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April-June 2012 JOURNAL OF EURASIAN STUDIES Volume IV., Issue 2. _____________________________________________________________________________________ order to distribute the water equally, Suya took samples of soil from each village to ascertain the difference in the absorbing capacity of different soils of different villages. In the valley of Kashmir there are different soils with different water-absorbing characteristics. Accordingly, he distributed the water not according to the area of land of each village, but according to the absorbing capacity of the soil 9 . After taking these wonderful measures Kashmir was not only saved from recurrent food famines, but the production increased to such an extent that according to Kalhana the price of paddy came down to 36 dinnars 10 per Kharwar, the lowest price the Kashmir valley had ever witnessed. Prior to Awantivarman the normal price used to be 200 Dinnars, leaving aside 1500 Dinnars, during the times of famines. So Kalhana calls Suya (Anapati) lord of food. The economic prosperity proved in effect a stabilizing factor in Kashmiri politics too, and all these changes are plainly reflected in the magnificent and extensive foundations laid in the time of Awantivarman and the king himself founded the town of Awantipora. The town Awantipora is 29 kilometers away from Srinagar City in the South of Kashmir, located on the both sides of Srinagar Jammu national highway on the left side of the river Jehlum. This town was established by popular and renowned Raja Awantivarman in 853-883 A.D. The town is affiliated with the name of King Awantivarman and before it was known as “Vethpora” but changed later on by the king. In Raj Tarangni Pandit Kalhana says this town was a most important sacred religious pilgrimage place in ancient times and was called “Vishvakasar”. Raja Awantivarman constructed many stone temples and a palace there. The monuments of high and big stones temples are still found in the town, with a great archaeological importance. Visitors from the whole world come to visit this town. This town has significant importance also due to Ziyarat Sharief of Syed Hassan Mantaqi Sahib (RA). Suya laid the foundation of a town namely Suyapora 11 (modern Sopore) on the banks of the river Jehlum. Sopore occupies an almost central position in the valley of Kashmir surrounded by the picturesque Lolab Valley and Bandipora District in the east-north; on the west by outskirts of Baramulla City and on the south by Karewas of Tangmarg Tehsil. Until the end of the 14 th century the town did not observe any significant growth. It was after the independence of India that Sopore experienced a rapid rise in population and expansion of the town. After independence, a new bridge about 1.5 miles downstream from the site of the old bridge was constructed and administrative offices brought radical change in the overall development of the town. The rapid urban growth of the town can be attributed mainly to its locational advantage as the center of the valley, its rich and fertile soil which is good for agriculture, the abundance of water, potentially supportive for the rearing of a rich variety of fish due to the proximity to Wular Lake and several forest resources. Surapora 12 — founded by Sura, the prime minister of Awantivarman — is the modern Hiripora in the present district of Shopian and in order to enhance its importance he transferred here a watch-station from a high place on the Pir Panjal Pass. Awantivarman 13 constructed two temples: Awantiswamian 14 9 Kapur M.L, The history and culture of Kashmir, Publishers Jay Kay book house Jammu,1992, p.37. 10 Majumdar R.C, Ancient India, Motilal Banarasi Publishers Delhi,1998, p,355. 11 Kalhanas, Rajtarangni Trans.by M.A.Stein, vol., ii, Motilal Banarasi Dass Delhi, 1989,reprint p,460. 12 Sufi G.M.D, Kashir being a history of Kashmir, reprint, Capital Publishing house New Delhi, 1996,p,56. 13 Dutt Jogesh Chander, Kings of Kashmira, vol, i, Mittal Publications New Delhi,1990, p,112. _____________________________________________________________________________________ © Copyright Mikes International 2001-2012 26
April-June 2012 JOURNAL OF EURASIAN STUDIES Volume IV., Issue 2. _____________________________________________________________________________________ and Awantivishwara 15 temple. Awantiswamian temple was the Vishnu 16 temple and Awantivishwara was the Shiva 17 temple. Awantiswamian temple is situated on the bank of river Jehlum and is about one kilometer away from Awantipora market. The temple is a complex of five temples, with one major shrine. The five complex temples, known as panchyathra, is a special feature of the Kashmiri Vishnu temples. The structure of the temple is in a colonnaded peristyle form with an enclosing courtyard. The peristyle is comparatively plain externally except on the west side, which has a row of fluted columns; only decoration on the other three sides is in rectangular spaces, corresponding respectively with the cornice on the plinth and the cells inside. The entrance which is in the middle of the west wall, is divided by a cross wall into two chambers, and is approached by a flight of steps. The front pilasters of the side walls bear figures of Vishnu and of his consorts carved in relief on either side of it was a portico supported on tall massive advanced columns, one of which exists to this very present day, though in a precarious condition. Awantivishwara temple is about two and half kilometers away from Awantipora market. This place is the modern Jobara (Awantipora). These temples most probably represent the last stage of the growth of temple architecture in Kashmir Valley. The architecture 18 of these temples is almost having the resemblance with the Karkota temples, they too are made of big stone blocks, and their layout is almost the same. However, certain improvements were made in it by the Utpalas; especially their pillars are more ornated, and have been carved so magnificently that they looked like wooden pillars. Some motifs carved on the columns and pillars, are Indian, west Asian and Kashmiri.These two temples are now shapeless masses of ruins but the gateways of both are standing and are greatan examples of stone architecture, and the colonnade of the smaller temple, which had been completely buried underground has recently been partially excavated and repaired. Awantivarman was succeeded by his son Shankarvarman (883-902 A.D.). He first decided to reoccupy those areas which had been conquered during the time of Karkota ruler Lalitaditya, but lost during the later rulers of the said dynasty. With this intention he set out with his huge army and while conquering small and major states, he reached Kabul. By that time Kabul was ruled by a Hindu King, Lallaya. His people were not satisfied with his activities that resulted in the success of Shankarvarman and Kabul came under the control of Kashmir. During the time of Shankarvarman Kashmir became strong politically and militarily. It is worth emphasizing that during the time of Lalitaditya Kashmir had become strong militarily, while during the period of Awantivarman Kashmir became strong economically. During the rule of Shankarvarman Kashmir started achieving progress in both fields. Shankarvarman succeeded in establishing direct rapport with the people as a successful politician. As a result of gaining control over Kabul, many influential leaders emerged on the scene in Kabul who challenged Shankarvarman. Though both Kabul and Kashmir were completely Hindu regions, it was not easy to gain control over the people of Kabul only with arms. After his death the disorder continued; during the time of Gopalvarman (902-904 A.D.), the next ruler of valley, who proved to be an able strategist by changing his policies following his understanding of the spirit of bravery and self-respect of 14 Lawrence W, Valley of Kashmir, Chinar Publishing house Srinagar,2000, p.187. 15 Sufi G.M.D, Kashir being a history of Kashmir, reprint, Capital Publishing house New Delhi,1996, p.55. 16 R.C.Kak, Ancient Monuments of Kashmir, Gulshan Publishers Srinagar,2002,p,82. 17 Raghunath Rai, A history of the Kashmir, Academic Publishing co. Jalandhar,1996, p,34. 18 Kapur M.L, The history and culture of Kashmir, Publishers Jay Kay book house Jammu, 1992,p,39. _____________________________________________________________________________________ © Copyright Mikes International 2001-2012 27
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