Kalhana
Kalhana (in the 12th century) was the author of the Rajatarangini , the history of Kashmir . This story originated in the years 1147 to 1149. His father Champaka was Minister of the Raja .
Kalhana, whose name can not be ascribed any meaning in Sanskrit and therefore probably comes from a local dialect of the time, was the first Indian historian of standing.
He writes a history of the Rajas of Kashmir, so only personal history without any attempt at social or even structural history . But he tries very hard to be neutral. This is one of the many principles of historiography that he formulates. Its source base includes inscriptions, genealogical tables and coins, but also literary works and folk art such as sagas and proverbs.
Translations and literature
- Marc Aurel Stein: Kalhaṇa's Rājataraṅgiṇī. A Chronicle of the Kings of Kaśmīr . Translated, with an introduction, commentary and appendices. Vol. 1. 2. Westminster 1900.
- Walter Slaje: "In the Guise of Poetry - Kalhaṇa Reconsidered". In: Śāstrārambha. Inquiries into the Preamble in Sanskrit. Edited by Walter Slaje. Preface by Edwin Gerow. (AKM 62). Wiesbaden 2008: 207-244.
- Walter Slaje: Harṣa of Kashmir. A political moral painting from the Indian Middle Ages. Kalhaṇas Rājataraṅgiṇī (Book 7) critically reissued with an annotated translation. [Academy of Sciences and Literature, Mainz. Publications of the Commission on Non-European Languages and Cultures. 4.]. Wiesbaden 2019, ISBN 978-3-447-11236-9 .
- Theresa Wilke: Harṣa of Kashmir. A portrait of a ruler from medieval India. [AWLM. Publications of the subject group commission for non-European languages and cultures. Studies in Indology. 5]. Wiesbaden 2019. ISBN 978-3-447-11305-2 .
See also
Web links
- KN Dhar on Kalhana as a historian (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Kalhana |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Indian historian |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 11th century or 12th century |
| DATE OF DEATH | 12th century or 13th century |