Kalhana

Kalhana, commonly spelled Kalhaṇa, was a Kashmiri Brahmin historian of the 12th century CE. He is best known as the author of Rajatarangini, a Sanskrit chronicle that records the history of Kashmir. Little is known about his life beyond traditional accounts that he was connected with the Kashmiri court and devoted himself to compiling the region’s history in verse.

Rajatarangini, completed in the 12th century, is written in Sanskrit and organized into eight books. It narrates Kashmir’s dynastic history from legendary and semi-legendary rulers to the author’s own era. The work blends historical narrative with myth, genealogies, court chronicles, and occasional critical commentary, describing political events, rulers’ deeds, and aspects of social and religious life. It covers rulers from various dynasties, including the legendary period and later dynasties such as the Karkota and Utpala lines, among others.

Scholars regard Rajatarangini as a foundational source for medieval Kashmir history and as a significant example of early Sanskrit historiography. While it preserves important information not found elsewhere, modern analysis notes its mixture of legend and fact and its literary embellishments, which require corroboration with inscriptions and other sources. Kalhana’s work has influenced subsequent narratives and remains a primary reference for the study of Kashmir’s political, cultural, and religious history.