attracted hosts of musicians, poets and scholars from far and near? They were suitably and handsomely rewarded and honoured for their learning by conferment of ranks and through favours such as the use of palanquins, parasols and even mounts Kalhana makes pointed reference to the celebrated Kashmirian scholar, Bilhana, who had left Kashmir during the reign of Kalasa and found favour at the court of the Chalukyan monarch, Vikramaditya VI, of Kalyani. That the merits of Bilhana and his works were subsequently recognised in the Valley is obviously hinted by Kalhana No wonder Bilhans, in the words of Kalhana, felt himself 'cheated' even with high honours at the Kalyani court and cherised secretly a desire to return to the land 1. Rajatarangini by Kalhana, I, vii, 926-31. 2. Ibid., I, vii, 926; Cunningham, A., Coins of Med. India, p. 34. 3. H.T., I, vii, 933 ff. 4. Ibid., I, vii, 934. 5. Ibid., I, vii, 935-37.

-349 of his birth? It would thus appear that Kalhana's account here is based on strict historical accounts, as the synchronism between Vikramaditya VI (C. 1076- 1126 A.D.) and the Kashmir rulers, Kalasa (1063-1089) and Harsha (1089-1101) is well-established by both literary and epigraphic evidence. Harsha himself was a composer of no ordinary merits and his patronage of scholars, poets and writers was nothing extraordinary.2