Lalitaditya Muktapida (reign 724 -760 CE) was a Hindu emperor of the Karkoma dynasty (625-1003 CE) from Kashmir, the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. He is famous for successfully resisting Muslim Arab and Tibetan armies and defeating one of Emperor Harsha’s successor, King Yashovarman. Lalitaditya expressed interest in other areas besides his military campaign. Art and trade gained importance during his reign, religious festivals were held, and special facilities as well as encouragement were provided to support painters and sculptors. He was a successful writer and a Veena player. Bamzai wrote that Lalitaditya’s war victories have received special place among different accounts of his reign. He was later made a hero of Kashmiris. Lalitaditya is considered to be the greatest ruler of Kashmir due to his encouragement of art, great work in human welfare, love of education, protection of scholars, and kindness. Despite these exaggerations, Lalitaditya is generally accepted as the most powerful king of his dynasty. He commissioned a number of shrines in Kashmir, including the now-ruined Martand Sun Temple. He also established several towns, including a new capital at Parihasapura, although he also maintained the dynasty’s traditional capital at Srinagara.
