Rajatarangini, the famous chronology of Kashmir Kings was written by:

Question

Rajatarangini, the famous chronology of Kashmir Kings was written by:

1. A. Parmanand
2. B. Kalhana (Correct answer)
3. C. Zinda Kaul
4. D. Ghulam Ahmad Mahjoor

Correct Answer

Option B — Kalhana

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Kalhana.

Key Points

• Rajatarangini, "The River of Kings", was written by Kalhana in about 1148 CE, in Sanskrit verse.
• It chronicles the kings of Kashmir and is among the earliest works of Indian literature written in a genuinely historical rather than mythological mode.

Additional Information

• The work runs to eight books (tarangas) and records the dynastic sequence Gonanda → Karkota → Utpala → Lohara, with Lalitaditya Muktapida the greatest conqueror and Avantivarman the great builder.
• Kalhana drew on inscriptions, coins, land grants and earlier chronicles, and his critical use of sources is what earns him the description of India's first true historian.
• It was later continued by Jonaraja and Srivara, and translated into English by Aurel Stein.