GOPALA VARAMAN (902-904 A.D)

The new king during his tenure of two years, showed his eagerness to do something for his subjects but his plans were frustrated by his regent mother.Sughanda and her paramour minister Prabhakardeva,in whose hands the real power rested. The king’s death provided an opportunity to Sughanda and her paramour to install Sankata on the throne of Kashmir but he also died after a brief stay of ten days on the throne of Kashmir. Thereafter, Sughanda assumed the royal power and ruled Kashmir from 905-06 A.D. when she was captured by Tantrns (a warrior tribe) and kept in captivity for a long time and finally died in 944 A.D.

A distressing aspect of Kashmir history during last two decades of 9^th century and early years of 10^th Century was the ever-growing danger of military groups like that of Tantrins and Ekangads, who somehow or the other manipulated the succession of the rulers of their choices of the throne of Kashmir.The kings were always busy in mustering support for themselves. The courtiers remained divided and very often changed their loyalities. The attempt of queen Sughanda to nominate her successor was foiled by courtiers when, with the help of Tantrins, they installed Partha (906-21 A.D) a ten years old lad on the throne of Kashmir. During his reign a severe famine occurred and thousands of people died of starvation. Kings father namely Nirjitawarman(921-23 A.D) exploited the situations and with the help of Tantrins managed the dethronement of his son and himself occupied the throne of Kashmir. He ruled for two years only and died after nominating his child son Chakrvarman (C 923-33 A.D) to the throne of Kashmir. He also ruled the country for insignificant ten years. Suffice to mention here that the period between 933-938 A.D., was the period of chaos and confusion and when the princess manoeuvred, through foul means their accession to the throne. The rulers did not care for the welfare of there subjects rather were busy in raising bands of armed personnel. Finally the courtiers and the nobles with the blessing of Brahmans, over-threw the dynastic rule of Utpalas and elected Yasaskara, the son of Prabhakardeva who was treasurer during Gopalavarman’s rule, as their king.