Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty
Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, either of two dynasties of medieval Hindu India. The line of Harichandra ruled in Mandor, Marwar (Jodhpur, Rajasthan), during the 6th to 9th centuries CE, generally with feudatory status. The line of Nagabhata ruled first at Ujjain and later at Kannauj during the 8th to 11th centuries. Other Gurjara lines existed, but they did not take the surname Pratihara.
The origin of the Gurjaras is uncertain. A view once widely held was that they entered India in the wake of the Hephthalites (White Huns or Hunas), who had invaded India in the 5th century and were connected with the Khazars. Now, however, most historians believe the Gurjaras had an indigenous origin. The name Gurjara does not appear before the end of the 6th century.
The relation of the earlier Harichandra line with the later and more important line of Nagabhata is uncertain. The founder of the later line, Nagabhata I (8th century), appears to have ruled in Malwa, and his grandnephew Vatsaraja is attested as king of Ujjain in 783. Vatsaraja suffered a great defeat at the hands of the Rastrakutas, and both he and his son Nagabhata II seem to have accepted Rastrakuta suzerainty for a time. In the complicated and badly documented wars of the early 9th century—involving Pratiharas, Rastrakutas, and Palas—Nagabhata II played an important part. About 816 he invaded the Indo-Gangetic Plain and captured Kannauj from the local king Chakrayudha, who had the protection of the Pala ruler Dharmapala. With the power of the Rastrakutas weakened, Nagabhata II became the most powerful ruler of northern India and established his new capital at Kannauj. Nagabhata II was succeeded by his son Ramabhadra about 833, who after a brief reign was succeeded by his son Mihira Bhoja about 836. Under Bhoja and his successor Mahendrapala (reigned c. 890–910), the Pratihara empire reached its peak of prosperity and power. The extent of its territory rivaled that of the Guptas and, in the time of Mahendrapala, reached from Gujarat and Kathiawar to northern Bengal, though much of it was loosely held under vassal kings.
After the death of Mahendrapala, the SUCCESSION is obscure. The power of the Pratiharas was apparently weakened by dynastic strife. It was further diminished as a result of a great raid from the Deccan, led by the Rastrakuta king Indra III, who about 916 sacked Kannauj. Under a succession of rather obscure kings, the Pratiharas never regained their former influence. Their feudatories became more and more powerful, one by one throwing off their allegiance until by the end of the 10th century the Pratiharas controlled little more than the Gangetic doab. Their last important king, Rajyapala, was driven from Kannauj by Maḥmūd of Ghazna in 1018 and was later killed by the forces of the Chandela king Vidyadhara. For about a generation longer a small Pratihara principality apparently survived in the area of Allahabad.,
The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was a major Indian dynasty that ruled over much of northern India from the 7th to the 11th centuries. The dynasty was founded by Nagabhata I in the 7th century, and reached its peak under the rule of Mihira Bhoja in the 9th century. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a powerful and influential dynasty, and their rule saw a period of great cultural and Economic Development in northern India. The dynasty came to an end in the 11th century, when it was overthrown by the Ghaznavids.
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a Rajput dynasty, and their name is derived from the words “Gurjara” and “Pratihara”. The Gurjaras were a people who lived in northwestern India, and the Pratiharas were a clan of the Gurjaras. The Gurjara-Pratiharas originally ruled over a small kingdom in northwestern India, but they gradually expanded their territory until they controlled much of northern India.
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a powerful military power, and they were able to defeat many of their enemies. They were also patrons of the arts and sciences, and they oversaw a period of great cultural and economic development in northern India. The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty came to an end in the 11th century, when it was overthrown by the Ghaznavids.
The medieval history of Madhya Pradesh is a long and complex one. The region was ruled by a number of different dynasties, including the Gurjara-Pratiharas. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a powerful and influential dynasty, and their rule saw a period of great cultural and economic development in Madhya Pradesh.
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were originally a small kingdom in northwestern India. However, they gradually expanded their territory until they controlled much of northern India. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a powerful military power, and they were able to defeat many of their enemies. They were also patrons of the arts and sciences, and they oversaw a period of great cultural and economic development in northern India.
The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty came to an end in the 11th century, when it was overthrown by the Ghaznavids. The Ghaznavids were a Muslim dynasty from Central Asia. They invaded India in the 11th century, and they quickly conquered much of the northern part of the country. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were unable to resist the Ghaznavids, and they were overthrown in 1019.
The fall of the Gurjara-Pratiharas marked the end of an era in the history of Madhya Pradesh. The region was subsequently ruled by a number of different dynasties, including The Chandelas, the Tomaras, and the Mughals. However, the Gurjara-Pratiharas left a lasting legacy on the region. Their rule saw a period of great cultural and economic development, and their temples and monuments are still standing today.
The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was a medieval Indian dynasty that ruled over much of northern India from the 7th to the 11th centuries. The dynasty was founded by Nagabhata I in the 7th century, and its capital was at Kannauj. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a powerful dynasty, and they were able to maintain control over a large territory for several centuries. However, they were eventually overthrown by the Ghaznavids in the 11th century.
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a Hindu dynasty, and they were patrons of Hindu art and architecture. They built many temples and monasteries, and they also supported the arts. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were also known for their military prowess, and they were able to defeat many of their enemies.
The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was a significant dynasty in Indian history. They were able to maintain control over a large territory for several centuries, and they were patrons of Hindu art and architecture. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were also known for their military prowess, and they were able to defeat many of their enemies.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty:
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Who were the Gurjara-Pratiharas?
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a medieval Indian dynasty that ruled over much of northern India from the 7th to the 11th centuries. The dynasty was founded by Nagabhata I in the 7th century, and its capital was at Kannauj. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a powerful dynasty, and they were able to maintain control over a large territory for several centuries. However, they were eventually overthrown by the Ghaznavids in the 11th century. -
When did the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty rule?
The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty ruled from the 7th to the 11th centuries. -
Where did the Gurjara-Pratiharas rule?
The Gurjara-Pratiharas ruled over much of northern India. -
Who was the founder of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty?
The founder of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was Nagabhata I. -
What was the capital of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty?
The capital of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was Kannauj. -
What was the religion of the Gurjara-Pratiharas?
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were Hindus. -
What were some of the achievements of the Gurjara-Pratiharas?
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a powerful dynasty, and they were able to maintain control over a large territory for several centuries. They were also patrons of Hindu art and architecture. -
What were some of the challenges faced by the Gurjara-Pratiharas?
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were eventually overthrown by the Ghaznavids in the 11th century. -
What is the legacy of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty?
The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was a significant dynasty in Indian history. They were able to maintain control over a large territory for several centuries, and they were patrons of Hindu art and architecture. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were also known for their military prowess, and they were able to defeat many of their enemies.
Here are some MCQs about the medieval history of Madhya Pradesh:
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Which of the following dynasties ruled over Madhya Pradesh in the medieval period?
(A) The Gurjara-Pratiharas
(B) The Chandelas
(C) The Tomaras
(D) All of the above -
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of northern India from the 7th to the 11th centuries. Their capital was located at Kannauj, in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Chandelas were a Rajput dynasty that ruled over Bundelkhand, in present-day Madhya Pradesh, from the 10th to the 13th centuries. Their capital was located at Khajuraho, which is famous for its temples.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Tomaras were a Rajput dynasty that ruled over Malwa, in present-day Madhya Pradesh, from the 7th to the 13th centuries. Their capital was located at Dhar.
(A) True
(B) False -
The medieval period in Madhya Pradesh was a time of great political and cultural change. The region was ruled by a number of different dynasties, each with its own unique culture and traditions.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Gurjara-Pratiharas were patrons of the arts and sciences. They built many temples and palaces, and supported a number of scholars and artists.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Chandelas were also patrons of the arts and sciences. They built many temples, including the famous Khajuraho temples, and supported a number of scholars and artists.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Tomaras were not as interested in the arts and sciences as the Gurjara-Pratiharas and the Chandelas. They were more concerned with military matters.
(A) True
(B) False -
The medieval period in Madhya Pradesh came to an end with the arrival of the Mughals in the 16th century.
(A) True
(B) False -
The Mughals were a Muslim dynasty that ruled over much of India from the 16th to the 18th centuries. They were a powerful and influential dynasty, and their rule had a profound impact on the history of India.
(A) True
(B) False