The era of Growth, Opulence and Stability (855-883 CE)
Karmyogi Emperor Avantivarman’s era would be recognised in history, as period of Development , Affluence and Perpetuity. It was peaceful time prompting growth and justice.
In these entire 28 years, King Avantivarman hardly fought battle and concentrated his energy and time in initiating progress work. He made Common Man Welfare Proframmes as his priority and goal.
The Kashmir valley always faced tumultuous disturbances due to natural calamities like floods etc, hence the agriculture and related activities suffered a great deal. People were perpetually victim of famine and floods.
Emperor Lalitaditya Muktapida did attempt various measures to overcome such difficulties but they turned out to be momentary and not long lasting.
The similar complications engulfed the state during King Avantivarman’s rein. As the agricultural production had declined drastically, people faced cute shortage of food grains.
Once when the region was immersed in the flood water and hence people were famine stricken, the king and his team of Ministers were desperately finding a solution, a lady working as a Sweeper, cleaning the dust from the roads, found an earthen pot, which had little baby with bright Lotus leaves like eyes. She performed some Japa and felt pitiable for the poor soul, who had been compelled to discard such a lovable child on the streets. Out of affection, the milk began to flow out of her breasts and she immediately took the child to the Wet nurse and took her support.
The child was named Suyya and he grew up to be brilliant and intelligent child.
For his good conduct and brilliance, was considered as master of learned ones.
One day, when people were grieving about floods, he remarked that he had intellect but not the money, therefore was unable to give any redress.
This comment reached the King Avantivarman’s ears. The king called upon him and asked again and Suyya fearlessly repeated what he had earlier said.
The king was impressed by his confidence and placed lot of wealth at his disposal and asked him to create a plan to solve the problem.
Suyya, took number of vessels filled with Dinnaras and went by boat to Madava.
Therre, in the village named Nandaka, which was under water , he threw a pot full of Dinnaras and returned.
Although the courtiers pronounced him to be undoubtedly mad, but the king showed faith in his suggestions. At Yakshadara in Karmarajya, he began to throw dinnaras by handful into the water. The river Vitasta, there was obstructed by rocks which were blocking it on both sides of banks.
The villagers who were living in utter poverty and deprived state, began searching for the dinnaras and while doing so, removed the rocks which were in the bed of the river, clearing the passage blocking the water.
No sooner had the water flowed out, Suyya built a stone embankment along the river Vitasta, in seven days.
He then cleared the bed of the river and then broke down the embankments. Now, the river water flowed rapidly towards the sea, as if anxiously and eagerly after long awaited detention and consequently, the land again appeared above the waters.
He then cut new canals from the river Vitsata, wherever he thought the course of the river being obstructed, creating numerous streams.
River Sindhu which flowed from Trigarma to the left and Vitasta on the right. They were made to meet one another at Vainyasvami. Till recently, the junction made by Suyya existed and also the two Gods Vishnusvami and Vainyasvami at Phalpur and Parihaspur were situated on the either side of the junction.
Suyya worshipped God Rishikesh and his temple also existed on the junction.
The trees that had grown on the banks of the river, could be distinguished by the marks of ropes, by which the boats were tied to them. Thus, Suyya diverted the course of rivers and built stone embankment in length and thereby brought the waters of the Mahapadma lake under control. He connected the water of Lake Mahapadma with that of the River Vitasta and built many villages.
The low lands which were protected by embankments were called Kundals, initiating thumping harvest.
Even today, when rivers turn narrow during Autumn, marks of the pillars which were erected by Suyya, can be distinguished.
He created irrigation facilities like artificial canals for decreasing the dependence on rains for harvest.
Thus, Suyya’s work was nothing less than that of an Engineee and not even Rishi Kashyap or Valadeva had been able to achieve .
Before Suyya’s electrifying work, the paddy sold in Kashmir markets was at two hundred dinnaras for a Khari, even after a bumper harvest but after his exceptional work, the price came down to Thirty Six Dinnaras for the same quantity.
Suyya built a city after his own name on the bank of river Vitasta and he issued a law that no fishes or the birds living on the Lake Mahapadma, should be killed.
He bestowed the village Suyyakundala to Brahmanas and erected a bridge Suyyasetu, in memory of the woman who had found him on the street.
This incidence depicts that implantation of Suyya’s engineering skills have a favourable result and it received enormous support from citizens.
The technology of building dam and irrigation facilities to get better yield was adapted centuries ago in our nation and Suyya’s innovative experiences were fully supported by King Avantivarman.
King Avantivarman remained dedicated to pro-development work and hence could not find much time for Military conquests.
Post Lalitaditya era, the kingdoms acquired by him, declared themselves as independent. Avantivarman did not really make any efforts to win back those regions.
Infact, King Avantivarman’s soldierly strength was robust and he had the might to protect the border but he paid solo attention to progressive projects.
Had he paid more attentiveness, he could have successfully achieved both and gain far more recognition than Lalitaditya Muktapida.
King Avantivarman was an extremely susceptible soul and had a special attachment with Nature and this is imperceptible in his mode of Governance.
Animal slaughtering and Bird poaching were completely banned under his rein.
Suyya, the chief Engineer and his trusted irrigation related advisor had notified strict instruction for disallowing Fishing in the Wooler lake.
Presently, Goverments are initiating ample of schemes related to ‘Nature Conservation’ but it won’t be an exaggeration to give the credit of being harbinger of the same.
Both, dedicated themselves in sound co-operation for the cause.
Renowned historian Kalhan’s expression in appreciation of their devotion are extremely soul touching. Kalhan in “Rajtarangini” says, “During King Avantivarman’s rein, the Shark fish would rest on the bank of the river, leaving the water and would take Sun bath…”
King Avantivarman plunged wholeheartedly in development and Public Welfare related works. He inspired and initiated involvement of his friends, colleagues and Cabinet Ministers.
His Prime Minister Shoor built massive ShurShiv temple as well as royal Shur Math on the bank of Dal Lake.
King Avantivarman has left a regal heritage of numerous Muths and Temples.
The ruins of “Avantishwar” and “Avantiswamin” are epitome of timeless legacy that King Avantivarman has left behind and it still remains the memorable site for every traveler visiting Pehalgam.
Shambles of these unparalleled monuments of Bharatiya culture, enlivens the memories of Golden era. One can not withhold feeling enraged towards such barbaric conduct and callous mindset, of the Islamic Sultans.
King Avantivarman was proficient and meticulous administrator.
During his rule, few mutiny obstruction disturbed the governance but King controlled and dispersed it with the help of his team of ministers.
There were immense bitterness among his brothers and they constantly conspired to derail his rule. Apart from that, the revolt by members of Domar caste created disturbance.
Both the uprisings were uprooted by Avantivarman’s Prime Minister Shur.
Shur was mighty as well as sharp and shrewd political brain. When the Domar people, under the leadership of Dhaamar, began illegally acquiring the temple lands, the Prime Minister Shur defunct the conspirators, implying diplomacy.
Shur invited all the important leaders in the Bhutesh Shiv temple (currently known as Bhuthar) and beleaguered, killed and extinct them. After this, no one dared to uprise against the temples.
King Avantivarman was attacked by a mortal disease and retired to the shrine of Jyesteshvara on the hills of Tripuresha. He died in the month of Ashara, on the 3 rd day of the Shukla paksha, in CE 883.
As the former Lt. Governor of Kashmir, Late Jagmohan ji has mentioned in his epic writing, ‘My frozen turbulence in Kashmir’, “From all points of views, Avantivarman’s time was a glorious period in Kashmir’s history. There was peace; there was development; there was Justice; there was understanding between the king and his ministers; there was piety and even awareness of conservation; and there was attachment to higher ideals of religion, Art and culture. The king’s pious disposition can be seen from the fact that he used to listen to the recital of Bhagavadgita from his sickbed and he passed away while listening to the ‘slokas’ from this holy book.”
Sources of Reference :
हमारी भूलो का स्मारक – धर्मांतरित कश्मीर
नरेन्द्र सहगल
राजतरंगिनी -कल्हान
My Frozen Turbulance in Kashmir
Late Shri. Jagmohan
Madhvi Bhuta is the National Executive of BJP Mahila Morcha and a Columnist on various Forums.