The Battle for Kannauj: The Tripartite Struggle for North Indian Supremacy
The Decline of the Later Guptas: External Threats and Regional Independence
The once-mighty Gupta dynasty began to weaken under the pressure of external threats. They faced invasions from the Pushyamitras and the Hunas, who made daring forays into Central India.
- The outlying regions like Saurashtra and Western Malwa were lost.
- By the first quarter of the sixth century, the Maitrakas rose to power in Valabhi.
- The Maukharis also emerged, making Kannauj their power center.
The Rise of the Maukharis: Establishing Control Over Kannauj
The Maukharis, initially subordinates of the Later Guptas, gradually established control over Kannauj. Their territory extended:
- From Nalanda in the east to Ahicchatra and Thaneshwar in the west.
- Northwards to the Tarai region, while in the south, their reach was limited to the edge of Uttar Pradesh.
Harivarman is believed to be the founder of the Maukharis in Kannauj. However, the most notable ruler was Grahavarman, who married Rajyashri of Thaneshwar, strengthening ties with the Vardhanas.
The Conflict with the Later Guptas: Alliance and Loss of Kannauj
The Later Guptas formed an alliance with Sasanka, the king of Gauda, and attacked Kannauj. In the conflict:
- Grahavarman was killed.
- His wife, Rajyashri, was imprisoned.
The Rise of Harshavardhana: Consolidation and Expansion
Following these events, Harshavardhana of Thaneshwar rose to power. His reign is well-documented in sources like:
- The travel accounts of the Chinese pilgrim Huien Tsang (Si-yu-ki).
- Harshacharita, his biography.
After the death of his brother Rajyavardhana, Harsha took up the responsibility of avenging his family and protecting Thaneshwar and Kannauj.
Yasovarman and the Arab Threat: External Pressures and Kashmir's Intervention
Post-Harsha, Yasovarman ruled Kannauj. During his reign:
- He sent an embassy to China in 731 CE.
- Arab forces were making advances into India.
By 740-745 CE, Lalitaditya-Muktapida of Kashmir attacked Kannauj, defeated Yasovarman, and signed a treaty.
The Age of Imperial Kannauj: The Tripartite Struggle for Dominance
This era saw the emergence of three powerful dynasties: the Pratiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas. They engaged in the Tripartite Struggle for control over Kannauj.
- Nagabhatta I of the Pratiharas defeated the Arabs.
- The Rashtrakutas under Dantidurga expanded their power.
- The Palas under Dharmapala attempted to control Kannauj.
The Tripartite Struggle (785–816): A Battle for Supremacy
The Tripartite Struggle was a prolonged and intense conflict among three powerful dynasties of northern India— the Pratiharas of Gurjaradesa, the Palas of Bengal, and the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta—over control of the throne of Kannauj. Possession of this throne symbolized supremacy over Aryavarta (northern India), making it the focal point of political ambition and warfare.
- The Rise of Conflict
- By the 8th century, Kannauj, once a dominant power under Harshavardhana, had weakened, creating a power vacuum.
- This attracted the rising Pratiharas and Palas, both eager to establish their dominance.
- Meanwhile, in southern India, the Rashtrakutas harbored ambitions of extending their control northward.
- This three-way contest led to decades of warfare, marked by shifting alliances and changing fortunes.
- The First War (785–790)
- Vatsaraja of the Pratiharas invaded Kannauj and dethroned Indrayudha.
- His forces defeated Dharmapala, the Pala king, and plundered his treasury.
- However, Dhruva of the Rashtrakutas intervened, defeating both Vatsaraja and Dharmapala.
- Despite his victories, Dhruva withdrew back to the Deccan.
- Dharmapala’s Ascendancy (791)
- With the Rashtrakutas withdrawn, Dharmapala invaded Kannauj and installed his brother Chakrayudha as a vassal king.
- He hosted a grand imperial court attended by regional rulers, symbolizing Pala supremacy.
- Govinda III’s Northern Campaign (798–800)
- Alarmed by Pala and Pratihara expansion, Govinda III of the Rashtrakutas launched a northern campaign.
- He defeated Nagabhata II, successor of Vatsaraja.
- Both Chakrayudha and Dharmapala submitted to him.
- Like his father, he soon withdrew to the south.
- The Final War (816)
- Following Govinda III’s death, Nagabhata II seized the opportunity to invade.
- He defeated Chakrayudha and declared himself King of Kannauj.
- Dharmapala assembled his allies for a final stand.
- In the Battle of Monghyr, Dharmapala’s forces were defeated.
This victory cemented Pratihara supremacy, ending the long-standing struggle for Kannauj. Nagabhata II, victorious at last, assumed the title of Paramabhattaraka, marking the dawn of Pratihara rule over northern India.
The Pratihara Empire After the Struggle
- Mihirbhoja: The Great Pratihara King
After Nagabhata II, Mihirbhoja expanded the Pratihara empire.
- Arab travelers referred to him as Bhauura (possibly a corruption of Varaha or AdiVaraha).
- He was called the King of Jurz, referring to the Gurjara-Pratiharas.
- Mihirbhoja’s Expansion and Arab Battles
In 836 CE, Nepal became part of the Indian political system.
- His rule extended to Sarvasta-mandala in the Nepal Terai and Himalayan regions.
Mihirbhoja fought multiple battles against the Arabs, reducing their territories.
- Arab Accounts of Mihirbhoja’s Rule
Several Arab travelers documented Mihirbhoja’s reign:
- Sulaiman (851 CE) highly praised him.
- Abu Zaid (916 CE) described Kannauj as part of the Empire of Jurz.
- The Peak of Kannauj’s Power
By the time of Mihirbhoja’s death in 882 CE, Kannauj had reached an unparalleled level of pre-eminence in Madhyadesa.
The Tripartite Struggle, which had raged for decades, finally came to a close, reshaping the political landscape of medieval India.
The Fall of Kannauj
Mahmud of Ghazni attacked Kannauj in 1019 CE, plundering its wealth. The city, once known for its ten thousand temples, fell into ruins. Later, in 1193 CE, Shihab-ud-din captured and destroyed the city, reducing it to shapeless mounds. From being a center of power, art, and culture, Kannauj saw its rise and fall over centuries. Its legacy remains an important chapter in Indian history.