Discover the history of the Pratihara Dynasty, their military strategies, political dominance, and cultural contributions in medieval North India.

Overview of the Pratihara Dynasty

• Origins of the Pratihara Dynasty

  The Pratiharas, also called Gurjara-Pratiharas, ruled over Kanauj for a long period. Many scholars believe that they originated from the Gurjaras, pastoralists and fighters similar to the Jats. The Pratiharas established numerous principalities in central and eastern Rajasthan.

  According to inscriptions and historical texts, the Pratiharas claimed descent from Lakshamana of the solar race, as mentioned in the Ramayana. Other sources, such as the Aihole inscription of Pulakesin II, Hieun Tsang, and Bana's Harshacharita, mention the Pratiharas. Some scholars suggest that the Pratiharas belonged to the Gurjara stock, with some believing they were of Central Asiatic nomadic origin, while others claim they were indigenous to India.

• Rise of the Pratihara Dynasty

  The Pratiharas gained prominence in the 6th century C.E., leveraging the decline of the Gupta Empire to establish political authority. The dynasty was founded by Nagabhatta I in Malwa during the 8th century C.E., and he belonged to a Rajput clan.

  Under Nagabhatta I (reigning from 730-756 C.E.), the Pratiharas established their capital at Bhinmal. He successfully resisted the Arab rulers of Sind, preventing them from expanding into Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab. The Pratiharas emerged victorious in 738 C.E. when the Chalukyan ruler of Gujarat decisively defeated the Arabs.

The Tripartite Struggle

• Origins of the Tripartite Struggle

  Following the reign of Nagabhatta I, his successors faced conflicts with the Rashtrakutas and Palas in what became known as the Tripartite Struggle. The struggle was primarily over the control of Kanauj, a strategic center in North India.

  According to historian Satish Chandra:

  '… Soon, the Rashtrakuta king Dhruva from south India jumped into the fight. And thus began what is known as the Tripartite Struggle, i.e., a struggle among three powers. It continued for about the next hundred and fifty years under various succeeding kings with ups and downs. The Gurjara-Pratiharas, however, could continue to maintain their hold over Kanauj till the last.'

Prominent Pratihara Kings and Their Contributions

• King Vatsaraja

  Vatsaraja (reigned from 775 to 805 C.E.) expanded Pratihara dominance over North India. He shifted the capital to Kannauj and defeated the Pala king Dharmapala in the Doab region. However, the Rashtrakuta ruler Dhruva later defeated him, capturing Kanauj.

• King Nagabhata II

  Nagabhata II, the successor of Vatsaraja, revitalized the Pratihara Empire. He expanded his control over Sindh, Andhra, Vidarbha, and Kalinga. Despite an initial defeat by the Rashtrakuta ruler Govinda III, he later recovered Malwa and restored the empire's strength.

  He is also credited with rebuilding the Shiva temple at Somnath, which had been destroyed during an Arab raid from Sindh.

• King Rambhadra

  The reign of Rambhadra, the son of Nagabhata II, was marked by losses. He likely lost territories to the Pala king Devapal.

• King Mihirbhoj

  Mihirbhoj, succeeding Rambhadra, proved to be an ambitious ruler. From 836 C.E. onwards, he significantly expanded the empire, ushering in a golden era for the Pratiharas.

Mihirabhoja's Reign and Conquests: A Comprehensive Account of the Pratihara Dynasty

• Expansion into Rajputana and Other Provinces

  Varaha, Daulatpur, and Kahala inscriptions confirm that Mihirabhoja brought Rajputana and numerous other regions under his rule. King Kakkata of the Mandsor branch of the Pratiharas, once a subordinate of Nagabhata, regained control of this region.

  • Kakkata fought against the Gaudas in Mudoggiri.
  • His son, Bahuka, defeated Nandabala and Mayra and overcame the rulers of nine Mandals.
  • Bahuka eventually became independent, but Mihirabhoja reasserted control over him.

  The Pratapgarh and Chatasu inscriptions affirm Mihirabhoja's authority over southern Rajputana and his dominance over Harsha Gupta, who was compelled to acknowledge his supremacy. Harsha Guhila even presented numerous horses to Mihirabhoja.

• Control Over Eastern Punjab and Kashmir

  According to the Rajatarangini by Kalahana and the Pahewa inscription, Mihirabhoja controlled the Karnal region of eastern Punjab. However, during his eastern campaigns, King Sankarvarman of Kashmir briefly gained control over this region, though parts of it remained under Mihirabhoja’s rule.

• Conflict with Rashtrakutas and Control of Kannauj

  During Mihirabhoja's reign, Amoghavarsa and Krishna II of the Rashtrakuta dynasty governed Kannauj. Due to their weakness, Mihirabhoja captured Kannauj and expanded his empire to the Narmada River.

  However, Dhruva II, the Gujarat samanta of Amoghvarsa, defeated Mihirabhoja in battle. The conflict between the Rashtrakutas and Mihirabhoja lasted for years, primarily for control over Avanti.

• Rivalry with the Pala Dynasty

  During Mihirabhoja's reign, the powerful Pala ruler Devapala posed a significant challenge. His inscriptions claim vast influence, collecting tributes from rulers across northern India.

  Though accounts may exaggerate, Devapala's strength was evident. While historians differ on the final victor, the Gwalior prasasti suggests that Mihirabhoja ultimately defeated Devapala's son.

• Military Expeditions and Conquests

  • Mihirabhoja launched campaigns in Karnal, Western Saurashtra, and other regions.
  • The Arab traveler Suleman praised his formidable army and effective administration.
  • His vast empire extended from the Himalayas to Bundelkhand, Kausambi, the eastern frontier, and Saurashtra in the west.

  Despite continuous wars, his authority remained strong, though economic strain was evident through the use of alloyed silver coins.

• Administration and Cultural Patronage

  Mihirabhoja was a devoted worshipper of Vishnu and Shiva. He established his capital at Kannauj and restored Pratihara dominance in Malwa, Rajputana, and Madhyadesh.

  Though he faced defeats at the hands of Devapala, Dhruva, and Kokkalla, the death of Devapala and the subsequent weakening of his successors allowed Mihirabhoja to regain strength. He defeated the Pala king Narayanapala and achieved further conquests in western territories, notably against Krishna II of the Rashtrakutas.

• Legacy and Cultural Impact

  Aside from his military exploits, Mihirabhoja was a renowned patron of art and literature. The eminent poet Rajasekhara graced his court, contributing to the cultural flourishing of the Pratihara dynasty.

  His reign marked a golden era for the Pratiharas, showcasing political strength and cultural prosperity.

Succession of Mahendrapala and Expansion of the Empire

Mahendrapala succeeded his father Mihirbhoja to the throne. He successfully maintained and expanded his father’s empire by annexing Magadha and parts of Northern Bengal. However, he lost some territories to the kings of Kashmir. Historical records suggest that his empire extended from the Himalayas to the Vindhyas, and from the Eastern to the Western Ocean.

• War of Succession and Decline

  Following the death of Mahendrapala, a fierce war of succession weakened the dynasty. Bhoja II initially succeeded his father, but his cousin Mahipala overthrew him and became the ruler of Kannauj. During his reign, the Rashtrakuta King Indra III defeated Mahipala, but upon Indra III’s return to the south, Mahipala regained his position.

• Pala Expansion and Pratihara Decline

  During this period, the Pala rulers seized parts of the empire, capturing the forts of Kalinjar and Chitrakuta. The weakening of the Pratiharas was evident as several regional powers like the Paramaras of Malwa, the Chandelas of Bundelkhand, and the Kalachuris of Mahakoshal declared independence.

Foreign Accounts: Al-Masudi's Testimony

Al-Masudi, a native of Baghdad who visited Gujarat in 915-916 CE, highlighted the great power and prestige of the Pratihara rulers. He referred to the Gurjara-Pratihara kingdom as al-Juzr and described the king as Baura, possibly a mispronunciation of the title Adivaraha used by Bhoja.

• Al-Masudi reported that the empire contained 1,80,000 villages, cities, and rural areas.
• The kingdom spanned approximately 2000 km in both length and breadth.
• The king commanded an army with four divisions, each comprising between 7,00,000 to 9,00,000 soldiers.

Patronage and Cultural Contributions

The Gurjara-Pratihara rulers were notable patrons of art, architecture, and literature. One of the most renowned poets of their court was Rajashekhara, who served as the court poet. He was an eminent Sanskrit poet, dramatist, and critic. His notable works include:

• Kavyamimamsa

  Written between 880 CE and 920 CE, this text served as a comprehensive guide for poets, explaining poetic composition techniques.

• Karpuramanjari

  A play written in Sauraseni Prakrit to delight his wife Avantisundari, showcasing his literary brilliance.

Among the remarkable architectural creations of the Pratihara period, the Teli-ka-Mandir in Gwalior Fort stands out. This large-scale structure dedicated to a Shakti cult exhibits a rectangular mulaprasada and a double oblong shikhara. Additionally, temples at Osian, Abhaneri, and Kotah display intricate sculptures, including depictions of Vishnu and the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.

Brahminical Religion

The period marked the flourishing of the Brahminical religion. The prominent sects included:

• Vaishnava
• Shaiva
• Sakta
• Surya

Kings like Vatsaraja, Mahendrapala, and Trilochanapala were devout worshippers of Shiva.

Importance of the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire

According to historian Dr. R.C. Majumdar, the Gurjara-Pratihara Empire was the last significant empire in Northern India before the Muslim conquests. He emphasized that the Pratiharas maintained political unity and successfully resisted foreign invasions from the west. The empire is often compared to the Gupta Empire in terms of size and influence.

As Dr. Majumdar observed:

"The Gurjara Pratihara Empire which continued in full glory for nearly a century was the last great empire in Northern India before the Muslim conquest."

Important Facts About the Gurjara Pratihara Empire

E-Learning Material During Lockdown Period
For the students of Department of History, Asansol Girls’ College by Dr. Malyaban Chattopadhyay

• Overview of the Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty

  The Gurjara Pratihara, often referred to as the Pratihara Empire, was a dominant Indian dynasty that ruled much of Northern India from the 6th to 11th centuries. The capital city of the empire was Kannauj. During the 10th century, the rulers bore the title Maharajadhiraja of Aryavarta. The word "Pratihara" means protector or "one who takes over the enemy or opponent."

• Founder and Early Rulers of the Pratihara Empire

  • Harichandra is believed to have established the dynasty in the 6th century CE. He created a small kingdom in Bhinmal around 550 CE after the fall of the Gupta Empire.

  • Nagabhata I expanded control to the east and south from Mandor, conquering regions like Malwa, Gwalior, and the port of Bharuch in Gujarat. He made Avanti his capital and successfully resisted Arab expansion in Sind.

  • Following Nagabhata I, the dynasty saw two weak rulers before Vatsraja ascended the throne in 775 CE. His ambition to control Kannauj led to conflicts with the Pala dynasty of Bengal and the Rashtrakutas of the northern Deccan.

• Significant Conquests and Rulers

  • Vatsraja defeated the Pala ruler Dharmapala and the Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga to gain control of Kannauj.

  • His successor, Nagabhata II, faced an initial defeat by the Rashtrakuta ruler Govinda III but later reclaimed Malwa and conquered the Indo-Gangetic Plain up to Bihar, defeating the Palas.

  • Bhoja I, also known as Mihir Bhoja, was one of the greatest rulers of the Pratihara dynasty. He expanded the empire to the borders of Sind in the west, Bengal in the east, and as far as the Narmada River in the south. He was a prominent patron of art and literature.

• Decline of the Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty

  • Following the rule of Bhoja I, rulers like Mahenderpal I, Bhoja II, Mahipala I, Rajapala, and Trilochanpala ascended the throne. However, their reigns were marked by instability and decline.

  • The last ruler of Kannauj was Jasapala, who died in 1036 CE.

  • The Pratihara Empire was comparable in size to the Gupta Empire and brought political unity to Northern India. Despite internal conflicts, they successfully resisted foreign invasions from the west for an extended period.