Lothana

Lothana (b.1092-d...AD) or Lothanasimha was a King of Loharkot. Lothana's only son was named Dilha and his wife's name was Malla. Ujahsurya was father-in-law of Lothana. Loṭhana and Salhana were half brothers of the king Sussala. Lothana married with the Somaladevi daughter of Bhagika. In the year 6 (=1130 AD), on the thirteenth day of the bright moon, in the month of Phalguna, Lothana was deprived of his kingdom.

Jat Gotras

• Lotian

Coronation of Lothana at Lohara

Rajatarangini tells that the half brothers Loṭhana and Salhana who had been confined by king Sussala in the hill of Lohara, the elder Salhana being dead, the officers of the fort had coronated the younger Lothana on the night succeeding the day on which the king's enemy, the disturber of the realm, Bhikshachara had died. That Lothana had been asked to come out of the prison and take possession of the treasury with his sons and nephews, five in all, proud and worthy of the kingdom. (p. 156-157)

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Rajatarangini tells that About this time the Kashmirians sent instructions to the people of Kotta in order to inspire confidence in them. The king was then in reduced circumstances ; and according to these instructions, the numerous inhabitants of Kotta wrote secret letters and came into an understanding with the wife of (Lothanasimha) whom they had decided to anoint. And after the fort had been examined and the men [ who were in confinement ] had been set free at night, Lothanasimha was released from confinement and was anointed king before the temple of Vishnu, named Rajasvami. The wicked woman, Sharat, widow of king Sussala, directed these men.[p.159]

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Rajatarangini tells that The inhabitants of Kotta passed the night without sleep on account of the sounds of drum and trumpet, and Lothana appeared almost as a king. He was never seen before in such noble dress and the people beheld him with surprise. He was also honored with illuminations caused by the king's ministers. [p.160]

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Rajatarangini tells thatSussala had received many services from Lothana ; but Shura, the king of many lands, to whom Sussala had given his daughter Padmalekha in marriage, came to the help of the king (of Kashmira,] and Shura's soldiers consequently attacked the soldiers of the enemy. When they had besieged the country, Lothana's heart wavered through fear, and he thought of submitting to the king, and to the punishment he would award. (p.161-162)

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Rajatarangini tells us that ....Frightened by the troubles which raged at Lohara, Sujji became anxious and very much grieved. He said to the rebels one day that he would cause peace to be established between them and the king and Lothana through the king's envoy, and that he would induce Lothana to pay some gold to them by speaking to Somapala.(p.163)

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Rajatarangini tells us that ....Somapala who had asked for a large sum of money was told by Lothana that he would rather pay tribute to Jayasimha, the principal enemy, and the proudest of the proud. (p.164)

Lothana obtained the Meeting Royal Fortune

Rajatarangini tells us that ....At Lohara, people from various countries, and even from Kashmira went to the palace-gate, so that it became crowded. Thus it was by a happy chance that Lothana obtained the Meeting Royal Fortune, and became as full of splendour as the god of wealth. The sons of Lothana's brother and the sons of his servants did not share Lothana's physical and mental infirmities, and were not deprived of enjoyments. The actions of the rich king Lothana who did not bestow charity on the undeserving and was not niggardly to the deserving, lacked energy owing to his old age.(p.168)

Death of Lothana's son and wife

Rajatarangini tells us that ....Within about a month, after he had obtained greatness, Lothana's only son named Dilha died; and Lothana's beloved wife, Malla died sorrowing for her only son, pierced with grief and despair. On the death of his most beloved wife and of his worthy son, Lothana did not pay attention to the affairs of the kingdom. (p.168)

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Rajatarangini tells us that .... Sujji whose avarice had destroyed his dexterity in all business, now threw off his disguise and became the minister of king Lothana. He bestowed on king Lothana, the daughter of Bhagika and removed the mistrust which existed between him and Lothana, and also soothed the grief caused by the death of his beloved ones. The able Sujji requested king Padmaratha, and brought Padmaratha's daughter named Somaladevi for marriage with Lothana. (p.169)

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Rajatarangini tells us that .... On the other hand, the wise king Jayasimha, within a short time, deceived Lothana, as he had deceived Prema. (p.170)

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Rajatarangini tells us that ....Afraid of the son of Sussala (Mallarjjuna) who was imprisoned, Lothana made Vigraharaja accept the office of the Pratihara. (p.170)

Lothana deprived of his kingdom: 1130 AD

Rajatarangini tells us that ....months Lothana could discard Shura, and was able, without fear, to engage himself in his own work. When Sujji heard that the mother of the unmarried daughter of Padmaratha, whom he had invited for marriage of her daughter with Lothana, had arrived with great pomp, he went to Darpitapura to receive her men. At this unguarded time Mallarjjuna was released from prison by Majika and others, and was unanimously anointed king of the kingdom of Kotta by them and by the Thakkuras who had been brought to the place before. They opposed the entrance into the fort, of the, servants of Jayasimha who had approached the castle gate and were wishing to get into it. (p.171)

In the year 6 (=1130 AD), on the thirteenth day of the bright moon, in the month of Phalguna, Lothana was deprived of his kingdom, as speedily as he had obtained it.

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Rajatarangini tells us that ....Lothana entered Kramarajya at the request of the Damara named Rajaraja, and in order to obtain the kingdom of Kashmira. But when he arrived there, the Lavanya who was near him was killed by Chitraratha; whereupon he returned to Bapyanila. Lothana repeatedly attacked Mallarjjuna, so that the latter was unable to lay siege to Attalika and he resided at Kotta. Koshteshvara caused much wealth to be given by the nephew [Mallarjjuna] to the uncle [Lothana] and established peace between them. When peace was established at Lohara, Koshteshvara, with a view to fight with the king [ Jajasimha,] took Lothana with him and fell on Kashmira. (p.176)

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Rajatarangini tells us that ....Lothana now forcibly ruled the country which Koshtaka had obtained and which was under Uchchala and others. (p.195)

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Rajatarangini tells us that ........In the meantime Koshtaka returned after his ablutions in the Ganges, and taking Mallarjjuna on his side, set about to raise a faction in the kingdom. At the time of the solar eclipse, the prince was at Kurukshetra. He waived his former enmity towards the Lavanya and went to him in order to serve his purpose. Lothana came there invited, but when he heard that the prince was with the Damara (Lavanya), he was unable to establish peace between himself and the Lavanya, and returned by the way he had come. (p.198)

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Rajatarangini tells us that ....Udaya who worked hard, until he fainted, in collecting an army, heard that in the town of Shankaravarmma, Lothana had joined Alankarachakra, and he also heard that Vigraharaja, son of king Sussala, and Bhoja, son of Salhana,had come with Lothana. Then when their insurrection had gained strength, Udaya hurriedly marched in one day over the road which is traversed in many days. The Damara (Alankarachakra), unable to take possession of Kantha with his own party, was at a loss, and on being checked in his movements by Udaya's attack, he fled and took shelter in the fort of Shirahshila, situated on the banks of the Sindhu, where the Madhumati also flowed with its pearl like beauty. (p.223)

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Rajatarangini tells us that ....When Lothana and others, after escaping with difficulty from Karnata, joined Alankarachakra, the first idea which occurred was that the king would be conquered. It was in vain that with his party he [Alankarachakra] garrisoned Kantha, for the lord of Dvara who came rapidly made a vigorous attack on it. (p.227)

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Rajatarangini tells us that ...Bhoja said that disaffection must arise among them and he arrested his father's brother Lothana although with reluctance, and although he still daily served him, to save appearances. Kunṭhashāvya, in order to soothe Lothana, acknowledged his prudence in his presence, and came to some agreement with him. When the uncle wished to depart, Bhoja told him that the king would kill him, and would not let him escape, although others might go, and he wept. (p.228)

Lothana captured once more 1143 AD

Rajatarangini tells us that ... In the morning Alankara who was in the palace and was anxious to do some courageous deed ascended the fort, and by his tactics and menaces he subdued the Damara. He had brooked the delay of Lothana's departure so long but this day he was relentless towards Lothana, and he plainly told him to go. Some persons made a proposal which might have removed the grief and disgrace of this proud man. [They said] that " the time was such as blinded the eyes of the crowd but gave light to those of the good Kshetriyas. (p.236-237)

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Rajatarangini tells us that ...Dhanya humbled himself out of shame when he saw Lothana riding in a carriage, and without ornaments and with clothes and weapons dirty and worn out. His eyes were large and motionless, his moustache and beard thick and rough and he had taken with him an image of a god. Lothana was seen like an owl fled from his cavern home. As the party moved on and lighted fire in the camp, the light brightened the hill which looked as if it wete, a touch-stone to test the power of the king. "When the encampment broke up, all of a sudden the sky poured snow, and thus removed all doubt about the divinity of the king. Scaring that the snow fall would be heavy and that men falling under it would die in a moment, the soldiers went within caverns and looked as if besmeared with red powder. Thus in the year 19 (=1143 AD), on the tenth lunar day, bright moon, of Phalguna, aged fifty-nine was Lothana captured once more. (p.239)

References

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