Page:History of India Vol 2.djvu/371

KASHMIR 32? in 1768. A corrupt and decaying form of Buddhism still survives in the country. Ill KASHMIR A detailed account of the history of Kashmir would fill a volume; in this place a brief notice of some of the leading passages will suffice. The valley had been included in the Maurya empire in the time of Asoka, and again in the Kushan dominion in the days of Kanishka and Huvishka. Harsha, although not strong enough to annex Kashmir, was yet able to compel the king to surrender a cherished relic, an alleged tooth of Buddha, which was carried off to Kanauj. The authentic chronicles of the kingdom begin with the Karkota dynasty, which was founded by Durlabhavar- dhana during Harsha 's lifetime. This prince and his son Durlabhaka are credited with long reigns. The latter was succeeded by his three sons in order, the eldest of whom, Chandrapida, received investiture as king from the Emperor of China in 720, by whom the third son, Muktapida, also known as Lalitaditya, was similarly honoured in 733. This prince, who is said to have reigned for thirty-six years, extended the power of Kashmir far beyond its normal mountain limits, and about the year 740 inflicted a crushing defeat upon Yasovarman, King of Kanauj. He also vanquished the Tibetans, Bhutias, and the Turks on the Indus. His memory has been perpetuated by the famous Martanda temple, which was built by him, and still exists. The acts of this king, and all that he did, and some-