Characteristics of medieval Rajput women and men short note
Answers
The Medieval Indian History period lies between the 8th and the 18th century A.D. Ancient Indian history came to an end with the rule of Harsha and Pulakesin II.
The medieval period can be divided into two stages:
Early medieval period: 8th – 12th century A.D.
Later Medieval period: 12th-18th century.
About the Rajputs
They are the descendants of Lord Rama (Surya vamsa) or Lord Krishna (Chandra vamsa) or the Hero who sprang from the sacrificial fire (Agni Kula theory).
Rajputs belonged to the early medieval period.
The Rajput Period (647A.D- 1200 A.D.)
From the death of Harsha to the 12th century, the destiny of India was mostly in the hands of various Rajput dynasties.
They belong to the ancient Kshatriya families.
There were nearly 36 Rajput’ clans. The major clans were:
The Palas of Bengal
The Chauhans of Delhi and Ajmer
The Rathors of Kanauj
The Guhilas or Sisodiyas of Mewar
The Chandellas of Bundelkhand
The Paramaras of Malwa
The Senas of Bengal
The Solankis of Gujarat
Pala Dynasty
Gopala (765-769 A.D.)
Founder of Pala Dynasty and he also restored order.
Ruled over Northern and Eastern India.
He expanded the Pala dynasty and extended his power over Magadha.
Dharmapala (769-815 A.D.)
He is the son of Gopala and succeeded his father.
He brought Bengal, Bihar, and Kanauj under his control.
He defeated the Pratiharas and became the master of Northern India.
He was a steadfast Buddhist and founded the famous Vikramasila University and several monasteries.
He also restored the Nalanda University.
Devapala (815-855 A.D.)
Devapala is the son of Dharmapala who succeeded his father.
He kept the Pala territories intact.
He captured Assam and Orissa.
Mahipala (998-1038 A.D.)
The Palas became powerful during his reign.
The Pala dynasty declined after the death of Mahipala.
Govinda Pala
He is the last Pala King. His lineage is questionable as the ruler Madanapala was said to be the 18th and final ruler of the Pala lineage but he was succeeded by Govindapala.
Tripartite Struggle for Kanauj
The Tripartite Struggle for Kanauj was between the Pratiharas of Central India, the Palas of Bengal and the Rashtrakutas of Deccan as all these three dynasties wanted to establish their supremacy over Kanauj and
the fertile Gangetic Valley.
The Tripartite Struggle lasted for 200 years and weakened all of them which enabled the Turks to overthrow them.
The Tomars of Delhi
The Tomars were the feudatories of the Pratiharas.
They founded the city of Delhi in 736 A.D.
Mahipala Tomar captured Thaneshwar, Hansi and Nagarkot in 1043 A.D.
Chauhans captured Delhi in the middle of the 12th century and the Tomars became their feudatories.
The Chauhans of Delhi and Ajmer
The Chauhans declared their independence in the 1101 century at Ajmer and they were the feudatories of the Pratiharas.
They captured Ujjain from the Paramaras of Malwa and Delhi in the early part of the 12th century.
They shifted their capital to Delhi.
Prithviraj Chauhan was the most important ruler of this dynasty.
Rathors of Kanauj (1090-1194 A.D.)
The Rathors established themselves on the throne of Kanauj from 1090 to 1194 A.D.
Jaichand was the last great ruler of this dynasty.
He was killed in the battle of Chandwar in 1194A.D. by Muhammad of Ghori.
The Chandellas of Bundelkhand
Established them in the 9th century.
Mahoba was the capital of Chandella during the period of Chief Yasovarman
Kalinjar was their important fort.
The Chandellas built the most famous Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in 1050 A.D. and a number of beautiful temples at Khajuraho.
Paramal the last Chandella ruler was defeated by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1203A.D.
The Guhllas or Sisodiyas of Mewar