Source: insightsonindia
1. Major Dynasties of Early Medieval Period
Source:
Prithvirajraso written by Chandbadrai is the first major source for Rajput
history.
According to this book Rajputs were originated from a fire sacrifice
performed at Mt.Abu .
Prithviraj Raso is considered as the one of first book in Hindi language.
Colnel James Todd wrote “Annals of Rajputana” or “ Rajasthan
Kathavali”,According to James Todd Rajputs were descedents of HUNs
Somadeva suri’s “Kathasaritha sagara” also gives details of Rajputs
Rashtrakuta poet Pampa also mention about Gujara in his book.
Political history:
They ruled Rajasthan and Gujrat region
They claimed their origin from Laxman.
Prathiharas acted as bulwarks against Islamic invaders
Nagabhatta- 1 was most famous and prominent king , he came into conflict
with Rashtrakuta king Dhruva(tripartiate warfare for Kannauj)
Nagabhtta was followed by Vatsaraja
Vatsaraja defeated Dharmapala of Pala dynasty, but lost to Dhruv of
Rashtrakuta dynasty.
, Mihirbhoj was greatest among Prathiharas, he defeated Narayanpala of Pala
. He ruled long for 46 years.
Mihirbhoj was mentioned by Arab travelers .Abu suleman called him king
Juzr, al-masudi called king Baura.
Last king Rajyapala was defeated by Krishna 3 of Rashtrakuta and Ghazni
mohammed.
From 1000 AD onwards Prathiharas became weak due to internal conflicts
and rise in feudal lords.
This lead to fragmentation of Rajput
(Note: details of these Rajput kingdoms will be covered under subheading Rajput
kingdoms)
Architecture:
There are notable examples of architecture from the Gurjara-Pratihara era,
including sculptures and carved panels.
They started Maru- Gujara style of architecture
Examples:
o Bateshwar Hindu temples complex, located near Gwalior(MP)
Dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti.
o Baroli temple complex
,The Palas
PALAS (750-1162 AD)
Political History
The Pala dynasty ruled from 8th century to 12th century CE in the regions comprising
Bihar and Bengal.
Sashanka, the Gauda ruler, believed to have ruled between 590 and 625 CE,
is considered the frst prominent king of ancient Bengal. After the fall of the
Gauda kingdom, there was no central authority, which led to recurring wars
between petty chieftains.
So, in 750 CE, a group of chiefs met and decided on a “Kshatriya chief ”
named Gopala to be their ruler.
Gopala I was succeeded by his son
Dharmapala (770–815 CE ), he was the first to control Kanyakubja.
His title was uttarapatha swamin(master of northern India)
Dharmapala established vikramashila, Jagaddella,
He patronised Harisbhadra, a Buddhist writer.
Dharmapala’s son Devapala extended Pala control eastwards up to
Kamarupa (Assam). He defeated Amoghavarsha, the Rashtrakuta ruler.
, Devapala was succeeded by Vigramapala, Rajyapala, Gopala III,
Vigramapala II.
The fortunes of the dynasty, however, were revived by Mahipala I, son of
Vigramapala II. He checked the advancement of Cholas beyond the Ganges.
Abdul suleman visited Pala kingdom during his tenure.
Vijayasena of the Sena dynasty who had become powerful by then in
northern Bengal expelled the last ruler Madanapala (1130–1150 CE) from
Bengal and established his dynastic rule.
Important Rulers
GOPALA
DHARMAPALA
MAHIPALA
Language
Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali
Religion
The Palas were great patrons of Mahayana Buddhism. The Buddhist
philosopher Haribhadra was the spiritual preceptor of Dharmapala.
Architecture
Various mahaviharas,Stupas ,chaityas,temples and forts were constructed.
Most of the architecture was religious with the first two hundred years
dominated by Buddhist art and the last two hundred years by Hindu art.
Among the various mahaviharas
,Nalanda,vikramashila,somapura,Traikutaka,Devikota ,Pandita ,Jagaddala
vihara are notable. Planned residential buildings for monks were made.
A large number of manuscripts on palm-leaf relating to the Buddhist themes
were written and illustrated with the images of Buddhist deities at these
centres which also had workshops for the casting of bronze images.
Somapura mahavihara at Paharpur ,a creation of Dharmapala is one of the
largest Buddhist vihara in Indian sub continent ,its architectural plan had
influenced the architecture of countries like Myanmar and Indonesia.
1. Major Dynasties of Early Medieval Period
Source:
Prithvirajraso written by Chandbadrai is the first major source for Rajput
history.
According to this book Rajputs were originated from a fire sacrifice
performed at Mt.Abu .
Prithviraj Raso is considered as the one of first book in Hindi language.
Colnel James Todd wrote “Annals of Rajputana” or “ Rajasthan
Kathavali”,According to James Todd Rajputs were descedents of HUNs
Somadeva suri’s “Kathasaritha sagara” also gives details of Rajputs
Rashtrakuta poet Pampa also mention about Gujara in his book.
Political history:
They ruled Rajasthan and Gujrat region
They claimed their origin from Laxman.
Prathiharas acted as bulwarks against Islamic invaders
Nagabhatta- 1 was most famous and prominent king , he came into conflict
with Rashtrakuta king Dhruva(tripartiate warfare for Kannauj)
Nagabhtta was followed by Vatsaraja
Vatsaraja defeated Dharmapala of Pala dynasty, but lost to Dhruv of
Rashtrakuta dynasty.
, Mihirbhoj was greatest among Prathiharas, he defeated Narayanpala of Pala
. He ruled long for 46 years.
Mihirbhoj was mentioned by Arab travelers .Abu suleman called him king
Juzr, al-masudi called king Baura.
Last king Rajyapala was defeated by Krishna 3 of Rashtrakuta and Ghazni
mohammed.
From 1000 AD onwards Prathiharas became weak due to internal conflicts
and rise in feudal lords.
This lead to fragmentation of Rajput
(Note: details of these Rajput kingdoms will be covered under subheading Rajput
kingdoms)
Architecture:
There are notable examples of architecture from the Gurjara-Pratihara era,
including sculptures and carved panels.
They started Maru- Gujara style of architecture
Examples:
o Bateshwar Hindu temples complex, located near Gwalior(MP)
Dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti.
o Baroli temple complex
,The Palas
PALAS (750-1162 AD)
Political History
The Pala dynasty ruled from 8th century to 12th century CE in the regions comprising
Bihar and Bengal.
Sashanka, the Gauda ruler, believed to have ruled between 590 and 625 CE,
is considered the frst prominent king of ancient Bengal. After the fall of the
Gauda kingdom, there was no central authority, which led to recurring wars
between petty chieftains.
So, in 750 CE, a group of chiefs met and decided on a “Kshatriya chief ”
named Gopala to be their ruler.
Gopala I was succeeded by his son
Dharmapala (770–815 CE ), he was the first to control Kanyakubja.
His title was uttarapatha swamin(master of northern India)
Dharmapala established vikramashila, Jagaddella,
He patronised Harisbhadra, a Buddhist writer.
Dharmapala’s son Devapala extended Pala control eastwards up to
Kamarupa (Assam). He defeated Amoghavarsha, the Rashtrakuta ruler.
, Devapala was succeeded by Vigramapala, Rajyapala, Gopala III,
Vigramapala II.
The fortunes of the dynasty, however, were revived by Mahipala I, son of
Vigramapala II. He checked the advancement of Cholas beyond the Ganges.
Abdul suleman visited Pala kingdom during his tenure.
Vijayasena of the Sena dynasty who had become powerful by then in
northern Bengal expelled the last ruler Madanapala (1130–1150 CE) from
Bengal and established his dynastic rule.
Important Rulers
GOPALA
DHARMAPALA
MAHIPALA
Language
Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali
Religion
The Palas were great patrons of Mahayana Buddhism. The Buddhist
philosopher Haribhadra was the spiritual preceptor of Dharmapala.
Architecture
Various mahaviharas,Stupas ,chaityas,temples and forts were constructed.
Most of the architecture was religious with the first two hundred years
dominated by Buddhist art and the last two hundred years by Hindu art.
Among the various mahaviharas
,Nalanda,vikramashila,somapura,Traikutaka,Devikota ,Pandita ,Jagaddala
vihara are notable. Planned residential buildings for monks were made.
A large number of manuscripts on palm-leaf relating to the Buddhist themes
were written and illustrated with the images of Buddhist deities at these
centres which also had workshops for the casting of bronze images.
Somapura mahavihara at Paharpur ,a creation of Dharmapala is one of the
largest Buddhist vihara in Indian sub continent ,its architectural plan had
influenced the architecture of countries like Myanmar and Indonesia.
