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Introduction.
The Gahadvala or sometime spelled as Gadhwal is a Suryavanshi Kshatriya dynasty that ruled the kingdom of Kannauj for approximately a hundred years, beginning in the late eleventh century. Rajput Rathore claim being descendants of Gaharwars
Rebuilding the Kannuj Kingdom.
The Kannauj kingdom was established in the tenth century by Som Chand, who came from Kannuaj near Allahabad; Chand ousted the Katyuri Kings originally from Katyur valley near Joshimath, who had ruled the area since the seventh century AD. Chand retained the name of Kurmanchal for the state, and Kurm for the people, leaving the capital in Champawat. Kurmanchal named this region Kumaon.
Foundation of the Gahadwar Dynasty at Kannuj.
Chandradeva founded the Kannauj Gaharwar dynasty in 1090 A.D.. Chandradeva expanded the kingdom to include Delhi, Ayodhya, and Varanasi (modern Benares). During the rule of his successor, Govindachandra, from 1114–1154, the state of Gaharwar reached the pinnacle of its power, occupying much of present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Govindachandra moved his capital from Kannauj to Varanasi. His queen Kumaradevi was a devout Buddhist, and Govindachandra was a patron of both Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries.
Expansion to Include Delhi.
During the Rajput Raaj in India, the Gaharwar king, Chandradev, successfully commanded Delhi and annexed it to his State of Kannauj. Delhi was under Pratihara Sovereignty at that time, who was being attacked by Rashtrakuta. Chandradev attacked both Rashtrakuta and Pratihara amid their battle with each other, defeated the two enemies now united against him, and took over the state of Delhi. After the Dissolution of the Pratihara empire, Chandradev fought off repeated incursions, which laid down the foundation of the renaissance era in Delhi.
Gaharwar dynasty rule of the district is proved by the discovery at Kudarkot of a copper plate grant dated in the reign of Chandradeva. Chandradeva founded the Gaharwar dynasty at Kanyakubja after defeating a chief named Gopala of Tuar clan. His jurisdiction extended over nearly all of what is modern Uttar Pradesh including this district.
Chandradeva was succeeded by Madanpala, who ruled for a very short period. Madanpala was succeeded by his son Govindachandra. Two copper plate grants of Govindachandra, dated respectively Samvat 1161, or A. D. 1104, and Samvat 1174 or 1117 A. D. have been found in Bisahi, two miles north-east of Tehsil Bidhuna. Another copper plate grant of this king dated Samvat 1166 or A. D. 1109 was found at Rahan. Govindachandra seems to have wielded substantial power in the State while he was only a Yuvaraja, or Crown Prince. He defeated the invading Muslims prior to 1109 A.D., for the Rahan plate records that he "again and again by the play of his matchless fighting" compelled the Hammira (i.e. Amir) to "lay aside his enmity". The Rahan plate further described Govindachandra as "terrific" in cleaving the frontal gloves of arrays of irresistible mighty large elephants from Gauda", which shows that Govindachandra must have made some encroachments on Magadha. In short, Govindachandra made himself a power and revised the glories of this region.
Govindachandra was succeeded by his son Vijayachandra in 1155 A. D. Like his father, Vijayachandra also successfully faced Muslim aggressions. As Vijayachandra' reign began, an unmistakable symptom of decline of the Gaharwar power manifested itself in the loss of Delhi, the Tuar rulers there stopped recognizing Vijaychandra as their sovereign and probably aligned with Chauhans of Ajmer.
The full significance of this loss was realised when, about a generation later, the Muslims attacked Delhi and occupied it, rendering the Gaharwar frontier defenceless. Vijayachandra was succeeded by his son, Jaichandra, in 1170 A. D. Jaichandra may be described as the last great king of the Gahadavala dynasty, whose power and extensive jurisdiction struck even Muslim historians. During the reign of Jaichandra, The Chauhans, from Ajmer, had annexed Delhi and were at this time bidding for supremacy in the North under Prathviraja ChauhanIII. The Chandellas were to the south there; at this time, their power was at its height. Additionally, there were repeated Muslim invasions of North-western India, which had already threatened the unity of India.
Prithviraj carried off Samyukta, daughter of Jaichandra. Samyukta's elopement with Prithviraj III, heir to the rival Chauhan Rajput kingdom to the west, is the subject of many romantic tales, although this may have been the seed of the dissension between the kingdoms. Jaichand was destined to be the last Gaharwar king of Kannauj. He sought help from Muslims of North to invade Chauhans of Ajmer-Delhi. After fall of Delhi, the city of Kannauj was also attacked by Muhammad of Ghor in 1194; Jaichandra drowned in the Ganges fighting the battle; his kingdom was conquered and sacked by Muhammad's armies. Some survivors, led by Jaichand's son or grandson Siyaji (Shiv ji), fled west to the Marwar desert region of Rajasthan, where they established themselves as rulers in the early thirteenth century, founding the Rathore clan which ruled the princely state of Marwar or Jodhpur.
Collateral Branches of Gahadvala Dynasty.
Chand Kings of Kumaon.
Another branch escaped to the Kumaon hills, where 300 years later they usurped power in Kumaon by defeating the ruling Katyuri dynasty. The Chand kings mention Rathore as their kul The present king of Kumaon is Raja Mahendra Chand of Lamakhet (Pithoragarh), married to Rani Gita Chand of Rina and has three children (Rajkumari Aakanksha Chand, Rajkumari Mallika Chand, Rajkumar Aryan Chand)
Vijaypur-Kantit.
Another grandson, Bijai Chand, fled to Kantit in the Mīrzāpur District and, overcoming the Bhar Rāja of that place, founded the family of the Gaharwār Rājas of Bijaipur-Kantit. All the other Gaharwārs trace their lineage to Benāres or Bijaipur. Dahia kingdom is an extension of this line also.
Manda Kings.
Kings of Manda trace their line from a younger brother of Jaichandra of Kannauj. The last king was Raja Vishvanath Pratap Singh of Manda, prime – minister of India from 1989-91. Gaharwar, Rathore and Bundela share the Kashyap Gautra, and Gaharwar is considered the original bloodline for both Bundela and Rathore. The Gaharwar era in India was brief, but its impact has lasted through the era of renaissance in India.
Bundela.
All the other Gaharwārs trace their lineage to Benāres or Bijaipur. Another group of warriors that migrated southward from Kannauj came to occupy territory immediately west of Daiya, Manda, and Vijaypur. This line came to be known as Bundela and gave its name to the Bundelkhand that comprises parts of both current Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
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The Gahadavala dynasty was a Hindu dynasty that ruled over parts of northern India from the 11th to the 12th centuries. They were founded by Chandradeva, who came to power in 1089. The Gahadavalas were patrons of the arts and literature, and they built many temples and palaces. They were eventually overthrown by the Chauhans in 1194.
Chandradeva was the founder of the Gahadavala dynasty. He came to power in 1089 and ruled for 20 years. During his reign, he expanded the Gahadavala kingdom and built many temples and palaces. He was also a patron of the arts and literature.
Jayachandra was the son of Chandradeva. He came to power in 1109 and ruled for 35 years. During his reign, the Gahadavala kingdom reached its peak. He was a great warrior and defeated many enemies. He was also a patron of the arts and literature.
Vidyadhara was the son of Jayachandra. He came to power in 1144 and ruled for 10 years. During his reign, the Gahadavala kingdom began to decline. He was not a strong ruler and was defeated by the Chauhans in 1154.
Madhavaraja II was the son of Vidyadhara. He came to power in 1154 and ruled for 10 years. During his reign, the Gahadavala kingdom continued to decline. He was defeated by the Chauhans in 1164.
Ramachandra was the son of Madhavaraja II. He came to power in 1164 and ruled for 10 years. During his reign, the Gahadavala kingdom was in a state of chaos. He was defeated by the Chauhans in 1174.
Govindachandra was the son of Ramachandra. He came to power in 1174 and ruled for 20 years. During his reign, the Gahadavala kingdom was finally overthrown by the Chauhans in 1194.
The Chauhans were a Rajput dynasty that ruled over parts of northern India from the 11th to the 12th centuries. They were founded by Prithviraj Chauhan, who came to power in 1100. The Chauhans were a powerful dynasty and they defeated many enemies. They were eventually overthrown by the Mughals in the 16th century.
The temples of the Gahadavalas are some of the most beautiful and well-preserved temples in India. They are located in the present-day state of Uttar Pradesh. The temples are built in the Nagara style of architecture. They are decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures.
The literature of the Gahadavalas is also very rich. Many famous poets and writers flourished during the Gahadavala period. The most famous of these is Jayadeva, who wrote the Gita Govinda, a love poem about Krishna and Radha.
The art of the Gahadavalas is also very impressive. They were masters of metalwork, stone carving, and painting. Their art is characterized by its intricate designs and its use of bright colors.
The decline of the Gahadavalas was due to a number of factors. One factor was the rise of the Chauhans, who were a powerful Rajput dynasty. The Chauhans defeated the Gahadavalas in a number of battles and eventually overthrew them in 1194. Another factor was the invasion of India by the Turks. The Turks were a Muslim people who invaded India from Central Asia. They defeated the Gahadavalas and many other Hindu dynasties. The invasion of the Turks led to the decline of Hindu power in India.
Who were the Gahadavalas?
The Gahadavalas were a dynasty of Indian kings who ruled over the present-day Indian state of Uttar Pradesh from the 11th to the 12th centuries.
When did the Gahadavalas rule?
The Gahadavalas ruled from the 11th to the 12th centuries.
Where did the Gahadavalas rule?
The Gahadavalas ruled over the present-day Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Who was the founder of the Gahadavala dynasty?
The founder of the Gahadavala dynasty was Chandradeva.
Who was the most famous Gahadavala king?
The most famous Gahadavala king was Jayachandra.
What was the capital of the Gahadavala kingdom?
The capital of the Gahadavala kingdom was Kanauj.
What religion did the Gahadavalas follow?
The Gahadavalas were Hindu.
What was the main Source Of Income for the Gahadavalas?
The main source of income for the Gahadavalas was agriculture.
What was the main language spoken by the Gahadavalas?
The main language spoken by the Gahadavalas was Sanskrit.
What was the main contribution of the Gahadavalas to Indian culture?
The main contribution of the Gahadavalas to Indian culture was the construction of many temples and monuments.
When did the Gahadavala dynasty end?
The Gahadavala dynasty ended in the 12th century.
What caused the end of the Gahadavala dynasty?
The Gahadavala dynasty ended due to a combination of factors, including internal strife and external invasions.
Sure, here are some MCQs about the Gahadavala dynasty:
- The Gahadavala dynasty was a Hindu dynasty that ruled over parts of northern India from the 11th to the 12th centuries. True or False?
- The Gahadavala dynasty was founded by Chandradeva. True or False?
- The Gahadavala dynasty reached its peak under the rule of Jayachandra. True or False?
- The Gahadavala dynasty was overthrown by the Chauhans in the 12th century. True or False?
- The Gahadavala dynasty was known for its patronage of art and architecture. True or False?
Answers:
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True
Here are some additional facts about the Gahadavala dynasty:
- The Gahadavala dynasty was founded by Chandradeva in the early 11th century.
- The Gahadavala dynasty reached its peak under the rule of Jayachandra in the late 12th century.
- Jayachandra was a powerful ruler who fought against the Muslim invaders from the north.
- The Gahadavala dynasty was overthrown by the Chauhans in the early 13th century.
- The Gahadavala dynasty was known for its patronage of art and architecture.
- The Gahadavala dynasty built many temples and palaces, including the famous Khajuraho temples.
- The Gahadavala dynasty was a significant dynasty in the history of India.