Consider the following statements from Kalhana’s Rajatarangini: 1. The common people ate rice and Utpala-saka (a wild vegetable of bitter taste). 2. Harsha introduced into Kashmir a general dress befitting a king which included a long coat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

According to Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, the diet of the common people in ancient Kashmir primarily consisted of rice and a wild vegetable known as Utpala-saka, which was noted for its bitter taste. This reflects the local agricultural and social conditions of the valley during the early medieval period. Regarding dress, King Harsha of Kashmir (1089–1101 AD) is credited with introducing significant cultural reforms. Influenced by the fashions of the Deccan and other regions, he introduced a general dress befitting royalty, which included a long coat or tunic. This shift in attire marked a departure from the simpler traditional garments previously worn by the Kashmiri elite. The Rajatarangini serves as a critical historical record for these social and cultural details, bridging the gap between political history and the daily lives of the Kashmiri people.

Sources

1. [1] https://iccr.gov.in/sites/default/files/indian%20horizon%20vol%2062%20no.%204%20final.pdf