Early Medieval Dynasties: Northern & Deccan (750-1200 CE)
1. The Regional Powerhouse (1000-1200 CE)
A. Paramaras of Malwa (Capital: Dhara)
- Munja (Utpala/Vakpatiraja II): Sacked Tripuri. Titles: Amoghavarsha, Prithvivallabha.
- Bhoja (c. 1010-1055 CE): Greatest ruler; polymath (wrote on grammar, yoga, chemistry).
- Established Bhoj Shala (Sanskrit center) and Sarasvti Temple at Dhar.
- Built Bhojpur city and Bhojeshwar Temple.
- Biography: Nava-Sahasanka-Charita by Padmagupta (about Sindhuraja).
B. Solankis / Chalukyas of Gujarat (Capital: Anahilapataka)
- Bhima I: Reign saw Somnath raid (1025) by Mahmud of Ghazni.
- Built Modhera Sun Temple.
- Rani-ki-vav (UNESCO) built by Queen Udaymati.
- Dilwara Temples: Vimal Vasahi (dedicated to Rishabha) built by his minister Vimalsha.
- Jay SIMHA Siddharaja: Conquered Malwa. Rudra Mahakala Temple (Siddhapur).
- Bhima II: Defeated Muhammad Ghori at Battle of Kayadara (1178).
C. Chahamanas (Chauhans) of Ajmer
- Vigraharaja IV (Visaldev): Captured Delhi from Tomars. Authored drama Harikeli Nataka.
- Prithviraj III (Rai Pithora): Famous for Battles of Tarain (1191 victory, 1192 defeat).
- Court Poets: Chandbardai (Prithviraj Raso), Jayanaka (Prithviraj Vijaya).
D. Chandellas of Bundelkhand (Jejakabhukti)
- Capital: Khajuraho (earlier), Mahoba (later).
- Khajuraho Temples:
- Lakshmana Temple: Built by Yashovarman.
- Vishvanatha Temple: Built by Dhanga-Deva (first independent king).
- Kandariya Mahadeva Temple: Built by Vidyadhara (resisted Mahmud of Ghazni).
E. Kashmir and North-West
- Source: Rajatarangini (Kalhana, 12th c. CE).
- Karkota Dynasty: Lalitaditya (Muktapida) built the grand Martand Sun Temple.
- Utpala Dynasty: Avanti Varman built Avantiswami Temple; innovated in irrigation (Mahapadma/Wular lake).
- Queens of Power: Didda (regent/ruler for 50 years), Sugandha, Yashovati.
- Hindu Shahis: Jayapala and Anandapala (Battle of Chach) offered fierce resistance to Ghaznavids.
F. Senas of Bengal (Karnataka Origins)
- Vijay Sena: Deopara Inscription. Long reign of 60 years.
- Ballal Sena: Associated with Kulinism. Wrote Danasagara and Adbhutsagara.
- Lakshmana Sena: First Bengali ruler to extend power beyond Varanasi. Defeated by Bakhtiyar Khilji.
2. The Tripartite Era (750-1000 CE)
- Palas: Gopala (elected to end Matsyanyaya); Dharmapala (Vikramshila); Devapala (Sailendra link).
- Gurjara-Pratiharas: Nagabhatta I (Arab block); Mihira Bhoja (Adivaraha, best cavalry).
- Rashtrakutas: Dantidurga (Founder); Krishna I (Kailasa Temple); Amoghavarsha ("Ashoka of South").
3. Top UPSC Traps (Caution)
- Araghatta: Refers to the Persian Wheel used for irrigation in this period.
- Karkota vs Utpala: Martand (Sun) is Karkota (Lalitaditya); Avantiswami is Utpala (Avanti Varman).
- Queen Didda: She was the granddaughter of a Hindu Shahi king and ruled Kashmir for nearly 50 years.
- Tomara Connection: Anangapala Tomara is credited with founding the city of Delhi (Lal Kot).
- Rajput Origin: The Agnikula myth (Mt. Abu) applies to Pratiharas, Chauhans, Chandellas, and Paramaras.
Early Medieval Dynasties: Northern & Deccan (750-1200 CE)
1. The Regional Powerhouse (1000-1200 CE)
A. Paramaras of Malwa (Capital: Dhara)
- Munja (Utpala/Vakpatiraja II): Sacked Tripuri. Titles: Amoghavarsha, Prithvivallabha.
- Bhoja (c. 1010-1055 CE): Greatest ruler; polymath (wrote on grammar, yoga, chemistry).
- Established Bhoj Shala (Sanskrit center) and Sarasvti Temple at Dhar.
- Built Bhojpur city and Bhojeshwar Temple.
- Biography: Nava-Sahasanka-Charita by Padmagupta (about Sindhuraja).
B. Solankis / Chalukyas of Gujarat (Capital: Anahilapataka)
- Bhima I: Reign saw Somnath raid (1025) by Mahmud of Ghazni.
- Built Modhera Sun Temple.
- Rani-ki-vav (UNESCO) built by Queen Udaymati.
- Dilwara Temples: Vimal Vasahi (dedicated to Rishabha) built by his minister Vimalsha.
- Jay SIMHA Siddharaja: Conquered Malwa. Rudra Mahakala Temple (Siddhapur).
- Bhima II: Defeated Muhammad Ghori at Battle of Kayadara (1178).
C. Chahamanas (Chauhans) of Ajmer
- Vigraharaja IV (Visaldev): Captured Delhi from Tomars. Authored drama Harikeli Nataka.
- Prithviraj III (Rai Pithora): Famous for Battles of Tarain (1191 victory, 1192 defeat).
- Court Poets: Chandbardai (Prithviraj Raso), Jayanaka (Prithviraj Vijaya).
D. Chandellas of Bundelkhand (Jejakabhukti)
- Capital: Khajuraho (earlier), Mahoba (later).
- Khajuraho Temples:
- Lakshmana Temple: Built by Yashovarman.
- Vishvanatha Temple: Built by Dhanga-Deva (first independent king).
- Kandariya Mahadeva Temple: Built by Vidyadhara (resisted Mahmud of Ghazni).
E. Kashmir and North-West
- Source: Rajatarangini (Kalhana, 12th c. CE).
- Karkota Dynasty: Lalitaditya (Muktapida) built the grand Martand Sun Temple.
- Utpala Dynasty: Avanti Varman built Avantiswami Temple; innovated in irrigation (Mahapadma/Wular lake).
- Queens of Power: Didda (regent/ruler for 50 years), Sugandha, Yashovati.
- Hindu Shahis: Jayapala and Anandapala (Battle of Chach) offered fierce resistance to Ghaznavids.
F. Senas of Bengal (Karnataka Origins)
- Vijay Sena: Deopara Inscription. Long reign of 60 years.
- Ballal Sena: Associated with Kulinism. Wrote Danasagara and Adbhutsagara.
- Lakshmana Sena: First Bengali ruler to extend power beyond Varanasi. Defeated by Bakhtiyar Khilji.
2. The Tripartite Era (750-1000 CE)
- Palas: Gopala (elected to end Matsyanyaya); Dharmapala (Vikramshila); Devapala (Sailendra link).
- Gurjara-Pratiharas: Nagabhatta I (Arab block); Mihira Bhoja (Adivaraha, best cavalry).
- Rashtrakutas: Dantidurga (Founder); Krishna I (Kailasa Temple); Amoghavarsha ("Ashoka of South").
3. Top UPSC Traps (Caution)
- Araghatta: Refers to the Persian Wheel used for irrigation in this period.
- Karkota vs Utpala: Martand (Sun) is Karkota (Lalitaditya); Avantiswami is Utpala (Avanti Varman).
- Queen Didda: She was the granddaughter of a Hindu Shahi king and ruled Kashmir for nearly 50 years.
- Tomara Connection: Anangapala Tomara is credited with founding the city of Delhi (Lal Kot).
- Rajput Origin: The Agnikula myth (Mt. Abu) applies to Pratiharas, Chauhans, Chandellas, and Paramaras.