CHERRIES AND KING LALITADITYA OF KASHMIR

                                                                        
CHERRIES ON A TREE PHOTO AUTAR MOTA SRINAGAR MAY 2010.

CHERRIES AND KING LALITADITYA

Many friends had commented in my Blog that Cherries actually do not belong to kashmir. Some said that the saplings were brought to Kashmir by travelers from Central Asia . One friend commented that Afghans brought it from Kandhar .Some said that the Europeans brought cherries to Kashmir . Not clear on this aspect I tried to find some reference in Kalhana’s RAJTARANGINI . Lo and behold! Our Karkota  King Lalitaditya Muktapida turned out to be fond of Cherries . He is reported to have asked for cherries during one of his expeditions in Gauda Desha ( Bengal ) .Cherries existed and were marketed for public consumption in Kashmir during 8th centaury . I quote specific Cantos of Rajataringini:-

“ Thus on the shore of the eastern ocean he was camping with the army he , on one occasion , ordered cherries to be brought . ”

CANTO 219 Taranga IV

““ While those in front of him blindly stood ------------------------------ brought cherries as a present before him ”

CANTO 220 Taranga IV

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