Karkota Dynasty — 625 to 855 AD
1. Introduction
- Karkota Dynasty: Kashmir's 1st independent empire
- Source: Kalhan's Rajatarangini
- This dynasty marked the rise of Kashmir as a POLITICAL Power in Northern India.
- In Kashmir: Karkota Empire
- In India: Pushyabhutis (centre power at Kannauj, U.P.)
- Capital: Srinagar → later shifted to Parihaspora
KEY FEATURES
- Karkotas are also known as Nagas (Serpent Dynasty).
- Emperors called themselves: Samrat or Chakravartin (the king of kings).
- Great supporters of: Art & Architecture.
- Hinduism went alongside Buddhism.
- Harshvardhan was the prominent ruler of Pushyabhutis.
2. Durlabhvardhana (625 - 661 AD)
- Founder of Karkota dynasty.
- Ruled for 35 years (according to Kalhan).
- During his time, Hiuen Tsang visited Kashmir.
- Successor: Pratapaditya.
HIUEN TSANG
- He was a Chinese traveller & a Buddhist scholar.
- Visited Kashmir during the period of Durlabhvardhana.
- Entered the valley via Baramulla (where he found a huge stone gate).
- Stayed in Kashmir for 2 years.
- He studied Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures.
- According to Hiuen Tsang:
- There were large followers of Buddhism in Kashmir. But it was NOT a dominant faith.
- Durlabhvardhana constructed a large number of temples and also land grants were given to Brahmins.
- Hiuen Tsang came to India to describe the interaction between Indian Buddhism and Chinese Buddhism.
- He attended Nalanda university.
- In honour of Hiuen Tsang, Harshvardhan organised the Kannauj Assembly where it is believed that Harshvardhan converted into Buddhism.
NOTE
- Pratapaditya founded the town of Pratappura, now known as Tapar.
- There is a controversy among scholars regarding the exact chronology of the Karkota Dynasty. Some believe Chanderpida was the successor of Durlabhvardhana.
3. Chandrapida (711 - 719 AD)
- Ruler of Kashmir during Arab invasion of Sindh (712 A.D.).
- He asked the Chinese Emperor for aid but China denied.
- He successfully defended his empire against the Arab Aggression.
ARAB INVASION OF SINDH
- Muhammad bin Qasim led the Arab invasion over Sindh in 712 A.D.
- Ruler of Sindh: Dahir
4. Lalitaditya Muktapida (724 - 760 AD)
- Most prominent ruler of the Karkota Dynasty.
TITLES
- The Alexander of Kashmir
- The Samdra Gupta of Kashmir
- The Father of the Kashmiri Hindu Art
KEY FACTS
- 5th ruler of Karkota Dynasty in Kashmir.
- His commander-in-chief: Chankurya.
- Bhavabhuti: Court poet of Lalitaditya.
- He built his capital at Parihaspur.
VICTORIES / CONQUESTS
- Defeated Yashovarman of Kanauj
- Tibetans
- Turks
- The Indus
- Defeated a king of Bengal
- Punjab
- Bihar
- Kalinga (Orissa)
- South India
- Gujarat
- Malwa
- Marwar
- Iran
- Badakhshan
ADMINISTRATION & REFORMS
- He broke the power of Arabs in Sindh.
- He was great in war and peace.
- He reorganised administration.
- He appointed 18 chief officials (or Karamasthans) to run the administration.
- He suppressed the high landed aristocracy (known as Damaras).
- 1st ruler of Kashmir with scientific outlook.
- He cleared the bed of the river Jhelum (which was the main reason for the annual flood).
TOWNS BUILT BY LALITADITYA
- Parihaspur
- Phalapura
- Prontsa (present Poonch)
- Sunschatpura (no trace today)
- Darotpura (no trace today)
- Lalitpur
- Hushakpura (modern Ushkar)
TEMPLES BUILT BY LALITADITYA
- A Vihara in Hushakpura
- Muktakeshav temple (for Vishnu) at Parihaspur
- A temple in Lalitpur
- A tall statue of Buddha (made of copper)
- Martand temple
MARTAND TEMPLE
- Built by Lalitaditya in around 725 - 756 A.D.
- Dedicated to: Lord Sun or Surya
- Location: Anantnag
- Its blend of: Gandhara art + Chinese art + Syrian-Byzantine art + Greek art
- It was originally surrounded by 84 small shrines.
- It is the oldest temple of Sun in India.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Lalitaditya was the fore-runner of Suyya (Suyya was the great engineer of Avantivarman of Utpala Dynasty).
- 84,000 tolas of gold was used to make the image of Vishnu in Muktakeshav temple.
- Sultan Sikander (of Shah Mir Dynasty) destroyed this temple completely in the 14th century.
- 'parihas' = laughter; 'pur' = city
5. Decline of Karkota Dynasty
- Lalitaditya died in 760 A.D.
- A series of weak rulers followed after him.
- Successor of Lalitaditya: Kulyapida
- Last ruler of Karkota Dynasty in Kashmir: Sangrampida
JAYAPIDA
- Poet Damodar Gupta (who wrote Kuttanimatta) was his councillor.
- Court members: Manoratha, Sankhadanta, Chataka, Samdhimat — famous poets/authors.
- Vamana wrote Kashika Vritti — the famous commentary on Panini's grammar.
- The Karkota dynasty declined after Jayapida.
6. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. The Karkota Dynasty was founded by:
- A) Durlabhvardhana
- B) Lalitaditya
- C) Chandrapida
- D) Jayapida
Q2. The capital of the Karkota Empire was later shifted to:
- A) Srinagar
- B) Parihaspora
- C) Anantnag
- D) Baramulla
Q3. Who is known as the Alexander of Kashmir?
- A) Chandrapida
- B) Lalitaditya
- C) Durlabhvardhana
- D) Jayapida
Q4. The Karkota rulers called themselves:
- A) Maharaja
- B) Rajput
- C) Samrat or Chakravartin
- D) Maharana
Q5. The Martand Temple was built by:
- A) Chandrapida
- B) Lalitaditya
- C) Durlabhvardhana
- D) Jayapida
Q6. Martand Temple is located in which district of Kashmir?
- A) Srinagar
- B) Anantnag
- C) Baramulla
- D) Pulwama
Q7. The Martand Temple was dedicated to:
- A) Lord Shiva
- B) Lord Sun or Surya
- C) Lord Vishnu
- D) Lord Brahma
Q8. Who was the court poet of Lalitaditya?
- A) Kalhan
- B) Bhavabhuti
- C) Damodar Gupta
- D) Vamana
Q9. The Karkota Dynasty is also known as:
- A) Naga Dynasty (Serpent Dynasty)
- B) Surya Dynasty
- C) Chandravanshi
- D) Rajput Dynasty
Q10. How many chief officials (Karamasthans) were appointed by Lalitaditya to run the administration?
- A) 12
- B) 15
- C) 18
- D) 20
Q11. The Arab invasion of Sindh was led by:
- A) Muhammad bin Qasim
- B) Al-Beruni
- C) Mahmud of Ghazni
- D) Muhammad Ghori
Q12. Chandrapida successfully defended Kashmir against which invasion?
- A) Arab aggression
- B) Turkish invasion
- C) Afghan invasion
- D) Mongol invasion
Q13. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kashmir during the rule of:
- A) Durlabhvardhana
- B) Lalitaditya
- C) Chandrapida
- D) Jayapida
Q14. Hiuen Tsang entered the Kashmir valley via:
- A) Srinagar
- B) Baramulla
- C) Anantnag
- D) Poonch
Q15. The last ruler of the Karkota Dynasty was:
- A) Jayapida
- B) Kulyapida
- C) Sangrampida
- D) Chandrapida
Q16. 'Kashika Vritti' was written by:
- A) Kalhan
- B) Damodar Gupta
- C) Vamana
- D) Bhavabhuti
Q17. The Karkota Dynasty is described in which source?
- A) Kalhan's Rajatarangini
- B) Nilamata Purana
- C) Kuttinamatta
- D) Vikramanka Charita
Q18. Who was the commander-in-chief of Lalitaditya?
- A) Bhavabhuti
- B) Chankurya
- C) Damodar Gupta
- D) Vamana
Q19. The town founded by Pratapaditya, now known as Tapar, was originally called:
- A) Pratappura
- B) Parihaspur
- C) Lalitpur
- D) Hushakpura
Q20. Lalitaditya suppressed the high landed aristocracy known as:
- A) Nagas
- B) Karamasthans
- C) Damaras
- D) Samants
7. Summary: Karkota Dynasty at a Glance
| Ruler | Period | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Durlabhvardhana | 625-661 AD | Founder; Hiuen Tsang visited Kashmir |
| Chandrapida | 711-719 AD | Defended Kashmir against Arab invasion (712 AD) |
| Lalitaditya Muktapida | 724-760 AD | Most prominent; Alexander of Kashmir; built Martand Temple |
| Jayapida | - | Damodar Gupta (Kuttanimatta) was councillor; Vamana wrote Kashika Vritti |
| Sangrampida | - | Last ruler of Karkota Dynasty |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- Karkota Dynasty: Kashmir's 1st independent empire (625-855 AD)
- Founder: Durlabhvardhana (625-661 AD)
- Capital: Srinagar → Parihaspora
- Known as: Naga Dynasty (Serpent Dynasty)
- Lalitaditya Muktapida: Most prominent ruler (724-760 AD)
- Titles: Alexander of Kashmir, Samdra Gupta of Kashmir, Father of Kashmiri Hindu Art
- Martand Temple: Built by Lalitaditya at Anantnag (oldest Sun temple in India)
- Blend of Art: Gandhara + Chinese + Syrian-Byzantine + Greek
- Hiuen Tsang: Visited Kashmir during Durlabhvardhana's rule
- Muhammad bin Qasim: Led Arab invasion of Sindh (712 AD)
- Damaras: High landed aristocracy suppressed by Lalitaditya
- Karamasthans: 18 chief officials appointed by Lalitaditya
- Kashika Vritti: Commentary on Panini's grammar by Vamana
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Karkota Dynasty)
Q1. The Karkota Dynasty was founded by:
Correct Answer: B. Durlabhvardhana was the founder of the Karkota Dynasty and ruled for 35 years from 625-661 AD.
Q2. Who is known as the Alexander of Kashmir?
Correct Answer: B. Lalitaditya Muktapida is known as the Alexander of Kashmir. He was the most prominent ruler of the Karkota Dynasty.
Q3. The Martand Temple was built by Lalitaditya at which location?
Correct Answer: B. The Martand Temple was built by Lalitaditya at Anantnag. It is dedicated to Lord Sun (Surya) and is the oldest Sun temple in India.
Q4. The Karkota rulers called themselves:
Correct Answer: C. The Karkota rulers called themselves Samrat or Chakravartin, meaning 'king of kings'.
Q5. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kashmir during the rule of:
Correct Answer: B. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveller and Buddhist scholar, visited Kashmir during the rule of Durlabhvardhana and stayed for 2 years.
Q6. The Arab invasion of Sindh in 712 AD was led by:
Correct Answer: B. Muhammad bin Qasim led the Arab invasion of Sindh in 712 AD. Chandrapida was the ruler of Kashmir at that time.
Q7. The high landed aristocracy suppressed by Lalitaditya were known as:
Correct Answer: C. Lalitaditya suppressed the high landed aristocracy known as Damaras. He also appointed 18 chief officials (Karamasthans) to run the administration.
Q8. Who wrote the commentary 'Kashika Vritti' on Panini's grammar?
Correct Answer: C. Vamana wrote 'Kashika Vritti', the famous commentary on Panini's grammar, during the rule of Jayapida.
Q9. The Martand Temple was destroyed by which ruler?
Correct Answer: C. Sultan Sikander of the Shah Mir Dynasty destroyed the Martand Temple completely in the 14th century.
Q10. The capital of the Karkota Empire was shifted from Srinagar to:
Correct Answer: B. The capital of the Karkota Empire was Srinagar and later shifted to Parihaspora by Lalitaditya.