Language: Sanskrit Text With English Translation
First time Publish text with English translation, Notes & Index
Kalhana's Rajatarangini for Indian history generally lies in the fact that it represents a class of Sanskrit composition which comes nearest in character to the Chronicles of Medieval Europe and of the Muhammadan East. Together with the later Kasmir Chronicles which continue KaIhanas narrative, it is practically the sole extant specimen of this class. A Kavya in, form and conception the Rajatarangini has yet a scope and aim widely different from that of the Caritas we have previously noticed.


Its authoris object is to offer a connected narrative of the various dynasties which ruled Kasmir from the earliest period down to his own time. He begins with the legends which represent the popular traditions of the country regarding its earliest history. These he follows up by a narrative of subsequent reigns taken from older written records and arranged in a strictly chronological order. The final portion of the work, considerable both in extent and historical interest, is devoted to an account of the events which the author knew by personal experience or from the relation of living witnesses. These events are narrated from the point of view of a more or less independent Chronicler and by no means with the purely panegyrical object of the court-poet, which reigns supreme in the Caritas.