Kannauj Triangle : Early Medievel History
Kannauj Triangle
[ Early Medievel History ]
"Harsha, also known as Harshavardhana, was an Indian emperor who ruled North India from 606 to 647 CE. He was the member of the Vardhan Dynasty ( Pushyabhuti Dynasty ); and was the son of Prabhakarvardhana who defeated the Alchon Huna invaders, and the younger brother of Rajyavardhana, a king of Thanesar, present day Haryana. King Harshawardhan died in 647 CE in Kannauj. After his death, the vardhan empire declined. His empire disintegrated and North India was parcelled out in many states. Yet, the glory of Kannauj remained. The glory of being the capital of North India was no more Patliputra but Kannauj."
After the declination of Vardhan dynasty, there were three main dynasties were ruling in India, named as Gurjara Pratiharas (Gujarat),, Rashtrakutas (Dakkhan), Palas (Bengal). 'King Lalitaditya was ruling in Kashmir and Hindu Shahi rulers were ruling in North Part'. There were some other rulers such as Parmar, Chandelas, Rajputs etc.
1. Gurjara Pratiharas :-
- Historians believe that after the Gupta Period, Gurjara Pratiharas came to India from the Central Asian region and settled in Rajasthan. Gradually, they gained politial importance.
- The bardic Tradition of Rajasthan claims that the Gurjara Pratiharas, Chalukyas, Parmaras and Chahmanas were born out of a plan (yojna) done at Mount Abu. Therefore, these four dynasties are also known as Agnikulas (Fire- Clans).
- The four dynasties of Rajputs were created for the protection of the Country (Bharatvarsha) from external aggressions. The literally meaning of Pratihara is Door keeper.
- It is believed that their ancestor Lakshmana served as a door keeper to his brother Rama. Therefore they were called as Pratihara.
- The geographical Name of Gujarat is supposed derived from Gurjara.
- Main Kings of Gurjara Pratiharas :-
- The Rashtrakutas considered themselves the descendants of Satyaki. Historians differ on the question of their Origins.
- It is evident from a few Chalukya kings' inscriptions that they were vassals of the Chalukyas.
- Rashtrakutas were Kannada Origin and their mother toungue was Kannada.
- Rashtrakutas Emperors :-
- Dantidurga ( 735-756 )
- Krishna I (756-774 )
- Govinda II (774-780)
- Dhruva Dharavarsha ( 780-793 )
- Govinda III ( 793-814 )
- Amogvarsha ( 814-878 )
- Krishna II ( 878-914 )
- Indra III ( 914-929 )
- Amogvarsha II ( 929-930 )
- Govinda IV ( 930-936 )
- Amogvarsha III ( 936-939 )
- Krishna III (967-972)
- Khottiga (967-972 )
- Karka II (972-973 )
- Indra IV ( 973-982 )
- Thailapa II (973-997) Western Chalukyas
- Gopala founded the Pala Dynasty in 750 AD.
- He was the Chieftain or Military General who was elected as a king by notable men of the area to prevent anarchy.
- Rulers of Pala Dynasty :-
- Gopala was the first Pala King and the founder of the Pala Dynasty.
- He was the son of Vapyata, a warrior.
- he was elected by a group of people.
- At the time of his death, He included Bengal and most of Bihar to the Pala Kingdom.
- He built a monastery at Odantapuri, Bihar.
- He considered as the first Buddhist King of Bengal.
- Dharmapala was the son of Gopala. he succeeded the throne after the death of Gopala.
- He expanded his kingdom.
- he was a pious Buddhist.
- He founded the Vikramshila University at Bhagalpur, Bihar.
- he had frequent wars with the Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas.
- The Palas became the most powerful kingdom in northern and eastern India during his rule.
- Devapala was the son of Dharmapala and Rannadevi ( a Rashtrakuta princess ).
- He extended the kingdom to Assam, Odisha and kamarupa.
- He was a staunch Buddhist and built many monasteries and temples in Magadha.
- He defeated the Rashtrakuta emperor Amogvarsha.
- Mahipala succeeded the throne in 988 AD.
- He recovered the northern and eastern Bengal.
- He won Bihar also
- Ramapala was the last strong ruler of Pala Dyasty.
- The kingdom disintegrated during his son Kumarapala's reign.
- After the Madanpala, the SENA dynasty replaced the Palas.
- The 18th ruler of Pala dynasty and general considered the last ruler but he was succeeded by the Govindpala who linneage of this name is questionable.
- The Pala Empire was dethroned by the another Hindu SENA Dynasty in 12th Century.
- The Pala Period is also known as the 'Golden Era' in Bengali History.
- They built magnificent monasteries and temples: Somapura Mahavihara (in banngladesh), Odantapuri Monastery.
- Palas also patronized Buddhist centers of learning like Nalanda University and Vikramshila University.
- During this time, the Bengali language developed. The first Bengali Literary work Charyapada is attributed to this period. It was written in an Abahatta ( the common ancestor of Bengali, Assamese, Odia and Maithili.
- Balaputradeva, the Sailendra king of Java sent an ambassador to Devapala.
- Buddhist poet Vajradatta who composed Lokesvarashakta was in Devpala's court.
- Many Buddhist teachers from the Pala kingdom travelled to Southest Asia to spread the faith. Atisha preached in Sumatra and Tibet.
- Sanskrit Scholars were also patronized by the Pala Kings. Gaudapada composed Agama Shatra during the time of Palas.
- the Pala Art (art seen in Begal and Bihar during the Pala Reigime) influence is seen in the art of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma and Java.
Kannauj became the focal point for the three powerful dynasties namely The Gurjara Pratiharas, Palas and Rashtrakutas between the 88th and 10th centuries. The conflict between the three dynasties has been referred to as the tripartite struggle by many historians.
There were initial struggles but ultimately the Gurjara Pratiharas succeeded in retaining the city. The Gurjara Pratihas ruled Avanti (based at Ujjain ), which was bounded to the South by the Rashtrakuta Empire, and the Pala empire to the East. the Tripartite struggle began with the defeat of Indrayudh at the hands of Gurjara pratihara ruler Vatsaraj.
The Pala Ruler Dharmapala was also keen to establish his authority at Kannauj, giving rise to a struggle between Vatsaraj and Dharmapala. Dharmapala was however defeated. Taking advantage of the chas, the Rashtrakuta ruler Dhruva surged northwards, defeated Vatsaraj and toook Kannauj for himself, completing the furthest northern expansion by a South Indian Ruler.
When the Rashtrakuta Ruler advanced back to the south, Dharmapala was left in control of Kannauj for some time. The struggle between the two northern dynasties continued : the Pala Chakrayudh was defeated by the Pratihara Nagabhatta II, and Kannauj was again occupied by the Gurjara pratiharas.
Dharmapala tried to take control of kannauj but was defeated at Moongher by the Gurjara pratiharas. however, Nagabhatta II was in turn soon defeated bby the Rashtrakuta Govinda III, who had initiated a second northern surge.
An inscription states that Chakrayudh and Dharmapala invited Govinda III to war against the Gurjara Pratiharas but Dharmapala and Chakrayudh both submitted to the Govinda III, in order to win his sympathy. After this defeat, Pratihara power degenerated for some time.
After the death of Dharmapala, Nagabhatta II regained hold over Kannauj and made it the capital of the Gurjara Pratihara Empire. During this period, the Rashtrakuta were facing some internal conflicts, and so they, as well as the Palas did not contest this. Thus Gurjara Pratiharas became the greatest power in Northern India after occupying Kannauj.
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