Tripartite struggle (790-1162AD) History, Cause & Consequences [UPSC Notes]

After the decline of Harsha’s empire in the 7^th century, several large states arose in North India, the Deccan, and South India. The Palas, the Pratiharas, and the Rashtrakutas were prominent among them.

The Tripartite Struggle for Kannauj, aka The Kannauj Triangle Wars, is the struggle for the control of northern India that took place in the 8th and 9^th Centuries among the Pratihara, the Pala and the Rashtrakuta Empire.

Who Were the Parties Involved in the Tripartite Struggle?

Three parties were involved in the Tripartite Struggle:

1. Rashtrakuta Dynasty
2. Pratihar Dynasty
3. Pala Dynasty

The Palas originated from the Gauda region of Bengal in eastern India. At the same time, the Pratiharas rose from the Mandor (Avanti-Jalaor region) area in western India. The Deccan area of India came to be dominated by the Rastrakutas.

The Rashtrakuta Dynasty

• In Sanskrit, the name ‘Rashtrakuta’ means ‘Country’ (Rashtra) and ‘Chieftain’ (Kuta). The word Rathika appears in Ashoka’s (Mansehra, Girnar and Dhavali) edicts, which may have been the Rashtrakutas’ ancestors.
• However, their ascension began in 753 CE, when Dantidurga, a feudatory of the Chalukyas of Badami, defeated their King Kirtivarman II.
• In 753CE, he took the title Rajadhiraja declaring himself king over local feudal kings according to the Ellora record of Dantidurga. Eventually, the Rashtrakutas controlled all of the Deccan and central India, becoming the strongest house in India.

The Gurjara Pratihar Dynasty

The Pratiharas of Mandavyapura (today’s Mandor near Jodhpur) first appeared in the 6^th Century CE. By the 8^th century, they emerged as the powerful Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty, which ruled between mid 8^th To 11^th centuries.

• Mythological theories:
  • Chander Bardai has mentioned in Prithviraj Raso that Pratiharas have emerged from an agnikund during a sacrifice performed by the Sage Vashista on Abu mountain.
  • The literary meaning of Pratihara is doorkeepers. It is believed that they are descendants of Lakshmana, who served as his brother Rama’s doorkeeper, hence the name Pratihara.
• Nagabhatta-I was the founder of the Gurjara Pratihar Dynasty. He is believed to have ruled between about 730 CE – 760 CE.
• However, Gurjaras existed before Nagabhatta-I, as mentioned in Banabhatta’s Harshacharit and Ravikirti’s Aihole inscription. In all such inscriptions, they are mentioned as Gurjaras, even though they called themselves Pratirharas.
• Mihir Bhoja, the hero of Gwalior Prashasti, is considered its greatest ruler.