The Loharad dynasty was a royal dynasty ruling Kashmir between the 10th and 12th centuries. Although the Lohara's Hindus were, during this period, Islam arrived in Kashmir to slowly gain more political influence. Most information about this dynasty comes from Rajatarangini, the work of 12th century writer Kalhana.
The Loharad dynasty followed the Utal dynasty, whose last king was succeeded by an outsider, Yassaskara in 939. After committing suicide in 948, his minister Parvagupta became king for a year. In 950 this was succeeded by his son Kshemagupta, who married the Princess Didda of Lohara. After Kshemagupta died in 958, Queen Didda acted as a regent for her son Abhimanyu (958-972) and then eight years before her grandson. Finally, in 980, they finally thrown the throne after turning off a second grandson. Queen Didda is referred to as an expert driver who laid the foundation for her Loharadynastie named. In addition, she held close ties with the Shahi rulers who ruled Kabul and the Punjab, because her grandfather, Bhimadeva, had been king of those areas. Kashmir granted the Shahi military support against Persian invaders from the west.
Didda died in 1003, to be succeeded by her cousin Sangrama Raja (1003-1028). This king had to deal with attacks of Ghaznavids, an Islamic-Persian dynasty from Ghazni in eastern Afghanistan. After Mahmud of Ghazni destroyed the empire of the Shahi, some Shahi prince flew to Kashmir. Mahmud of Ghazni also tried to subject Kashmir, but was defeated three times (in 1015, 1021 and 1026).
Kashmir's power took place under King Harsha (1089-1101). Around this time, the radja employed more and more Islamic mercenaries, settling in Kashmir among the population. Although Harsha was a benign and artistic king, he later became a madman and became a despot. During a public prosecution, Harsha was expelled and killed. However, there was no end to the dynasty, because another descendant of Queen Didda's brother Udaya Raja seized the power. However, the power of the radja was affected and the later kings of the Loharad dynasty were often appointed by local rulers. In 1171 the dynasty ended.
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