The authentic history of Kashmir begins with Karkota Dynasty which was founded by one Durlabhvardhana during the lifetime of Harshavardhana
Durlabhavardhana, 627-663 A.C.
The throne devolved upon Baladitya’s son-in-law, Durlabhavardhana, who was of humble origin stated to have been the son of a Naga. His family was given to ophiolatory or serpent-worship which had been the prevailing religion of Kashmir from the immemorial. He was the founder of the Naga or Karkota dynasty. Durlabhavardhana of Kashmir is believed to have been really the offspring of the Naga Karkota.
With the establishment of the Karkota dynasty, we reach the firm ground of comparatively aunthentic history. Durlabhavardhana reigned from 627 to 663 A.C. range.The visit of the Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsiang) to Kashmir (631-633 A.C) occurred during the time of this King who accorded a hospitable reception to the Pilgrim.
Durlabhaka, 663-713 A.C.
Durlabhavardhana’s son and successor was Durlabhaka or Pratapaditya II. En pasant Pratapaditya I (169-137 B.C) was a relative of King Vikramaditya and is said to have been brought from abroad by discontented ministers of Kashmir. Durlabhaka ruled for fifty years from 663 to 713 A.C. This was the time of Chinese aggression towards the west, during which Turkistan and western Tibet were conquered and annexed to the ‘Celestial’empire.
Chandrapida, 713-721 A.C.
Durlabhaka’s son, Chandrapida, who came to the throne in 713 A.C., sent an embassy to the emperor of China, from whom he received the investiture of Kingship, becoming a feudatory of the emperor.
Tarapida, 721-725 A.C.
He was succeeded in 721 A.C., by his younger brother, Tarapida, who ended his days in 725 A.c., after a cruel rule of 4 years.
Yasaskara, 939-948 A.C.
The country was harrassed by the oppressions of the nobles and ministers, and save for a short respite that the country enjoyed under Yasaskara’s mild rule of nine years(939-948), utter confusion and anarchy prevailed. Two Kings then come and go in two years.
Reference:
Sufi,G.M.D (1996). Kashmir Under The Mughals. Kashir: Being A History Of Kashmir(pp.49-58) Delhi:Capital Publishing House.
