Table of Contents:
- About Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty
- Ruler of Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty
- Decline of Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty
- Art and Culture of the Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty
- Descriptive Questions:
- Who were the parties involved in the "Tripartite struggle"?
About Gurjar Pratihara:
The Gurjar Pratihara dynasty, also known as the Pratira Empire or Gurjar Empire, was a major medieval Indian dynasty that ruled a significant part of North India from the 8th to 11th century.
The Gurjar Pratihara dynasty was of Rajput origin and played an important role in shaping the political landscape of the Indian subcontinent during his time.
Origin:
The Gurjar Pratihara dynasty was founded by Nagabhatta I, who established his rule from the present Rajasthan in the middle of the 8th century. He initially controlled Ujjain, but later he also controlled Kannauj.
The dynasty received its name from the Gurjara tribe, to which Nagabhatta I belonged.
Initially, Gurjar Pratihara was feudal of the Rashtrakuta Empire, but he gradually claimed his freedom and emerged as a powerful regional power.
Capital:
His initial capital was Avanti in Malwa where he controlled the expansion of Arabs. His capital was later transferred to Kannauj.
Extension and Golden Age:
Nagabhatta I and his successors expanded their dominance to the Gurjar Pratihara dynasty mainly at the expense of Rashtrakut.
Bhoj I, the successor of Nagabhatta I, is credited with important regional benefits. However, it was during the reign of his successor, Mahendrapal I (885–910 CE), that the empire reached its extreme zenith.
Mahendra Pal I is considered one of the greatest rulers of the Gurjar Pratihara dynasty. He expanded the boundaries of the empire to incorporate vast areas, which include parts of present-day Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. His military operations resulted in the defeat of Rashtrakutas and Kannauj, a strategically important city of North India, was controlled.
The Gurjar Pratihara dynasty also culturally flourished. He preserved art, literature, and architecture, and became the center of his capital city, Kannauj, learning and artistic expression. The famous Sanskrit poet Rajasekhar, the author of the famous work "Kavimimas", was in the court of Mahendrapal I.
legacy:
The Gurjar Pratihara dynasty left a permanent impact on Indian history. He played an important role in opposing Arabia and Central Asian invasions and preserving Indian cultural and religious traditions.
The conservation of the empire of art and literature contributed to the development of regional cultures. Kannauj, his capital, remained an important political and cultural center for the coming centuries to come.
He inspired the Rajput clans, which emerged as major forces in the medieval period and put forward Rajputana's legacy. Many Rajput dynasties claimed a descendant from the Gurjaras, which increased their reputation and position.
The ruler of the Gurjar Pratihara dynasty:
The following Gurjars are some notable rulers of the Pratihara dynasty:
Nagabhatta I (730-760 CE):
Nagabhatta I is considered the founder of the Gurjar Pratihara dynasty. He established his rule in the region of present Rajasthan and laid the foundation of the power of the dynasty.
Nagabhatta I enhanced his control over Malwa, Gwalior, and Bharach ports in Gujarat.
He founded his capital in Avanti in Malwa and prevented the expansion of billions.
Nagabhatta I led a union of Gurjar-Prathara to defeat Muslim Arabs. He defeated Junaid and Tamin's Arab Army during the Khalifa campaigns in India.
Vatsaraja (760-780 CE):
Vatsaraja carried forward the kingdom of Nagabhatta I and continued to expand the empire.
Nagabhatta II (780-833 CE):
Nagabhatta was one of the most powerful rulers of the second dynasty. He expanded the regions of the empire and successfully defended against Arab attacks. He is also known for the protection of scholars and poets.
According to Bakula's inscription, Nagabhatta II took the title of Parbhattarka Maharajdhiraj Parmeshwar.
Bhoj I (836-885 CE):
Bhoj was the grandson of Nagabhatta II.
Bhoja was the famous ruler of the first Gurjar Pratihara dynasty.
The Barah copper plate inscription in Mahode (Kannauj) was written during the first rule.
Bhoj was a devotee of Vishnu and assumed the title of Adivara which is inscribed on some of his coins.
Initially, Pala was defeated by Rashtrakuta, but later they expanded the boundaries of the empire and defeated the Rashtrakutas in many battles.
He built the city of Bhojpal (Bhopal).
Mahendrapal I (885-910 CE):
Mahendra Pal I is considered one of the greatest rulers of the dynasty. Under his reign, the empire reached its area. He expanded the regions of the empire and established control over the important city of Kannauj.
Mahipala I (910-912 CE):
Mahipala was the successor of the first Mahendrapala I, but he had a small rule. He faced attacks from the Rashtrakutas and Palas.
Bhoj II (912-921 CE):
Bhoj II faced several challenges during his reign, including Rashtrakutas and conflict with Chandela.
During his reign, Kannauj was attacked by the Rashtrakut Raja (Indra III), who destroyed the city which was a pioneer for the weakening of the Pratira Empire.
Al Masoudi has referred to Pratihara as the great military power and the wealth of Al-Juraz (Gurjara) and Raja Baura (Adiwara).
Mahipala II (921-944 CE):
Mahipala II is known for his military operations against Rashtrakutas. He successfully removed his attacks and preserved areas of the empire.
Devpala (944-954 CE):
Devpala faced internal conflicts and invasions with the Rashtrakutas during his reign. His rule marked the beginning of the decline of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty.
Vinayakpal (954-955 CE):
Vinayakpal's rule was small and marked by instability and conflicts within the empire.
Rajyapal (955-967 CE):
The Rajyapal faced constant pressure from the Rashtrakutas and saw a further decline in the power of the empire.
Fall and disintegration of the Gurjar Pratihara dynasty:
After the death of Mahendrapala I, the Gurjar Pratihara dynasty faced internal conflicts and external invasions, which gradually weakened his grip on power.
Under the leadership of Mahmud Ghazni, started a series of invasions in North India in the early 11th century. Mahmud's invasion was particularly disastrous for Gurjars. He looted his capital Kannauj and gave a severe blow to the empire.
Frequent invasions by Mahmud Ghazni further weakened the Gurjars, making them sensitive to other emerging powers.
The Gurjar Pratihara suffered greatly due to the attack of the Rashtrakutas and Pala rulers. The Paramara dynasty, which was feudal of Gurjaras, also claimed his freedom. Chandela and Chauhan emerged as new regional powers that caused the collapse and disintegration of the Gurjar Pratihara dynasty.
Art and Culture Gurjar Pratihara Dynasty:
The Gurjar was known for its rich art and cultural protection. He promoted a lively artistic and intellectual atmosphere during his reign.
Following are some aspects of the art and culture of Gurjara Pratihara:
Architecture:
Gurjara Pratiharas protected the temple architecture. He built several temples in his areas, characterized by complex carvings and wide sculptures. The temples often followed the Nagra style of architecture, characterized by long spires and ornate decorations.
The temples of Khajuraho and Bateshwar are remarkable examples of Gurjar Pratihara architecture.
Sculpture:
The sculptures were carved complicated, which displayed high levels of craftsmanship. The idols depict various Hindu deities, mythological beings, and scenes of Hindu mythology. The sculptures often embellish the walls and columns of the temple, which reflect the religious and artistic enthusiasm of the dynasty.
Literature:
Gurjara was a great patron of perfect literature. Kannauj, his capital, became the center of learning and scholarship. Many Sanskrit scholars, poets, and writers Gurjara were associated with the court. The poet's poet Rajasekhar is known for his work "Kavamims," during Mahendrapal's reign.
Painting:
Although there is relatively less information available about painting during the Gurjara period, it is believed that painting traditions have been completed. In temples and caves, the murals, such as in Bateshwar and Dancing, present a glimpse into the artistic traditions of the era.
Descriptive Questions on Pratihara Dynasty:
Question.
Who were the parties involved in the "Tripartite struggle"? ( NCERT)
Answer.
The Tripartite Struggle, also known as the Tripartite Struggle for control over Kannauj, was a historical conflict that took place between the 8th and 10th centuries ( fought almost for 200 years).
It primarily involved three major powers of that time:
Pratihara Dynasty:
The Pratiharas were a powerful dynasty that ruled over a large part of northern and central India. They were centered in present-day Rajasthan and their capital was Kannauj.
The Pratiharas were initially the dominant force in the region and played a significant role in the Tripartite struggle.
Rashtrakuta Dynasty:
The Rashtrakutas were a dynasty that originated in the Deccan region of southern India. They expanded their influence and established their rule over a vast territory, including parts of present-day Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. The Rashtrakutas wanted to expand their kingdom further north, and their conflict with the Pratiharas was a significant aspect of the Tripartite struggle.
Pala Dynasty:
The Palas were a dynasty that ruled over the Bengal and Bihar regions of eastern India. They had their capital in present-day Bengal and were known for their patronage of Buddhism and intellectual pursuits. The Palas also participated in the Tripartite struggle, mainly in their efforts to gain control over Kannauj and expand their influence.
These three powers, the Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, and Palas, were the primary parties involved in the Tripartite struggle. They fought for control over the fertile and strategically important region of Kannauj, which was considered a significant power center during that time.
According to contemporary accounts, the Rashtrakutas had the best infantry, the Gurjara-Pratihara had the finest cavalry, and the Pala had the largest elephant force. In this tripartite struggle, the Pratihara defeated the Pala and Rashtrakuta.
In 1018, Ruler of Kannauj, Rajayapal Pratihara was sacked by Mahmood Ghazni. The empire broke into many independent Rajput states.
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