Page 50 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

48  Introduc I ng Ind I a

ancestors, in order to enhance their
political and social status. Early Rajput
dynasties included the Paramaras in Malwa,
the Solankis in Gujarat, the Tomars in Delhi,
the Chandelas in Central India, and the
Chauhans in Rajasthan, whose best known
king, Prithviraj, is still extolled in Rajasthani
ballads for his legendary valour and chivalry.
During this period, independent kingdoms
The elaborate traditional ceremonial procession of a
Rajput prince also existed in Kashmir, the northwest, the
northeast, and in Odisha, where the Eastern
Northern Kingdoms (AD 750–1200) Ganga dynasty, builders of the great temples
Kanauj, once the capital of Harsha’s empire, at Konark and Puri (see pp314–16) ruled.
centrally located in the Gangetic Plains, had All these Rajput and non-Rajput dynasties
by 750 become the focus of conflict fought frequent wars with each other to
between three major dynasties – the gain control of strategic areas, setting
Pratiharas, the Rashtrakutas and the the stage for their downfall – they
Palas. The Pratiharas were a Rajput clan would be unable to form a united
who ruled in Rajasthan and Malwa, front to defend themselves
while the Rashtrakutas (740–973) against outside attack. In between
ruled in the northern Deccan. wars, however, the rulers and
The Palas (750–1150), who were a princes lived in great luxury, in
Buddhist dynasty, ruled Bengal. grand forts and richly ornamented
Each captured Kanauj for a short palaces. Agriculture was well-
while, but finally around 836, the developed, with over 100 types
Pratiharas gained control and held of cereals cultivated. Trade with
it for nearly two centuries. Soon the Arab lands flourished,
other Rajput clans began to establish bringing new prosperity to cities,
independent kingdoms. merchants and craftsmen, and
The origins of the Rajputs are leading to the emergence of many
shrouded in mystery, but they are Woman writing a new towns. This period also saw
known from the 7th century AD in letter, Khajuraho a flowering of literature, as well as
Western India. Some of them may sculpture and temple architecture.
have been descended from Central Asian Outstanding examples, apart from those
tribes who settled in India in the wake in Odisha, are the Khajuraho temples of the
of the Hun invasions (see p47). They called Chandelas (see pp240–41), the Modhera
themselves rajaputra or “sons of kings”, and Sun Temple (see pp422–3) and the Dilwara
their 36 clans claimed descent from the marble temples (see p398), which were
sun and moon, from fire, or from mythical built under the Solankis of Gujarat.

Rajput shield with
sun emblem
700 Arab 783–1036 Pratiharas 871–1216 Rule of 974–1233 Rule of
merchants arrive rule Rajasthan and Imperial Cholas Paramaras
in Western India Kanauj of Thanjavur of Malwa
700 750 800 850 900 950
740–973 800 Adi 900–1192 Rule of
Rule of 916–1203
736 Dhillika (Delhi) Rashtrakutas 750–1150 Shankaracharya Western Gangas, Rule of
builders of
founded by Tomars of the Palas rule preaches his Shravana Belagola Chandelas,
philosophy
Deccan Bengal and builders of
Bihar Khajuraho

048-IND-AT509-1354-Hist3.indd 48 29/04/14 7:21 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
History Portrait template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.2)
Date 20th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm