Early Medieval & Rajputa Period Notes with PDF

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Medieval Indian Dynasties & History

The Chauhan Dynasty (Chahamanas of Ajmer)

• Identity & Lineage
  • Prithviraj Chauhan is historically identified as Prithviraj-III.
  • The dynasty claimed to be Suryavanshi (Descendants of the Sun), as per the Hammer Mahakavya.
• Major Events under Prithviraj Chauhan
  • Famously defeated Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain (1191 AD).
  • Later defeated by Muhammad Ghori in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 AD).
• Literature
  • Prithviraj Raso: Authored by his court poet, Chand Bardai.
  • Prithviraja Vijaya: Authored by Jayanaka.

The Chandelas of Jejakabhukti (Bundelkhand)

• Territory
  • Their region, Bundelkhand, was anciently known as Jejakabhukti.
  • Famous warriors Alha and Udal were generals who served King Paramardi (Parmal) Dev (c. 1165-1203 CE) from Mahoba.
• Key Rulers & Constructions
  • King Dhangdev (Dhanga) constructed the Kandariya Mahadev Temple.
• Conflicts & Literature
  • Alha and Udal died fighting against Prithviraj Chauhan.
  • This conflict is documented in:
    • Prithviraj Raso by Chand Bardai
    • Parmal Raso (likely also by Chand Bardai)
    • Alha Khand by Jagnik

The Pala Dynasty of Bengal & Bihar

• Foundation & Rulers
  • Founded by Gopala (750–770).
  • Important kings: Dharmapala, Devapala.
  • King Devapala had diplomatic contact with the Sailendra dynasty of Java-Sumatra.
• Educational & Religious Patronage
  • Dharmapala established:
    • Vikramshila University (primary center after Nalanda’s decline).
    • The Sompura Mahavihar at Paharpur.
  • He was a devout Buddhist, titled ‘Param Saugat’.
• Territory
  • The ancient administrative division of Pundravardhana Bhukti was located in North Bengal.

The Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty

• Founding & Origin
  • Founded by Nagabhata I (730-756 AD).
  • A powerful Rajput group from the Agni clan.
  • Earliest references found in the Aihole inscription of Pulakesin-II and Banabhatta’s Harshacharita.
• Major Rulers
  • Key rulers: Nagabhata I, Vatsaraja, Nagabhata II, Mihir Bhoja, Mahendrapala I, Devapala.
  • Mihir Bhoja (836-885 AD) was the most powerful ruler; a Vaishnavite follower with titles ‘Aadi Varaha’ and ‘Prabhas’.
• Power Center & Conflicts
  • Initial base: Ujjain. Capital later shifted to Kannauj.
  • Primary participant in the Tripartite Struggle (vs. Palas and Rashtrakutas) for control of Kannauj, which they won.

The Rashtrakuta Dynasty

• Founding
  • Founded by Dantidurga (Dantivarman) in 736 AD.
  • He performed a ritual called ‘Hiranya-Garbha’.
• Capital & Rulers
  • Capital: Manyakheta.
  • Notable Ruler: Amoghavarsha (Amoghavarasha), born in a military camp on the banks of the Narmada River.

The Paramara Dynasty

• Founding & Rule
  • Founded by Upendra Krishnaraj.
  • Capitals: Initially Ujjain, later moved to Dhar.
  • Most famous ruler: King Bhoja (ruled from Dhar).
• Cultural & Scholarly Contributions
  • King Bhoja built the Bhojshala Temple in Dhar (1035 AD), dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
  • He authored scholarly works, including:
    • Samarangana Sutradhara (on architecture and scientific equipment)
    • Saraswati Kanthabharan
    • Rajamartand
    • Yukta Kalptaru

Other Important Dynasties & Rulers

• Gahadavalas
  • The Gahadavalas were a Rajput dynasty around the cities of Varanasi and Kannauj.
  • Rose to power after the decline of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty.
  • Defeated by the Ghurids in 1194
  • Queen Kumaradevi, consort of King Govind Chandra, was a Buddhist.
  • She constructed the Dharmachakra-Jaina Vihara at Sarnath.
• Tomars
  • Founded the city of Dhillika (Delhi) in the 8th century.
• Sena Dynasty
  • Notable Ruler: Lakshmana Sena.
  • Achievement: Initiated a new calendar era, ‘Laxmana Samvat’.
• Chalukyas of Gujarat
  • King Jayasimha Siddharaja was known for religious tolerance; granted aid to restore a demolished mosque in Khambhat.
• Kalachuris
  • King Gangeyadev took the title Vikramaditya.
  • He revived the minting of gold coins in the medieval period.
• Capital Cities of Dynasties
  • Chola Dynasty: Tanjore
  • Solanki Dynasty (Chaulukyas of Gujarat): Anhilwara

Centers of Learning & Education

1. Vikramshila University

• Founder: King Dharmapala of the Pala Dynasty.
• Time Period: Founded between 770-810 AD.
• Location: Bhagalpur, Bihar (modern-day).
• Purpose: Primary center for Buddhist teachings after the decline of Nalanda.
• Curriculum: Vedic literature, ceremonies, reasoning, medicine, law, astronomy, city planning.

2. Other Ancient Universities

• Nalanda: Established in the 5th century by Kumar Gupta; destroyed in the 12th century.
• Odantapuri: Established during the Pala rule.
• Taxila (Takshashila): An ancient center in modern-day Pakistan; capital of Gandhara.

Scholars, Jurists, and Poets

• Jurists
  • Vigyanesvara: Wrote the legal treatise Mitakshara.
  • Jimutavahana: Wrote the legal treatise Dayabhaga.
  • Hemadri: A famous jurist.
• Poets & Scholars
  • Rajashekhara: Sanskrit poet/dramatist in the court of Pratihara king Mahendrapala I.
  • Hemchandra: Jain scholar in the court of Solanki king Kumarapala.
  • Vakpati: Court poet of King Yasovarman of Kannauj; wrote Gaudavaho.

Kingdoms, Trade, and Geography

• The Kakatiya Kingdom
  • Important Seaport: Motupalli (now in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh).
  • Visited by Marco Polo; its inscriptions detail taxes on goods like silk, pearls, spices, and metals.
• Regional Places
  • Khajuraho: Located in the Bundelkhand region.
  • Tirupati: Located in the Rayalaseema region.
  • Other notes: Bodhgaya (Gaya district), Shirdi (Ahmednagar), Nashik (Maharashtra).
• The City of Kannauj
  • After Harsha’s death, it became the coveted center of power (like Magadha for Guptas).
  • Ancient names: Mahodaya, Mahodaya Shri, and Nagar Mahoday Shri (during Mihir Bhoja’s reign).
• Economic Terminology
  • ‘Araghatta’: Refers to a waterwheel used for irrigation; an animal-powered Persian water-lifting device.

Historical Literature (Summary)

• • Narpati Nalha wrote Bisaldev Raso
  • Suja Ji wrote Rao Jaitsi Ro Chand
  • Ram Raso is written by Madhodas
  • Jaisingh Suri (or Jayasimha Suri) was a Jain scholar who wrote the historical play “Hammiramardana”

Know More about Early Medieval & Rajputa Period:

• Early Medieval and; Rajputa Period One Liner Questions & Answers
• Early Medieval and; Rajputa Period – Old Year Questions and Answers