Early Medieval Period: Rajputs to Cholas Overview

Early Medieval Period: Rajputs to Cholas Overview

North India (Rajput Period)

Overview

After Harshavardhana, the Rajputs emerged as a powerful force in Northern India and dominated the Indian political scene for nearly 500 years from the 7th century. 

Tripartite Struggle

Major Powers

Towards the close of the 8th century AD, there were three great powers in India:

• The Palas in the East

• The Gurjar-Partihara in the North

• The Rashtrakutas in the Deccan

Cause of the Struggle

• The tripartite struggle for supremacy among the Palas, the Partiharas, and the Rashtrakutas was an important event of these centuries.

• The main cause for this struggle was the desire to possess the city of Kannauj (Kannauj Distt., UP), which was then a symbol of sovereignty.

The Palas (750–1150)

• Capital: Muddagiri/Munger (Bihar)

• Founder: Gopala (750 AD)

• Dharmapala (770–810):

  • Revived Nalanda University

  • Founded Vikramshila University

• Legacy:

  • The Pala dynasty was succeeded by the Sena dynasty of Bengal

  • Jayadeva ('Gita Gobinda') was the great court poet of Luxman Sen

The Pratiharas (730–1036)

The Pratiharas (730–1036)

• Also called Gurjara-Pratiharas, they likely originated from Gujarat or southwest Rajasthan.

• Greatest ruler: Bhoja/Mihir Bhoja (836–882)

  • Devotee of Vishnu

  • Took the title ‘Adivarah’

The Rashtrakutas (752–973)

• Founder: Dantidurg (752–756), capital at Malkhand/Malkhed (Gulbarga dist., Karnataka)

• Greatest rulers:

  • Govinda III (793–814)

  • Amoghvarsha (814–878):

    • Ruled for 64 years

    • Preferred religion and literature over war

    • Author of Kavirajamaga, the earliest Kannada book on poetics

• Art Contribution: Krishna, I built the famous rock-cut Kailash temple at Ellora

Other Important Rulers

Prithviraj Chauhan (1178–92)

• Ruled over Delhi and Agra

• First Battle of Tarain (1191): Defeated Mohammad Ghori

• Second Battle of Tarain (1192): Defeated and slain by Mohammad Ghori

• Impact: Led to the establishment of Muslim rule in North India and later in the South

Jai Chand Gadhawal/Rathor (1169–94)

• The last Rajput king, defeated and killed by Mohammad Ghori in the Battle of Chandawar (1194)

Rana Kumbha of Mewar (1433–68)

• Defeated Mohammad Khilji

• Built the Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) at Chittor

• His successors, Rana Sanga and Maha Rana Pratap, were also great kings

Salient Features of the Rajput Kingdoms

• Free of invasions but lost foreign contact

• Rigid caste system

• Rajputs were proud, warrior-like, but hospitable

• Cultural contributions:

  • Fortresses and temples such as:

    • Khajuraho (MP)

    • Lingaraja Temple (Bhubaneshwar, Orissa)

    • Sun Temple (Konarka, Orissa)

    • Jagannath Temple (Puri)

    • Dilwara Temple (Mount Abu)

Causes of the Decline of the Rajputs

• Lack of unity

• Lack of foresight

• Rigid caste system

• Defective military organization

South India (Cholas and Others)

The Chola Empire (850 AD)

• Capital: Tanjore, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

• Founder: Vijayalaya (captured Tanjore in 850 AD, was a feudatory of the Pallavas)

Great Rulers:

• Rajaraja (985–1014 AD): Built the Vrihadeshwar Temple at Tanjore

• Rajendra I (1014–1044 AD):

  • Conquered Orissa, Bengal, Burma, Andaman & Nicobar

  • Took the title Gangaikondachola

  • Built city Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Last ruler: Rajendra III

Administration:

• King, aided by a council of ministers

• Divided into:

  • Mandalams (provinces)

  • Valanadu (commissioner)

  • Nadu (district)

  • Kurram (group of villages)

• Strong local self-government

• Revenue from land and trade tax

Chola Architecture and Literature

• Style: Dravidian architecture

  • Example: Kailashnath temple, Kanchipuram

• Famous for Nataraja, the dancing figure of Shiva

• Kamban: Wrote Ramavataram (Kamba Ramayana)

• Poets: Kambana, Kuttana, and Pugalendi – known as 'the three gems of Tamil poetry'

Temple Structures:

• Vimana: Tall pyramidal tower

• Gopuram and Garbhagriha: Key structures

• Notable temples:

  • Vijayalaya

  • Choleshwara

  • Nageshwara

  • Koranganath

  • Muvarakovitha

Other Kingdoms of South

Note:

1. The temple of Hoyasaleshwara at Dwarasamudra (modern Halebid) is the greatest achievement of Hoyasala art.

2. The Hoyasala temples at Halebid (Hoyasaleshwara temple), Belur (Channakeshava temple), and Somanathpur (Keshava temple) in Karnataka were listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites on September 18, 2023.

Final Thoughts

After Harshavardhana, the Rajputs rose to power in North India, dominating the political scene from the 7th to the 12th century. Despite their bravery and cultural achievements, a lack of unity and weak military organization led to their decline and the rise of Muslim rule after battles like Tarain and Chandawar.

In South India, the Cholas emerged as a major power under Rajaraja I and Rajendra I, excelling in administration, temple architecture, and overseas conquests.

The Hoyasalas, Kakatiyas, and others also contributed richly to art and governance. This era shaped India's regional diversity and left a legacy of grand temples and local self-rule.