Early Medieval North India (Rajput Period)
Overview
| Rajput Period Overview | The period between 7th and 12th centuries was dominated by the emergence of Rajputs in Northern India following the decline of Harshavardhana's empire. Era is characterized by the Tripartite Struggle for control over Kannauj, the rise of Nagara temple architecture, and eventual transition to Muslim rule following Turkish invasions. |
1. Important Rajput Kingdoms (c. 700–1200 AD)
| Chauhan (Chahamana) | Ruled Delhi and Ajmer (7th Cen.–1192); founded by Vasudeva. |
| Gurjara-Pratihara | Ruled Kannauj (730–1036); founded by Nagabhatta I. |
| Parmar (Pawar) | Ruled Malwa with capitals at Ujjain and Dhar (790–1150); founded by Seeak II. |
| Solanki (Chaulukya) | Ruled Kathiyawar/Gujarat (942–1187); founded by Mularaja I. |
| Rashtrakuta | Ruled from Malkhand (Manyakheta) in Deccan (752–973); founded by Dantidurga (Danti Varman II). |
| Chandela | Ruled Jejakabhukti (Bundelkhand) with capitals at Khajuraho and Mahoba (831–1202); founded by Nannuka. |
| Kalchuri (Haihaya) | Ruled Chedi with capital at Tripuri (850–1211); founded by Kokkala I. |
| Gadhawal (Rathor) | Ruled Kannauj (1090–1194); founded by Chandradeva. |
| Tomar | Ruled Dhillika (Delhi) from 8th to 12th century; founded by Anangpal. |
| Sisodiya (Guhilota) | Ruled Mewar from Chittor (8th Cen. onwards); associated with Bappa Rawal and later Hammir I. |
2. The Tripartite Struggle
| Tripartite Conflict Context | Prolonged conflict toward close of 8th century for supremacy over Kannauj (Farrukhabad, UP), the symbol of imperial sovereignty. |
| The Palas | Dominant in East (Bengal and Bihar). |
| The Gurjara-Pratiharas | Dominant in North and West. |
| The Rashtrakutas | Dominant in Deccan, frequently intervening in northern politics. |
3. The Palas (750–1150 AD)
| Pala Capital | Munger (Muddagiri), Bihar. |
| Gopala (750 AD) | Founded empire; elected by people to end state of Matsyanyaya (anarchy). |
| Dharmapala (770–810 AD) | Revived Nalanda University; founded Vikramshila University (Bhagalpur, Bihar). |
| Pala Literature | Sena dynasty succeeded Palas in Bengal. Court poet Jayadeva authored Gita Govinda during reign of Laxman Sen. |
4. The Pratiharas (730–1036 AD)
| Pratihara Origin | Began in Gujarat and Southwestern Rajasthan. |
| Bhoja / Mihira Bhoja (836–882 AD) | Greatest ruler of dynasty. Devout follower of Vishnu; assumed title Adivarah. Reign saw zenith of Pratihara power. |
5. The Rashtrakutas (752–973 AD)
| Dantidurga | Established capital at Manyakheta (Gulbarga, Karnataka). |
| Amoghavarsha (814–878 AD) | Ruled for 64 years; patronised Jainism and literature. Authored Kavirajamarga, earliest Kannada book on poetics. |
| Krishna I | Commissioned monolithic rock-cut Kailash Temple (Shiva) at Ellora. |
6. Key Battles & Rulers
| Prithviraj Chauhan (1178–1192 AD) | Ruler of Ajmer and Delhi. |
| First Battle of Tarain (1191) | Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori. |
| Second Battle of Tarain (1192) | Prithviraj defeated and killed by Ghori, leading to establishment of Muslim rule in North India. |
| Jai Chand Gadhawal & Battle of Chandawar (1194) | Jai Chand Gadhawal of Kannauj defeated and killed by Muhammad Ghori at Battle of Chandawar. |
| Rana Kumbha (1433–1468 AD) | Sisodiya ruler of Mewar. Erected Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) at Chittor to commemorate victory over Mahmud Khilji. |
7. Society, Religion & Architecture
| Society & Caste | Caste system became extremely rigid; Rajputs emerged as distinct warrior class defined by codes of chivalry and hospitality. |
| Nagara Architecture: Khajuraho | Built by Chandelas in MP; includes Kandariya Mahadev temple. |
| Nagara Architecture: Odisha | Lingaraja Temple (Bhubaneshwar), Sun Temple (Konark), and Jagannath Temple (Puri). |
| Nagara Architecture: Rajasthan | Dilwara Jain Temples at Mount Abu (Solanki style). |
UPSC High-Yield Recall & PYQ Targets
| Rashtrakuta Founder | Dantidurga founded Rashtrakuta dynasty. |
| Vikramshila University Founder | Dharmapala founded Vikramshila University. |
| Tarain Battles Significance | Marked shift from Rajput to Turkish rule in North India. |
| Literary Authors | Jayadeva wrote Gita Govinda; Amoghavarsha wrote Kavirajamarga. |
| Agnikula Theory | Refers to mythological origin of four Rajput clans (Chauhan, Pratihara, Parmar, Solanki) from a sacrificial fire at Mt. Abu. |
Supplemental Asset Directory
- Pala Empire Overview:
- Vikramshila University:
- Ellora Kailasa Temple:
- Modhera Sun Temple:
- Jagannath Puri Temple Rath:
