The Lohara Dynasty of Kashmir

The Lohara dynasty of Kashmir was a medieval line of kings who ruled the Kashmir valley in the north of the Indian subcontinent for roughly three centuries, from around the early eleventh century into the fourteenth, in two historic phases generally known as the first and second Lohara dynasties. The dynasty took its name from Lohara, a hill principality in the ranges near Kashmir from which the ruling family is traditionally said to have come. It is remembered chiefly through the famous Sanskrit chronicle, the Rajatarangini of Kalhana, which records the rulers of Kashmir. Set within the wider history of the dynasties of early and medieval India, such as those traced in our guide to the Gupta Empire, the Lohara line preserved a distinctive heritage, and this account keeps to broadly established history where particular dates and details are uncertain.

Key Takeaways

• The Lohara dynasty of Kashmir was a medieval line of kings of the Kashmir valley.
• It ruled in two historic phases, the first and second Lohara dynasties.
• The dynasty took its name from Lohara, a hill principality near Kashmir.
• It is remembered chiefly through Kalhana’s Sanskrit chronicle, the Rajatarangini.
• It was succeeded, in time, by later rulers and the medieval Kashmir sultanate.

Read on for the history, culture, and legacy in detail.

Quick Facts

Who Were the Lohara Dynasty of Kashmir?

The Lohara dynasty of Kashmir was a medieval line of kings who ruled the Kashmir valley for roughly three centuries, traditionally dated from around the early eleventh century into the fourteenth. The dynasty took its name from Lohara, a hill principality in the ranges near Kashmir from which the ruling family is generally said to have come. The Lohara kings succeeded the earlier dynasties of the valley and presided over Kashmir through a long and eventful period of its medieval history, recorded in detail by the chronicler Kalhana. Their rule is generally divided into two phases, known as the first and second Lohara dynasties, separated by a period of turbulence. As the ruling line of the Kashmir valley through these centuries, the Lohara dynasty holds an important place in the history of medieval northern India, and its story, drawn chiefly from the Rajatarangini, is treated here in broad terms where the particulars are uncertain.

Where Did the Name Lohara Come From?

The name of the Lohara dynasty came from Lohara, a hill principality in the ranges near the Kashmir valley from which the ruling family is traditionally said to have originated before it came to rule Kashmir itself. Lohara is generally identified with a fortified hill tract in the mountains to the west or south-west of the valley, in the Pir Panjal country, though the precise identification is a matter for specialists and is treated here with appropriate care. The hill principality of Lohara gave the dynasty both its name and its ancestral base, and the connection between the hill country and the valley shaped the early fortunes of the line. The fort of Lohara is remembered in the chronicles as a stronghold associated with the dynasty. The origin of the name in the hill principality of Lohara is central to understanding the roots of the dynasty that came to rule the Kashmir valley in the medieval period.

What Is the Rajatarangini?

The Rajatarangini is the famous Sanskrit chronicle of the kings of Kashmir, composed by the poet and historian Kalhana in the twelfth century, and it is the chief source for the history of the Lohara dynasty. Its title is generally rendered as the river, or stream, of kings, and it recounts the succession of rulers of the Kashmir valley across the ages, drawing on earlier records and traditions. The work is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable early historical writings of the subcontinent, notable for its narrative sweep and its attention to the deeds and failings of the kings. For the Lohara period, the Rajatarangini provides a detailed account of the rulers, their courts and the troubles of the kingdom. In keeping with careful practice, the substance of the chronicle is paraphrased here rather than quoted. The Rajatarangini remains central to all study of the Lohara dynasty and of medieval Kashmir.

How Did the Lohara Dynasty Rise to Power in Kashmir?

The Lohara dynasty rose to power in Kashmir, by the broadly recorded account, through the connection between the hill principality of Lohara and the royal house of the valley, which brought the Lohara line to the throne as the earlier dynasty came to its close. A central figure in this transition is the queen traditionally known as Didda, associated with the house of Lohara, whose long influence over the affairs of the kingdom is generally held to have bridged the old dynasty and the new. Through this connection, a prince of the Lohara line is recorded as having succeeded to the throne of Kashmir, founding the dynasty that would rule the valley for centuries. The precise details of this transition are drawn from the Rajatarangini and are treated here in general terms. The rise of the Lohara dynasty marked the beginning of a long and eventful chapter in the medieval history of the Kashmir valley.

Who Was Queen Didda?

Queen Didda is remembered in the chronicles as a powerful figure of the Kashmir valley whose influence is generally held to have bridged the earlier dynasty and the Lohara line. Associated by tradition with the house of Lohara, she is recorded as having wielded authority over the affairs of the kingdom for a long period, first through her connection to the ruling house and later in her own right, before the succession passed to a prince of the Lohara line. The Rajatarangini presents her as a determined and formidable ruler, and her career is treated by the chronicler with the mixture of admiration and criticism that marks his account of many sovereigns. The particulars of her reign are drawn from the chronicle and are treated here in broad terms. Queen Didda holds an important place in the story of the transition to the Lohara dynasty, standing at the hinge between the old order and the new in medieval Kashmir.

Who Founded the Lohara Line of Kings?

The founding of the Lohara line of kings in Kashmir is traditionally associated with a prince of the house of Lohara who succeeded to the throne of the valley through the connection with Queen Didda, as recorded in the Rajatarangini. This ruler is generally held to have inaugurated the dynasty that took its name from the hill principality of Lohara, establishing the line that would hold the Kashmir valley through the centuries that followed. The early rulers of the dynasty presided over the kingdom through periods of both stability and difficulty, as the chronicle records. Because the detailed sequence and dating of the early Lohara kings are matters for specialists and are drawn from the chronicle, they are treated here in general terms rather than asserted with false precision. What is broadly clear is that the Lohara dynasty was founded through the union of the hill house of Lohara with the throne of Kashmir in the early medieval period.

What Were the Two Phases of Lohara Rule?

The rule of the Lohara dynasty over Kashmir is generally divided into two phases, known as the first and second Lohara dynasties, separated by a period of turbulence in the valley. The first phase covers the earlier Lohara kings who held the throne from the dynasty’s founding, presiding over the kingdom through a long stretch of its medieval history. This phase is generally held to have ended in a period of crisis and disorder, after which a new branch of rulers, still associated with the Lohara line, established what is known as the second Lohara dynasty. The second phase carried the dynasty onward through further reigns, including the period in which the Rajatarangini itself was composed. The division into two phases reflects the troubled continuity of Lohara rule, marked by changes of branch and by the recurring difficulties of the kingdom. Understanding these two phases is central to following the long history of the Lohara dynasty in Kashmir.

How Was the Kingdom of Kashmir Governed under the Loharas?

The kingdom of Kashmir under the Lohara dynasty was governed from the valley by the king and his court, supported by ministers, officials and the powerful landholding class of the kingdom. The chronicles describe a court of considerable sophistication, with its officers of state, its ceremonies and its intrigues, set against the backdrop of the fertile and populous Kashmir valley. A recurring feature of the period was the influence of the landed magnates, generally known as the damaras, whose power in the countryside often challenged the authority of the throne. The administration drew its revenue chiefly from the agriculture of the valley, famous for its rice and its waters. The balance between the king, the court and the powerful landholders shaped the political life of the kingdom throughout the Lohara period. The governance of Kashmir under the Loharas, as recorded in the Rajatarangini, reveals both the strength and the instability of the medieval kingdom of the valley.

What Challenges Did the Lohara Kings Face?

The Lohara kings faced recurring challenges that the Rajatarangini records in detail, chief among them the power of the landed magnates, the damaras, whose revolts and ambitions repeatedly troubled the throne. The kingdom also contended with factional strife at court, disputed successions, fiscal difficulties and, at times, the burdens placed on the people by hard-pressed or oppressive rulers. These internal troubles, rather than external conquest, form the dominant theme of the chronicle’s account of the Lohara period, which presents a kingdom often divided against itself. The valley’s relative isolation among the mountains gave it a measure of protection from outside powers, but did not spare it from the strains of its own politics. The challenges faced by the Lohara kings, as recorded by Kalhana, illustrate the difficulties of holding the medieval kingdom of Kashmir together, and they are a central part of the dynasty’s eventful history in the valley.

Who Was King Harsha of Kashmir?

King Harsha is among the most vividly remembered rulers of the first Lohara dynasty, presented in the Rajatarangini as a sovereign of notable gifts whose reign is recorded as ending in difficulty and disorder. The chronicle traditionally portrays him as a cultured and accomplished king, associated with learning, the arts and a brilliant court, whose later reign is nevertheless remembered as troubled, marked by fiscal strain, unrest and the alienation of his subjects. The account of Harsha is treated by the chronicler with the characteristic mixture of admiration and censure, and the particulars of his reign are drawn from the chronicle and paraphrased here rather than quoted. His fall is generally held to mark the close of the first Lohara dynasty, opening the way to the period of turbulence that preceded the second. King Harsha of Kashmir stands as one of the memorable figures of the Lohara period, embodying both the achievements and the instability of the dynasty.

What Was the Culture of Kashmir under the Loharas?

The culture of Kashmir under the Lohara dynasty was heir to the valley’s long and rich tradition of learning, drawing on its reputation as a celebrated centre of Sanskrit scholarship, literature and the arts. The period is associated with the composition of important Sanskrit works, of which the Rajatarangini of Kalhana is the most famous, and with the continuing traditions of poetry, philosophy and the sciences cultivated in the valley. The courts of the Lohara kings, for all their turbulence, were settings for learning and the patronage of scholars and poets. Kashmir’s heritage in art and architecture, shaped over earlier centuries, continued to form part of the cultural landscape of the kingdom. The valley’s distinctive blend of traditions gave the Lohara period its particular cultural character. The culture of Kashmir under the Loharas, remembered above all through the great chronicle it produced, forms an important part of the heritage of medieval northern India.

What Was the Religion of the Lohara Period?

The religion of the Lohara period in Kashmir was chiefly Hindu, with the Shaiva traditions, devoted to Shiva, holding a prominent place in the devotional life of the valley, alongside the worship of other deities and the continuing presence of Buddhism, which had long flourished in Kashmir. The valley was a celebrated centre of religious and philosophical learning, associated with important traditions of Shaiva thought that developed in the region. The kings and their courts are recorded as patrons of temples and shrines, and the religious life of the kingdom was woven into its culture and its politics. The chronicles describe the devotional foundations of rulers as well as the occasional despoiling of temples in times of fiscal crisis. The coexistence of Shaiva Hindu and Buddhist traditions gave the valley its distinctive religious character. The religion of the Lohara period, treated here with neutral respect, forms an important part of the heritage of medieval Kashmir.

How Did the Second Lohara Dynasty Fare?

The second Lohara dynasty, established after the turbulence that closed the first, carried the line onward through further reigns in the Kashmir valley, as recorded in the later books of the Rajatarangini. Its early rulers are associated with efforts to restore order after the disorder that had gripped the kingdom, though the recurring troubles of the realm, especially the power of the landed magnates, continued to press upon the throne. The chronicle was itself composed during this period, in the reign generally associated with King Jayasimha, whom Kalhana records in considerable detail. The second Lohara dynasty thus holds a special place in the history of the chronicle, for it provided the setting in which the great work was written. The fortunes of the second dynasty, like those of the first, were marked by the long struggle between the throne and the forces that challenged it. The second Lohara dynasty forms the later chapter of the line’s long rule over Kashmir.

Why Did the Lohara Dynasty Decline?

The Lohara dynasty declined, by the broadly recorded account, through the long accumulation of the internal troubles that had beset the kingdom throughout its rule, rather than through a single conquest from outside. The recurring power of the landed magnates, the strife at court, the disputed successions and the fiscal and administrative strains of the realm gradually weakened the authority of the throne over the generations. After the period covered by the Rajatarangini, the dynasty is generally held to have continued in a weakened form before giving way, in the fourteenth century, to new rulers and ultimately to the establishment of the medieval sultanate of Kashmir. The precise sequence of the dynasty’s final decline is drawn from the chronicles and later traditions and is treated here in general terms. The decline of the Lohara dynasty brought to a close the long era of rule recorded by Kalhana, and opened a new chapter in the history of the Kashmir valley.

What Came after the Lohara Dynasty in Kashmir?

After the Lohara dynasty, the Kashmir valley passed, in time, to new rulers and ultimately to the establishment of the medieval sultanate of Kashmir in the fourteenth century, which marked a major turning point in the history of the region. The period between the close of the Lohara line and the firm establishment of the sultanate is generally recorded as one of transition, with short-lived rulers and shifting fortunes, before the new order took hold. The rise of the sultanate brought lasting changes to the political and cultural life of the valley over the centuries that followed. The transition from the Lohara dynasty to the later rulers and the sultanate is a central episode in the medieval history of Kashmir, and the particulars are drawn from the chronicles and later records and treated here in broad terms. What came after the Lohara dynasty forms the bridge between the age recorded by Kalhana and the later history of the Kashmir valley.

The Lohara Dynasty Today

The Lohara dynasty is remembered today chiefly through the Rajatarangini of Kalhana, the great Sanskrit chronicle that preserves the detailed record of its kings and their eventful rule over the Kashmir valley in the medieval period. For readers of Indian history, the dynasty offers a remarkable example of a medieval kingdom whose story survives in unusual detail, thanks to a chronicler of rare ambition, and its history illuminates the politics, culture and religion of the Kashmir valley across three centuries. The hill principality of Lohara, the figure of Queen Didda, the troubled reign of King Harsha and the reign of Jayasimha in which the chronicle was written remain among the memorable episodes of the period. The heritage of the Lohara dynasty endures as part of the long and layered history of Kashmir. The Lohara dynasty of Kashmir thus holds a lasting place in the study of medieval northern India through the chronicle it inspired.

Sources & Further Reading

• Archaeological Survey of India (asi.nic.in).
• Ministry of Culture, Government of India (indiaculture.gov.in).
• Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu and Kashmir (jktourism.jk.gov.in).

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Lohara dynasty of Kashmir?

The Lohara dynasty of Kashmir was a medieval line of kings who ruled the Kashmir valley for roughly three centuries, from around the early eleventh century into the fourteenth, in two phases known as the first and second Lohara dynasties. It is remembered chiefly through Kalhana’s Sanskrit chronicle, the Rajatarangini.

Where did the Lohara dynasty get its name?

The Lohara dynasty took its name from Lohara, a hill principality in the ranges near the Kashmir valley, generally identified with a fortified hill tract in the Pir Panjal country, from which the ruling family is traditionally said to have come before it rose to rule Kashmir itself.

What is the Rajatarangini?

The Rajatarangini is the famous Sanskrit chronicle of the kings of Kashmir, composed by Kalhana in the twelfth century. Its title is generally rendered as the river of kings, and it is the chief source for the history of the Lohara dynasty and of medieval Kashmir.

Who was Queen Didda?

Queen Didda was a powerful figure of the Kashmir valley, associated by tradition with the house of Lohara, whose long influence over the kingdom is generally held to have bridged the earlier dynasty and the Lohara line, before the throne passed to a prince of the Lohara house.

Who was King Harsha of Kashmir?

King Harsha was among the most vividly remembered rulers of the first Lohara dynasty, portrayed in the Rajatarangini as a cultured and accomplished king whose later reign is recorded as troubled. His fall is generally held to mark the close of the first Lohara dynasty.

What came after the Lohara dynasty?

After the Lohara dynasty, the Kashmir valley passed in time to new rulers and ultimately to the establishment of the medieval sultanate of Kashmir in the fourteenth century, a major turning point in the history of the region after a period of transition.