The Tripartite Struggle took place between three great Indian dynasties – the Palas, the Prathiharas, and Rashtrakutas in the 8th and 9th centuries for control over the Kannauj area of northern India. The struggle is also known as the Kannauj Triangle Wars.
The Palas ruled India's eastern regions (Bengal region), while the Pratiharas oversaw India's western regions (Avanti-Jalaor region) and the Deccan area of India was dominated by the Rashtrakutas. This war lasted for two centuries and was finally won by the Rajput Prathihara emperor Nagabhata II, who established the city as the capital of the Pratihara state, which ruled for nearly three centuries.
During the early medieval period, Kannauj was seen as a sign of status and authority.
Kannauj was the former capital of Harshvardhana's empire and control of it represented the political domination over northern India.
Control of Kannauj also meant control of the Central Gangetic valley, which was rich in resources and hence strategically and commercially significant.
Because it was connected to the silk road, this location was ideal for trade and commerce.
Between the end of the eighth century and the first quarter of the ninth century, three kings ruled over Kannauj: Indrayudha, Vijrayudha, and Chakrayudha. These kings were very weak and could be easily defeated.
The desire to plunder through warfare attracted the Rashtrakutas to Kannauj.
A tripartite struggle occurred between the Pala, Prathiharas, and Rashtrakuta dynasties for control of Kanauj.
The first phase of the tripartite struggle began around 790 AD with a clash between Dharmapala and Vatsaraja.
The battle between Dharmapala and the Pratihara king Vatsaraja at Prayag resulted in the defeat of Dharmapala.
After some time Vatsaraja was defeated by Rashtrakuta king Dhruva.
Dharmapala took control of Kannauj after Vatsaraja's fall, but he was again defeated by Dhruva.
Dhruva, on the other hand, was unable to consolidate his victory because he needed to return to the south to save his own kingdom.
Rashtrakutas were devastated by a succession struggle after Dhruva's death in 793 CE.
By quickly withdrawing from Northern India, the Rashtrakutas not only decimated the Palas' adversaries, the Pratiharas, but also provided the Palas with a good opportunity to add to their might.
Dharmapala took advantage of the situation and recovered Kannauj, putting Chakrayudha on the throne.
Dharmapala, via a series of successful expeditions, established himself as the lord of virtually all of Northern India.
The tripartite conflict between the three great Indian dynasties, the Palas, the Pratiharas, and the Rashtrakutas, for control over the Kannauj area, lasted for two centuries.
In the end, Pratiharas emerged victoriously and established themselves as the rulers of central India.
However, the tripartite struggle rendered all three dynasties feeble. This led to the country's political breakdown, which aided the Middle Eastern Islamic invaders.
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