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there were four clans which claimed that they time, including Champaka (Chamba), Durgara
had no descended from either of these two
families, but from the Fire-family (Agnikula).
These four clans were the most important in the
history of this period. They were the Pratiharas,
Chauhans, Solankis and Pawars (or Paramaras).
These four Agnikula clans established their
power in western India and parts of central India
and Rajasthan. The Pratiharas ruled in the region
of Kanauj. The Chauhans were strong in central
Rajasthan. Solankis rose in the region of
Kathiawar. The Pawars established themselves in
the region of Malwa with their capital at Dhar
near Indore. Most of these dynasties began as
small rulers under the Pratiharas and the
Rashtrakutas and they later rebelled against their
overlords and declared their independence.
Other minor rulers also became powerful and
gradually built small kingdoms in various parts of
northern India such as Nepal, Kamarupa (in
Assam), Kashmir and Utkala (in Orissa). Many of
the hill states of punjab came into being at this
CASE STUDY—
Cholas of Thanjavur
The founder of the Chola Empire was Vijayalaya
who was first feudatory of the Pallavas of Kanchi.
He captured Thanjavur in 850 AD. The Chola
Empire arose in the 9th century by capturing the
Pallava subordinates, Muttaraiyar family ruling in
Kaveri Delta. They brought under its control a
large part of the Deccan peninsula. The Cholas
also developed a powerful navy which enabled
them to develop India’s sea-trade in the Indian
Ocean and to conquer Sri Lanka and the
Maldives. Their influence was felt even in the
countries of South-East Asia. The Chola Empire
marked a climax in South Indian history.
The extreme revival of Chola power began from
the accession of Parantaka-II who recovered
Tondamandalam to re-establish dominance of
the dynasty. The greatest Chola rulers were
Rajaraja (985-1016) and his son Rajendra-I
Social Science-7
(Jammu) and Kuluta (Kulu).
But, these kingdoms were either in the hills or
elsewhere far away from the Rajput kingdoms
and did not, therefore, take part in the history of
the Rajputs. The kingdoms which did take part
were those of central India and Rajasthan such as
those of the Chandellas in Bundelkhan or the
Guhilas in Mewar to the south of the Chauhans.
To the north-east of the Chauhans were the
region around Delhi. They also began small
rulers under the Pratiharas, but they broke away
when the Pratiharas became weak. The Tomars
built the city of Dilli (Delhi) in 736 AD. Chauhans
defeated the Tomars and annexed their kingdom.
It was a prince of the Chauhan dynasty,
Prithviraj-III who is the hero of the famous ballad
Prithviraj Raso composed by the Hindi poet
Chandbardai. These kingdoms were always
fighting each other largely to show off their
strength. All these battles made them weak.
(1016-1044). Rajaraja destroyed the naval force
of the Cheras of Trivandrum. He also defeated
the king of the Pandya dynasty and conquered
Madurai. He invaded Sri Lanka and annexed its
northern part to his empire. By these conquests,
he wanted to bring the trade with South-East
Asian countries under his control. Another
victory of his naval force was the conquest of
Maldives. Rajendra-I and his successor continued
Danang Shiva
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