Page 13 - SST Class 07

The Second Phase (1000 AD – 1200 AD) Kannauj and came in direct conflict with the
In the second phase, we notice the breakup of
these three powers. It resulted in the rise of many
smaller kingdoms all over the country. For
example, in the northern India, the disintegration
of the Pratiharas brought to the forefront various
Rajput states under the control of different Rajput
dynasties such as Chauhans, Chandellas,
Paramaras, etc. These were the states that fought
and resisted the Turkish attacks from north-west
India led by Mahmud Ghaznavi and Muhammad
Ghori in the 11th and 12th century AD.
THE GURJARA PRATIHARAS
The Gurjara Pratiharas ruled much parts of the
Northern India from the 6th to 11th century.
They find their origin from Ujjain or Mandsaur.
Due to the prowess of Gurjara Pratiharas, Arabs
were confined to Sindh from 7th to 11th century.
The founder of this dynasty was Harichandra in
6th century.
The successors of Harichandra established
Marwar in Rajasthan and built the ‘Temple city of
Ocean’, near Jodhpur.
The first important ruler of this dynasty was
Nagabhatta-I (730-756 AD) whose reign was
from Mandore (Jodhpur) to Malwa, Gwalior and
Bharuch.
His capital was Avanti in Malwa.
Battle of Rajasthan
It was during the times of Nagabhatta-I, when
Junaid, another Arab commander invaded India
after Mohammad Bin Qasim. Nagabhatta-I along
with his feudatories such as Chauhans and
Guhilots defended the western frontiers but the
Arabs were capable of doing a lot of damage to
their western Frontiers. Junaid was defeated and
his successor Tamin was compelled to run back
to Arab defeated and wounded. This is known as
Battle of Rajasthan.
He was succeeded by Vatsaraja who captured
Social Science-7
Palas of Bengal. He conflicted and defeated
Dharmapala. In 786 AD, the Rastrakuta King
Dhruva defeated him. He died in 805 AD.
THE PALAS OF BENGAL AND BIHAR
Pala dynasty was founded by Gopala in 750 AD,
who was a chieftain earlier, but later became the
king of Bengal. In fact, he was the first Buddhist
king of Bengal. He had established his domi-
nance after Gauda dynasty lost their stronghold
in Kamarupa. When he died, Bengal and most of
the part of Bihar was under his control.
Gopala is credited with constructing a monastery
at the Odantapuri in Bihar.
Dharmapala succeeded Gopala. He ruled from a
770 AD to 810 AD. The Palas became the most
powerful kingdom in the Northern and Eastern
India during his reign.
He fought a prolonged war against the Gurjara
Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas. Despite his humili-
ating defeat against the Gurajara Pratihara King
Nagabhatta-II, he managed to salvage the pride
of Pala empire and extended his kingdom to
entire Bengal and Bihar.
Dharmapala, a pious Buddhist king founded
Vikramshila University which was a renowned
center of Buddhism studies in India. The univer-
sity is located at Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
Dharmapala was succeeded by Devapala. He
extended his kingdom to Assam, Odisha and
Kamarupa. During his reign, Pala armies carried
out a very successful campaign.
After Devapala, many lesser known kings sat on
the throne. Then, Mahipala became the king of
Pala kingdom. He ruled the kingdom from 995
AD to 1043 AD. Known as the second founder of
the Pala Dynasty, he recovered all the lost territo-
ries of the Pala empire.
The successors of Mahipala were weak and
couldn’t hold the empire intact.
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