Uchchala

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Uchchala (b.1070,r.1101–1111) of Lohara family was the King of Kashmir who ruled for 10 years from 1101–1111 AD. He was murdered in 1111 AD. He was Malla's son and brother of Sussala.

Uchchala in the Genealogy of Nara

Rajatarangini[1] provides us following Genealogy of Nara:

Genealogy of Nara, King of Darvabhisara

Formerly at Darvvabhisara there lived a king named Nara of the Gotra of Bharadvaja, who had a son named Naravahana, and Naravahana had a son named Phulla. Phulla had a son named Sarthavahana, his son was Chandana, and Chandana had two sons, Gopala and Sinharaja, Sinharaja had several children, his daughter Didda was married to Kshemagupta. Didda made Sanggramaraja (son of her brother Udayaraja) king. She had another brother, Kantiraja, and he had a son named Jassaraja, Sanggramaraja had a son named Ananta, while of Jassaraja were born Tanvangga and Gungga. Ananta's son was Kalasharaja, and of Gungga was born Malla. Kalasha's son is king Harshadeva, and Malla's sons were Uchchala and Sussala.

History

The Damaras became riotous, and Harsha ordered the lord of Mandala to massacre them. [2]

Uchchala and Sussala sons of Malla rose against Harsha. [3]


Harsha's son Bhojadeva died before the king in rebellion. [4]

Uchchala, who had been, to Hiranyapura, was coronated by Brahmanas there.[5]

Uchchala re-built Nandikshetra

Rajatarangini[6] tells us that Uchchala re-built Nandikshetra which had been burnt by a destructive fire, and made it more beautiful than it was before. The king who was bent on repairing the dilapidated buildings repaired Shrichakradhara, Yogesha and Svayambhu. He set up anew at Parihasapura, the god Shriparihasakeshava which king Harsha had taken away. He was devoid of cupidity and adorned Tribhuvanasvami with the Shukavali, described before, which had also been taken out by king Harsha. He also renewed the most beautiful throne in his kingdom, the same that was brought by Jayapira but had been burnt by fire during the revolution which led to Harsha's dethronement.

Queen Jayamati: Jayamati, though of humble condition before, was now raised by the love of her husband to the high post of queen, a place which she did not abuse. Though of low birth, she became lady-like by her virtues of kindness, sweetness, charity and love for the good. Even the -most lovely women, if they obtain the king's affection, behave like demons towards the subjects. King Uchchala how-ever who loved his subjects and was devoid of avarice had for his wealth this one virtue, which stood above his other virtues, that he protected his people from the royal underlings who were murderous, sinful and who robbed others.

Sussala's plan of usurpation

Rajatarangini[7] tells us that Royalty is like Pratata, a thorny creeper ; it destroys family affection and becomes harmful to kinsmen. Sussala, though possessed of wealth of all kinds, planned the usurpation of the kingdom and meditated an attack on his brother. The king heard all of a sudden that his brother had crossed Varahavartta and had fallen on him with the speed of a hawk. The active king issued out for battle before his opponent could gain a firm footing, and 'ell on him with his large army and did him much harm.


[p.18]: The younger brother fled towards his quarters, leaving his baggage behind. The king returned with success but heard that his brother had returned on the following day, bent on mischief. By his orders Gaggachandra marched out with a large army to crush the force of Sussala. The battle raged for a long time and innumerable hardy soldiers of Sussala departed to heaven, and assuaged the fatigue of the women in the garden of that place. In this battle Sahadeva and Yudhishthira, two Rajputs, paid with their lives the debt of favor they owed to their master. Gagga captured the fleeing horsemen of the enemy who rode on beautiful horses which excited the curiosity even of the king who had many horses. The king marched with his army, quickly pursued his brother towards Kramarajya by the way of Selyapura road. Thus pursued by his elder brother, Sussala with his handful followers entered the country of Darad. The king killed Loshtaka, the Damara inhabitant of Selyapura, because he gave passage to Sussala, and entered the city Selyapura. When Sussala had gone far away, the king though polluted with sins, did not try to possess the hills of Lohara out of love for his brother. Sussala was married to the pure Meghamanjari, daughter of Vijayapala. She had lost her father and had been affectionately brought up by her mother's father Kahla, king of Kalindara, as his own child. Such was the power of Sussala that though it was then winter yet his enemies at Lohara could not oppose him. This patient prince after


[p.19]: issuing out of difficult roads and traversing mountains of difficult passages reached his own territory. It took him many months to go over thin way.

This danger over, king Uchchala had other minor difficulties which arose and passed away. Bhimadeva set up Bhoja, son of the late king Kalasha, and brought Jagaddala, king of Darad, to help them. Sahla, a son of Harsha and Sanjapala, brother of Darshanapala, were in the party. The king of Darad came out to attack Uchchala but the wise king induced him, by friendly words to return to his own country. Sahla privately followed the king of Darad. Bhoja retired to his country, but his servant having accepted a bribe betrayed his master, and Bhoja soon received from the king the punishment befitting a robber.

Even Pitthaka, son of Deveshvara, aspired to take possession of a part of the kingdom and revolted with the Damaras during the absence of the king. Vulgar mu become objects of laughter when like thoughtless brutes they are incited by others to run about, and act without any judgment of their own.

Then came one versed in intrigue ; his trade was that of an assistant cook, and he said that he was the sou of Malla and his name was Rāmala, and that he had been travelling in foreign countries. Many foolish kings who loved revolt assisted him with wealth and rank as he passed through their countries. He entered Kashmira alone, perspiring with heat. The king's servants know


[p.20]: him and cut off his nose. And again men saw him following the profession of his caste, walking about as he sold food to the king's soldiers, and they smiled.

Murder of Uchchala

Rajatarangini[8] describes the Murder of the King Uchchala: The king Uchchala was angry with Bhogasena and dismissed him from the post he held at Dvara and thus made him his enemy. Bhogasena was a very powerful man; he had subjugated all the Damaras. The hero Bhogasena who was formerly the king's friend, when thus insulted, brought again Rudda, Kadda and others to on appointed place from which the king did not drive them back. King was one day attacked to be killed. The king then saw Bhogasena standing at the end of the door with his back turned and scratching the wall with a piece of wood. The king addressed him and said, " I have forgiven Bhogasena why are you then here." He replied, abashed to the fleeing king something indistinctly. Rayyāvaṭṭa, the torch-bearer, who was without weapon, went into the fight with his iron lamp and fell wounded by the rebels. Somapala, a Rajpoot, son of Champa, was wounded and fell covered with the blows he received. His behaviour was not censurable Majjaka, a Rajpoot, son of Shurapala, fled hiding his weapon, like a dog hiding his tail. The king ran towards a wooden fence intending to scale it, but the Chandalas cut him in the knee and he fell on the ground. One Shringara, a Kayastha, who was not a rebel, threw himself over the king's body, was severely beaten and was prevented from , protecting the king. The king intended to rise again, but all his enemies struck him with their weapons, and his garland of blue lotus was torn away by kālī (A sort of weapon). The low Sadda cut him in his neck suspecting that the king was yet alive though he seemed dead. " I am he whom you dismissed from his post," he said, as he cut the king's fingers and snatched the jewel rings. The long-armed king was seen sleeping on the ground, his shoo in one foot, his garland fallen from his head and his face covered. The king's cruelty towards men was atoned by his great valor in his last moments. Shuraja, a royal servant, came out and cried aloud " treason," but he was killed by the angry Bhogasena. Thus the king perished by the kāli on his way to the apartments of his queen. They soon burnt him on an island in the great river Vitasta.

At the time of his death he had completed the age of forty-one. It was in the year 87, in the month of Pausha, on the sixth day of the bright moon. (p.25-30)

References


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