Interlude in Indian History (750-1200 AD)
Three powerful Kingdoms arose between 750-1000. They were Rashtrakutas-ruling
in the Northern Deccan, The Pratiharas in Avanti & parts of Southern
Rajasthan, and the Palas in Bengal. All three were in a continual Tripartite
Struggle for the occupation of Kanauj
& the Domination of Northern India.
=>The Rajputs & their Origin: They are regarded as a tribe living in North India. They rose in political importance only in 10th
century. They emerged in 4 clans. They were Pratihara, Chauhans, Solankis &
Parmars. They
claim they come from a fire family(Agni Kulas). Besides
these kingdoms, some other small kingdoms like Nepal, Kamarupa(Assam), Kashmir & Utkala(Orissa).
Rajput
Clan
|
The Area
|
1)Pratihara or Pariharas
|
South Rajasthan
|
2)Chauhans
|
East Rajasthan
|
3)Chalukyas or Solankis
|
Kathiawar
|
4)Parmars or Pawars
|
Malwa.
|
ð Besides these
kingdoms, some other small kingdoms like Nepal, Kamarupa(Assam), Kashmir & Utkala(Orissa), Tomars of Delhi( built a city named Dhillika in 736),
Chandellas in Bundelkhand, Guhilas in Mewar.
ð Arrival of Invaders: At that time the whole of India was
divided into small kingdoms, which used to have struggle with their neighboring
states paved the way to raids of Mahmud of Gazni who raided the country
in the year of 1000 for her wealth, raided her 17 times in 25 years. He attacked several
temples including Somnath temple in Gujrat. Another attack from North-West was
led by Muhammad
Ghori in the 12th century
came through Gomal Pass in the year of1182. His 1st battle with
Prithvi Raj Chauhan at Tarain in 1191 & Chauhan was successful but at 2nd
battle in 1192 at the same place Ghori won. Thus, the kingdom of Delhi fell to Muhammad
Ghori. They won Ganga-Yamuna Daob, Neighbouring
areas, Bengal & Bihar before Ghori was assassinated in 1206. Which led to a new
era in Indian History.
ð Growth of Regional
Expression: At
At that time regional languages like Marathi & Gujrati were fast emerging (from
local Prakrit) & were to become the media of popular Expression. During
that era, 2 outstanding works were: 1) Bhairavi’s Kirtarjuniya & 2) Dandin’s Dashakumara-Charita. Katha
Sarit Sagar of Somadeva,
ð Other works:
Work
|
By
|
Work
|
By
|
Katha Sarit Sagar
|
Somdev
|
Rajatarangini
|
Kalhana
|
Vikramanya Dev Charita
|
Bilhana
|
Geet Govind
|
Jaideva
|
ð Architecture &
Sculpture: Khajuraho Temple- Chandellas.