Development of Poetics in Kashmir during Early Medieval Period

Abstract

Kashmir was a great centre of learning and knowledge from the very early centuries. Kashmir has always attracted the attention of various scholars worldwide not only for its landscape, but also for its place in history as abode of learning and literary traditions. Bilhana calls Kashmir as Sardadesa i.e., the place of learning. It was believed by people that Sarasvati, the Goddess of learning was residing there. The main reason behind the literary glory of Kashmir might be the enlightened and generous rulers who greatly patronized learning and honored those who dedicated their lives to learning. For example, king Jayapida of Kashmir paid a salary of one lakh gold coins to Udbhata, the president of the royal assembly of poets. It was due to the patronage of these kings that a plethora of Sanskrit works was compiled in this era. The science of poetics also developed in Kashmir and authors like Bhamaha, Vamana, Udbhata, Anandvardhan provided many theories regarding the framework of good poetry and its components like Rasa, Alankara, Riti and Dhvani. In this work we will study how different rhetoricians from Kashmir contributed in the development of poetics.