Lalitaditya Muktapida | |
---|---|
King of Kashmir | |
Reign | c. 724 CE–760 CE |
Predecessor | Tarapida |
Successor | Kuvalayapida |
Spouse | Kamaladevi, Chakramardika |
Issue | Kuvalayapida Vajraditya II |
Dynasty | Karkota Empire |
Father | Durlabhaka |
Religion | Hinduism |
Lalitaditya originally Muktapida was a 8th century King of the Karkota dynasty of Kashmir. Most of the information about him and his dynasty comes from the 12th-century writer Kalhan, who credited him of vast conquests and Magical Powers. He is said to have been built the Martand Sun Temple of Kashmir.
The Rajatarangini says Lalitaditya was the youngest son of King Durlabhaka and Queen Narendraprabha of the Karkota dynasty. His mother, Narendraprabha, was earlier married to a foreign merchant who had settled in Kashmir. Lalitaditya had two older brothers, Chandrapida and Tarapida , who ruled Kashmir before him.[1]
Kalhana says Lalitaditya ruled for 36 years, 7 months, and 11 days. He claims Lalitaditya's rule was from 724 to 761 CE.[1] However, this timeline is likely wrong because Lalitaditya's predecessor is known to have sent a mission to the Tang capital, Chang'an, in 720 CE.[2] This predecessor, called "Tianmu" in Tang records, was probably Tarapida, though some think it might have been Chandrapida.[3] Modern historians estimate Lalitaditya's rule to be around 724/5 to 760 CE.[4]
Kalhana has given a detailed account of Lalitaditya's military career,[5] but Historians doubt it and only believe few of his conquest to be historical
According to them, Lalitaditya invaded Kannauj, the Kingdom of Yashovarman, defeated him and captured all of his Land[6]
He also invaded Afghanistan and Punjab region[7]
He was succeeded by his son Kuvalayaditya, who ruled from c. 760-761 CE