The Rajput Dynasty/States- UPSC Notes

The Rajput States – Famous Rajput Dynasties

After the fall of the Gurjar-Pratihara Empire, several Rajput states emerged in north India. The most significant of these were the Paramaras of Malwa, Chandellas in Bundelkhand, Chaulukyas (Solankis) of Gujarat, Chauhans of Ajmer and the Gahadavalas of Kanauj.

There were other, smaller dynasties spread throughout the country, such as the Kalachuris of Tripuri (near what is now Jabalpur), the Loharas of Kashmir, the Tomars of Delhi, and the Kachchhapaghats of Gwalior.

The Ghaznavids

Mahmud of Ghazni(998-1030): Mahmud took the reign from his father, Sabuktigin, the first ruler of the Ghaznavids, who ruled from Ghazna. He brought a large part of Persian and Central Asian territory into his empire.

Historians in Ghazni’s courts:

• Firdausi, also known as the ‘homer of the east’, wrote Shahnama.
• Al-Biruni wrote the famous Kitab-ul-Hind, an account of India.

Expedition in India:

• Conflict with Hindushahis who dominated the northwest frontier of India –  Mahmud fought a fierce battle against Jayapal in 1001 CE in the battle of Waihind/Peshawar. Mahmud’s forces severely routed Jayapal, and his capital of Peshawar was devastated.
• He also defeated Jayapal’s successor Anandpal/Anantpal, in the battle of Chach and captured Punjab.
• In 1015 he tried to invade Kashmir but was unsuccessful due to unfavourable weather conditions.
• In 1018, he led three expeditions in the Gangetic plains to amass wealth. First, he plundered the city of Mathura, followed by an attack on Kannauj, the capital of Pratiharas and the wealthiest city of Hindustan.
• In 1022-23, he raided the Ganga Plains again and received bounties from Indian rulers.
• In 1025-26, he raided Somnath temple on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat twice after crossing the Thar Desert. In the 2^nd raid, Jats inflicted heavy losses on Mahmud’s forces. He came again in 1027 for the last time to avenge the Jats.
• After his death, Ghaznavid raids continued. For example, in 1033, Varanasi was raided again.

Fall of Ghaznavids:

• A war of succession broke out after the death of Mahmud, which weakened the empire.
• Resistance in Central Asia: The Persian and Central Asian territories were soon lost. Seljuk Turks frequently raided the Afghan territories.
• Resistance in India: First, under the Parmara king Bhoja in the 1040s, Ghaznavid governors were removed from Hansi and Thanesar. Then, another resistance started under Gahdavals in the 1090s.
• Finally, Ghurids ended the last of Ghaznavids in the late 12^th century.