Ebenaka
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Ebenaka (एबेनक) was a Jat kingdom of Rajavadana Balahara in Kashmir mentioned in Rajatarangini. [1] It is also mentioned as Eveshaka[2] It was the period of Jaya Simha (1128-1149 AD).
Variants
Rajavadana Balhara
Rajavadana Balhara (राजवदन बलहारा) was Governor of Ebenaka[4]/Eveshaka[5] and other districts in the history of Kashmir mentioned by Kalhana Pandita. Rajatarangini mentions him at one place son of Tejas[6] while at other place born of Ojas[7], a leader in the army and in the womb of a chaste woman. Rajatarangini[8] mentions that his father Ojas beamed with prowess, and during the civil war, adorned army of Sussala (b. 1072- r.1112-1127 AD) of Lohara family, which was, as it were, a test stone of heroism for the principal warriors. Rajavadana was, during his childhood, called the long-blanket-clad. Owing to the faithfulness of his father, he was retained by the king in his service, and the possession of the estates of Ebenaka. Rajatarangini[9] has also mentioned his father Ojas as lord of Keṭṭa. The importance of these Balhara warrior can be understood from the fact that they gave name to a River called after them River Balaharī mentioned in Rajatarangini.[10] Rajavadana Balhara is mentioned in Rajatarangini:{Book VIII (ii), p.245,247,250-254, 260-268, 271-276, 280-282, 287-292, 306}
History
Bhim Singh Dahiya[11] mentions that Balhara clan, too, finds numerous references. A country of Balhara, adjoining Jurz (Gujar) country, is mentioned as situated on the western sea coast in connection with the location of "A Race of Fair Women" .[12]
We have the name Balhara itself, and they are known to have played significant political/military role in the history of Kashmir and other areas. Mahabharata mentions the Vallabhikan with the Bahlikas, indicating their homeland in the north.[13]
In Kashmir, we know Rājavadan Balhara, son of Tejas Balhara from Kalhana's Rajatarangini [14] Stein says that Balhara is evidently a family or clan name. It was the period of Jaya Simha (Jai Singh), 1128-1149 A.D., and Kalhana was witnessing the contemporary scene as he wrote Rajatarangini in 1149/1150 A.D.
Rajavadana Balhara was Governor of Eveshaka and other districts. Plots, counterplots were taking place; moral and military characters were on the low ebb. But about Balhara himself, Kalhana says :[15]
- "Balhara possessed a certain natural perfection of resolve and character, which, nowadays, is rare indeed, even among brave men. He thus did not act treacherously against Dhanyu who had come to him inconsiderately; nor against Bhoja, as he might have done from greed."
References
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii) p.245
- ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Jat Clan in India,p.245-246
- ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Jat Clan in India,p.245-246
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.245
- ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Jat Clan in India,p.245-246
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.261
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.245
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.245
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.262
- ↑ Kings of Kashmira Vol 2 (Rajatarangini of Kalhana)/Book VIII (ii), p.265
- ↑ Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Jat Clan in India,p.245-246
- ↑ JRAS, 1904, p. 163
- ↑ MBT, II, 47/19.
- ↑ op. cit., VIII, 2695/2696
- ↑ ibid., p. 2993.