[Medieval History] Medieval Indian History Brief Notes - Part 2 : THE NORTH INDIAN KINGDOMS – THE RAJPUTS – 2

THE NORTH INDIAN KINGDOMS – THE RAJPUTS – 2

The Chauhans of Delhi and Ajmer

1. The Chauhans who were the feudatories of the Pratiharas declared their independence in the 1101 century at Ajmer.
2. In the early part of the 12th century they captured Ujjain from the Paramaras of Malwa and Delhi from the Tomars.
3. They shifted their capital to Delhi.
4. The most important ruler of this dynasty was Prithvtraj Chauhan

Rathors of Kanauj (1090-1194 A.D.)

1. The Rathors established themselves on the throne of Kanauj from 1090 to 1194 A.D.
2. Jaichand was the last great ruler of this dynasty.
3. He was killed in the battle of Chandwar in 1194A.D. by Muhammad of Ghori.

The Chandellas of Bundelkhand

1. Established themselves in the 9th century.
2. The Chandella Chief Yasovarman had his capital at Mahoba.
3. Kalinjar was their important fort.
4. The Chandellas built a number of beautiful temples at Khajuraho, the most famous being the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (1050 A.D.)
5. Qutb-ud-din Aibak defeated, Paramal the last Chandella ruler in 1203A.D.

The Guhllas or Slsodlyas of Mewar

1. The Rajput ruler Bapa Rawat was the founder of the Guhila or the Sisodiya dynasty with its capital at Chittor
2. During the period of Rana Ratan Singh of Mewar,
3. Ala-ud-din khilji invaded his territory and defeated him in 1307 A.D.
4. The Sisodiya rulers – Rana Sangha and: Maharana Pratap gave a tough fight to the Mughal rulers of India

The Paramaras of Malwa

1. The Paramaras were also the feudatories of Pratiharas. They asserted their independence in the 10th century and their capital was at Dhara.
2. Raja Bhoja (1018-1069) was the most famous ruler of this period.
3. He constructed a beautiful lake (More than 250 sq. miles) near Bhopal. He set up a college at Dhara for the study of Sanskrit Literature.
4. The reign of the Paramaras came to an end with the invasion of Ala-ud-din Khilji

Nature of the Rajputs

1. The Rajputs were great warriors and chivalrous by nature.
2. They believed in protecting the women and the weak.

Religion

1. The Rajputs were staunch followers of Hinduism
2. They also patronized Buddhism and Jainism.
3. During their period that the Bhakti Cult started.

Government

1. The Rajput government was feudal in character.
2. Each kingdom was divided into a large number of Jagirs held by the Jagirdars.

Some of the literary works of this period are

1. Kalhana’s Rajatarangin
2. Jayadeva’s Gita Govindam
3. Somadeva’s Kathasaritasagar
4. Chand Bardai, the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan, wrote Prithviraj Raso in which he refers to the military exploits of Prithviraj Chauhan.
5. Bhaskara Charya wrote Siddhanta Shinomani, a book on astronomy

Rajasekhara

1. The court poet of Mahendrapala and Mahipala
2. His best known works were
3. Karpu ramanjari , Bala and Ramayana

Art and Architecture

1. Mural paintings and Miniature paintings became popular during this period.
2. Khajuraho group of temples,
3. Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneshwar
4. The Sun Temple at Konark
5. The Dilwara Temple at Mount Abu

End of the Rajput Power

1. During the Rajput period there were no strong military power
2. To keep the warring princes in check and to co-ordinate their activities against foreign invasions.

Some popular terms

1. Jauhar: Amass suicide of women in order to escape defilement at the hands of foreign victors.
2. Gita Govindam: ‘Song of the cowherd
3. Rajatarangini -‘River of Kings’,
4. Kathasaritasagara -Ocean of tales’