Avantivarman of Kashmir

Avantivarman was the founder of the Utpala dynasty and King of Kashmir from 855 to 883. He built the Avantiswami Temple in Awantipora, Pulwama.

Reign

Avantivarman was the grandson of Utpala, one of the five brothers who had taken control of the Karkota throne. Raised by Utpala's minister Sura, Anantivarman ascended the throne of Kashmir in 855, establishing the Utpala dynasty and ending the rule of the Karkotas. Avantivarman appointed Suyya, an engineer and architect as his prime minister. The country had been badly affected due to civil wars over the prior forty years. Avantivarman's reign restored the economy. Suyya carried out desilting of the Jhelum River and diverted its course.
During his reign, in 880, the town of Suyyapur in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir was founded by Suyya.
Notable poets, Ranakar and Ananvardhana, were part of his court. During this time, the price of paddy declined from 36 to 20 dinars. Suyya is said to have drained a large chunk of wasteland as prime minister. Suyyapur or Sopore township in Baramulla district was named for him.
While Suyya was working in Sopore, no one came to bathe in the water. The king ordered that a part of his treasury be thrown into the water, leading a large number of people into the river to get as many coins as they could. Suyya continued and cleared the river of silt.

Art and architecture

Avantivarman was a patron of the arts. The most notable scholar of his time was Anandhavardana, the author of Dhvanyaloka. He founded the cities of Avantipur and Suyapur. He built many Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva as well as Buddhist monasteries. Notable among the temples were the temples of Avantiswara and Avantiswami dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu respectively in Avantipur.

Death and succession

Avantivarman died in 883 and his death was followed by another civil war among his descendants. The throne was finally captured by Sankaravarman in 885, who ruled until 902.