Karkoṭa Empire

Karkota Empire

625 CE–885 CE

Extent of the Karkota Empire during the reign of Lalitaditya Muktapida (8th century), according to Kalhana's Rajatarangini.^[1] Some scholars believe Kalhana exaggerated the conquests of Lalitaditya.^[2]^[3]

Capital

Srinagar(625-724)
Parihaspore(724-760)
Srinagar(760-885)

Religion

Hinduism
Buddhism

Government

Monarchy

Samraat (Emperor)

Durlabhvardhana

Durlabahaka

•

724 CE–760 CE

Lalitaditya Muktapida

Historical era

Classical India

•

Established

625 CE

•

Disestablished

885 CE

Succeeded by

Utpala dynasty

Today part of

Afghanistan

India

Pakistan

Coin of king Vajraditya (Vigraha Deva) of the Karkota dynasty, circa 763-770.

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Ancient Neolithic, c. 7600 – c. 3300 BCE Indus Valley Civilization, c. 3300 – c. 1700 BCE Post Indus Valley Period, c. 1700 – c. 1500 BCE Vedic Civilization, c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE Early Vedic Period Rise of Śramaṇa movement Later Vedic Period Spread of Jainism - Parshvanatha Spread of Jainism - Mahavira Rise of Buddhism Mahajanapadas, c. 500 – c. 345 BCE Nanda Dynasty, c. 345 – c. 322 BCE
Classical Maurya Dynasty, c. 322 – c. 185 BCE Shunga Dynasty, c. 185 – c. 75 BCE Kanva Dynasty, c. 75 – c. 30 BCE Kushan Dynasty, c. 30 - c. 230 CE Satavahana Dynasty, c. 30 BCE - c. 220 CE Gupta Dynasty, c. 200 - c. 550 CE
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Karkota Empire (c. 625 - 885 CE) was a major power from the Indian subcontinent; which originated in the region of Kashmir.^[4] It was founded by Durlabhvardhana during the lifetime of Harshavardhan. The dynasty marked the rise of Kashmir as a power in Northern India.^[5] Avanti Varman ascended the throne of Kashmir on 855 A.D., establishing the Utpala dynasty and ending the rule of Karkota dynasty.^[6]

Lalitaditya Muktapida, the dynasty's strongest ruler captured parts of Central Asia, Afghanistan and Punjab with Chinese help.^[7] According to Kalhana's Rajatarangini, Lalitaditya was able to extend the power of Kashmir beyond the normal mountain limits and in about 740 AD inflicted a defeat upon Yashovarman, the King of Kannauj. Lalitaditya was able to vanquish the Turks, Tibetans, Bhutias, Kambojas and others. According to some historians, Kalhana highly exaggerated the conquests of Lalitaditya.^[2]^[3]

The Karkota emperors were primarily Hindu.^[8] They built spectacular Hindu temples in their capital Parihaspur.^[9]^[10] They however also allowed Buddhism to flourish under them. Stupa, Chaitya and Vihara can be found in the ruins of their capital. Martand Sun Temple in the Anantnag district were built by Lalitaditya. It is the oldest known Sun temple in India and was also one of the biggest temple complexes at the time.^[11]

Martand Sun Temple Central shrine, dedicated to the Sun-God Surya. Built by Lalitaditya Muktapida, it is one of the largest temple complex on the Indian Subcontinent.

Restored impression of temple by J. Duguid, 1870-73

Notes

↑ Wink 2002, p. 243-244.
1 2 Chadurah 1991, p. 45.
1 2 Hasan 1959, p. 54.
↑ Life in India, Issue 1.
↑ Kalhana (1147-1149); Rajatarangini.
↑ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 295. ISBN 978-8122-411-98-0.
↑ Wink 2002, p. 243.
↑ Kamlesh Moza. "Prominent Holy Places in Kashmir".
↑ Animals in stone: Indian mammals sculptured through time By Alexandra Anna Enrica van der Geer. pp. Ixx.
↑ India-Pakistan Relations with Special Reference to Kashmir By Kulwant Rai Gupta. p. 35.
↑ The Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Ancient Kashmir and its Influences.

References

Wink, André (2002), Al-Hind, the Making of the Indo-Islamic World, 1, BRILL, ISBN 9780391041738
Chadurah, Haidar Malik (1991), History of Kashmir, Bhavna Prakashan
Hasan, Mohibbul (1959), Kashmir Under the Sultans, Aakar, ISBN 9788187879497

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