Live JKSSB Health and Medical Education, FAA Exam Target Evaluation Sheets available! Practice Now
Mock Tests

Utpala Dynasty — 855 to 1003 AD

Utpala Dynasty — 855 to 1003 AD

Utpala Dynasty
Figure 1: Utpala Dynasty — frequently tested in JKSSB and UPSC examinations.

1. Introduction

  • Important Source: Kalhan's Rajatarangini
  • Period: 855 - 1003 AD
  • The Utpala Dynasty followed the Karkota Dynasty in Kashmir.
KEY FEATURES

  • The dynasty brought a period of consolidation and prosperity.
  • Kashmir developed in the realms of philosophy, art & letters.
  • Though Vaishnava at heart, Avantivarman worshipped Shiva out of respect for Suyya.

2. Avantivarman (855 - 883 AD)

  • Founder of Utpala Dynasty.
  • A peace loving ruler (no fresh conquest).
  • His rule brought a period of consolidation and prosperity.
  • Kashmir developed in the realms of philosophy, art & letters.
  • Suyya: Prime Minister of Avantivarman.
AVANTIVARMAN AS A BUILDER

  • Founded town Avantipur.
  • Built two temples in Avantipur (one dedicated to Shiva & other to Vishnu).
  • Built Avantieshwara temple.
  • Temple of Shiva (on the eastern bank of Dal lake).
  • Built Sura Matth.
ART & LITERATURE

  • He encouraged learning, art and literature.
  • Extended patronage to Scholars, writers & poets.
  • Gave patronage to Sanskrit, Prakrit & Kashmiri language.
  • In his court: Bhatta Kallata, Kavi Rantanaka (poet), Anandavardhana.
BHATTA KALLATA

  • Founder of Spandashastra branch of Shaivism.
  • Most prominent scholar of Kashmiri Shaivism.

3. Suyya / Sura

  • Prime Minister of Avantivarman.
  • Expert in engineering and irrigation skills.
  • Solved the problem of floods in Kashmir.
WORKS OF SUYYA

  • He regulated the course of Jhelum towards Wular lake.
  • Bed clearing of Jhelum
  • Widening of the river
  • Constructing high embankments on either side of the river
  • Constructed temple of Shiva (on the eastern bank of Dal lake)
  • Built Sura Matth
  • Founded town of Surapur (present day Harpur near Shopian)
  • Founded town of Suyyapur (Modern Sopore)
PRAISES FOR SUYYA

  • Kalhan compared him with four incarnations of Vishnu.
  • M.A. Stein praised him for his advanced scientific outlook.

4. Shankarvarman (883 - 902 AD)

  • Successor of Avantivarman.
  • Son of Avantivarman.
  • Followed the policy of expedition (unlike Avantivarman).
  • Revived the policy of Digvijay with the help of a large army.
  • Built a town of Shankarpura (present day Pattan).
  • Killed during his invasion of Hazara (902 A.D.).

5. Wular Lake & Jhelum

WULAR LAKE

  • Also known as Mahapadam lake.
  • Lalitaditya improved the condition of the lake.
  • Name 'Wular' derived from Sanskrit word 'Ullal' which means 'big jumping waves'.
  • India's largest freshwater lake.
JHELUM (VITASTA RIVER)

  • Also known as Vitasta river.
  • Origin: Verinag
  • Joins Chenab near Phang (in Pakistan).

6. Decline of Utpala Dynasty

  • After the death of Shankarvarman, his wife Sugandha had no experience to rule.
  • This followed a series of weak rulers.
  • Last ruler of Utpala Dynasty: Yashakardeva / Suravarman II
PARVAGUPTA

  • He was the clerk in Yashakardeva's administration.
  • He exploited the people and accumulated a huge wealth.
  • He laid the foundation of the Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir.

7. JKSSB Previous Year Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q1. The Utpala Dynasty was founded by:

  • A) Avantivarman
  • B) Shankarvarman
  • C) Suyya
  • D) Parvagupta

Q2. The Utpala Dynasty ruled Kashmir from:

  • A) 625-855 AD
  • B) 855-1003 AD
  • C) 1003-1120 AD
  • D) 855-902 AD

Q3. Who was the Prime Minister of Avantivarman?

  • A) Kalhan
  • B) Suyya
  • C) Bhatta Kallata
  • D) Anandavardhana

Q4. The town of Avantipur was founded by:

  • A) Avantivarman
  • B) Suyya
  • C) Shankarvarman
  • D) Lalitaditya

Q5. The founder of Spandashastra branch of Shaivism was:

  • A) Bhatta Kallata
  • B) Anandavardhana
  • C) Suyya
  • D) Kavi Rantanaka

Q6. Who solved the problem of floods in Kashmir by regulating the course of Jhelum?

  • A) Avantivarman
  • B) Suyya
  • C) Shankarvarman
  • D) Lalitaditya

Q7. The town of Suyyapur (modern Sopore) was founded by:

  • A) Avantivarman
  • B) Suyya
  • C) Shankarvarman
  • D) Lalitaditya

Q8. Kalhan compared Suyya with how many incarnations of Vishnu?

  • A) Two
  • B) Three
  • C) Four
  • D) Five

Q9. The river Jhelum is also known as:

  • A) Sindhu
  • B) Vitasta
  • C) Ganga
  • D) Yamuna

Q10. The origin of the river Jhelum is:

  • A) Dal Lake
  • B) Verinag
  • C) Wular Lake
  • D) Manasbal Lake

Q11. Wular Lake is also known as:

  • A) Dal Lake
  • B) Mahapadam lake
  • C) Mansabal Lake
  • D) Sheshnag Lake

Q12. The name 'Wular' is derived from the Sanskrit word:

  • A) Wular
  • B) Ullal
  • C) Wulal
  • D) Walar

Q13. Wular Lake is India's largest:

  • A) Saltwater lake
  • B) Freshwater lake
  • C) Brackish water lake
  • D) Artificial lake

Q14. Shankarvarman was the son of:

  • A) Avantivarman
  • B) Suyya
  • C) Lalitaditya
  • D) Durlabhvardhana

Q15. Shankarvarman built the town of Shankarpura, which is present day:

  • A) Sopore
  • B) Pattan
  • C) Anantnag
  • D) Baramulla

Q16. The last ruler of the Utpala Dynasty was:

  • A) Avantivarman
  • B) Shankarvarman
  • C) Yashakardeva / Suravarman II
  • D) Parvagupta

Q17. Who laid the foundation of the Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir?

  • A) Avantivarman
  • B) Shankarvarman
  • C) Suyya
  • D) Parvagupta

Q18. The Avantieshwara temple was built by:

  • A) Avantivarman
  • B) Suyya
  • C) Shankarvarman
  • D) Lalitaditya

Q19. Who praised Suyya for his advanced scientific outlook?

  • A) Kalhan
  • B) M.A. Stein
  • C) Hiuen Tsang
  • D) Alberuni

Q20. The river Jhelum joins Chenab near:

  • A) Srinagar
  • B) Anantnag
  • C) Phang (in Pakistan)
  • D) Baramulla

8. Summary: Utpala Dynasty at a Glance

Ruler/Personality Period Key Achievements
Avantivarman 855-883 AD Founder; peace-loving; founded Avantipur; Avantieshwara temple
Suyya - Prime Minister; regulated Jhelum; founded Suyyapur (Sopore) and Surapur
Shankarvarman 883-902 AD Followed expedition policy; revived Digvijay; built Shankarpura (Pattan)
Yashakardeva - Last ruler of Utpala Dynasty
Parvagupta - Clerk in Yashakardeva's administration; founded Gupta Dynasty
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC

  • Utpala Dynasty: 855-1003 AD; founded by Avantivarman
  • Avantivarman: Peace-loving ruler; founded Avantipur
  • Suyya: Prime Minister; expert engineer; regulated Jhelum towards Wular lake
  • Bhatta Kallata: Founder of Spandashastra (Kashmiri Shaivism)
  • Shankarvarman: Son of Avantivarman; followed expedition policy
  • Wular Lake: Also called Mahapadam lake; India's largest freshwater lake
  • Jhelum: Also called Vitasta; origin at Verinag
  • Parvagupta: Clerk who founded Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir
  • Kalhan: Compared Suyya with four incarnations of Vishnu
  • M.A. Stein: Praised Suyya for advanced scientific outlook
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Utpala Dynasty)

Q1. The Utpala Dynasty was founded by:

Correct Answer: B. Avantivarman was the founder of the Utpala Dynasty and ruled from 855 to 883 AD.

Q2. Who was the Prime Minister of Avantivarman?

Correct Answer: B. Suyya (also known as Sura) was the Prime Minister of Avantivarman. He was an expert in engineering and irrigation skills.

Q3. The founder of Spandashastra branch of Shaivism was:

Correct Answer: B. Bhatta Kallata was the founder of the Spandashastra branch of Shaivism and the most prominent scholar of Kashmiri Shaivism.

Q4. The town of Suyyapur (modern Sopore) was founded by:

Correct Answer: B. Suyya founded the town of Suyyapur, which is modern-day Sopore. He also founded Surapur (present day Harpur near Shopian).

Q5. The river Jhelum is also known as:

Correct Answer: B. The river Jhelum is also known as Vitasta. Its origin is at Verinag and it joins Chenab near Phang in Pakistan.

Q6. Wular Lake is India's largest:

Correct Answer: B. Wular Lake is India's largest freshwater lake. It is also known as Mahapadam lake, and the name 'Wular' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Ullal'.

Q7. Shankarvarman built the town of Shankarpura, which is present day:

Correct Answer: B. Shankarvarman built the town of Shankarpura, which is present-day Pattan. He was killed during his invasion of Hazara in 902 AD.

Q8. Who laid the foundation of the Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir?

Correct Answer: D. Parvagupta was a clerk in Yashakardeva's administration who exploited the people and accumulated huge wealth, laying the foundation of the Gupta Dynasty in Kashmir.

Q9. Kalhan compared Suyya with how many incarnations of Vishnu?

Correct Answer: C. Kalhan compared Suyya with four incarnations of Vishnu. M.A. Stein also praised Suyya for his advanced scientific outlook.

Q10. The last ruler of the Utpala Dynasty was:

Correct Answer: C. Yashakardeva (also known as Suravarman II) was the last ruler of the Utpala Dynasty. After the death of Shankarvarman, a series of weak rulers followed.

You may also like