LALITADITYA/MUKTAPIDA (724-761 A.D.)

The empire carved out by Durlabhavardhana was about to collapse due to the wrong policies of Tarapida,that Lalitaditya ascended the throne and not only regained the lost prestige of the Karkota dynasty but also extended the borders of his empire beyond the traditional frontiers.

Right from his accession, he adopted the policy of aggrandizement and, in the first instance, subdued all those principalities which had declared themselves independent during the weak rule of his brothers. Next he marched his army towards the kingdom of Kanauj, whose ruler Yasovarman held sway on the fringes of Punjab. After defeating Yasovarman, he led his army towards the Kalinga and subdued all the intervening regions. In his bid to fight Tibetians, he is believed to havetried political alliance with the emperor of China and even deputed his ambassador to the Chinese court but failed to get some support from that country.

Conquests apart, Lalitaditya’s name goes down in the annals of history as good administrator and a capable statesman,rarely found in the men endowed with military genius. He would always spent his leisure time in the company of intellectuals and discussion with them the problems concerning the welfare of his subjects. Development of agriculture was his prime concern, and to achieve this objective, he spent most of the wealth which he amassed during various expeditions, on building new irrigation canals and in the repair of old canals. In order to create employment avenues for his subjects, he spent lavishly on decorating the towns with fine buildings, monasteries, temples and images of gods. The ruins of Martland temple and Parihaspura town still form the most striking architectural remains of ancient Kashmir.

A dispatch, commonly called as “Instrument of Instructions” which Lalitaditya sent from Central Asia to his courtiers for administering the kingdom efficiently shows his administrative prudence and political wisdom. Besides, other things he laid emphasis on keeping close and vigilant watch on the people living in the frontier areas of the kingdom. He believed in frequent movement of troops and fortification of empire. He was against the frequent social intercourse of the grandees of the empire.

The glorious reign of about 37 years (724-61 A.D.) came to an end with the death of Lalitaditya but the cause of his death is shrowded in mystery.According to Kalhan, the great king either perished in snow in a country which in modern times is called Iran or committed suicide after getting separated from his army during an expedition to Central Asian Countries.

The two sons of Lalitaditya namely Kualapida and Vajraditya and grandsons Prathiviyapila and Sangramapida, ascended the throne of Kashmir ,one after another but proved to be weak kings and failed to maintain the power and prestige of the dynasty. The empire tumbled as a result of court intrigues till Jayapida grandson of Lalitaditya, occupied the throne of Kashmir in 722 A.D and did a lot to regain the lost prestige and glory of Karkota dynasty.