Dynasties of North India at the time of Arab Invasions

As we have discussed earlier, most landscape of India at the time of death of Harsha was controlled by numerous regional kings and local chieftains. Whatever consolidation was done by Harsha, it lasted only for his lifetime. The fracturing of northern India was aggravated by the Arab invasion of Sindh, which was first foreign intrusion since Huna hordes invaded in Gupta period. Here is a brief overview of various local powers that ruled various parts of north India in those times.

Sindh [Raja Dahir]

Conquest of India, though considered exceptionally difficult, was one of the early aims of Muslim rulers of Middle East. Before the Arab invasions, Sindh was vied by both Hindus and Buddhists for power and influence. Until 622 AD, Sindh was under a Buddhist Rai dynasty. A Brahmin minister of Rai called Chach usurped the throne and became king. He ruled from capital Brahmanabad, which is now an insignificant town near Hyderabad {capital of Sindh province of Pakistan} in Pakistan. By the time his reign ended in 666 AD, he had alienated territories of Jats, Buddhists and other in neighborhood. The civil unrest worsened during rule of Chach’s son Dahir. It was Raja Dahir who faced Arab invasion in 712 AD. He was attacked, defeated and killed by Mohammad Bin Qasim, a general of Umayyad Caliphate. For Umayyads, this was first foreign land brought under their territory which was inhabitated by the non-Muslims. This was time of fanatic Muslim rulers in Arab whose sole aim was to strengthen Islam and punish those who do not accept Islam. Arab conquest of Sindh is mentioned in the oldest Chronicle of Sindh called “Chach Nama”.

Kashmir [Karkotas]

During times of Harsha, Kashmir was ruled by a Karkota dynasty. The most important ruler of this dynasty was Lalitaditya Muktapida (reign 724-760 AD), who was able to create a vast empire ranging from Kashmir and most parts of northern India and Pakistan. He built the Martand Complex of temples in Anantnag district of Kashmir.

Afghanistan [Hindushahi]

After the decline of Kushanas, Afghanistan area came under the Kabulshahi Kings who were overthrown by a Brahmin chieftain called Lalliya. Lalliya founded the Hindushahi dynasty in Kabul. The capital of Hindushahi was Hund near modern Peshawar in Pakistan. Lalliya, Kamala Toramana, Bhimadeva, Jaipala, Anandapala, Trilochanpala, Bhimapala were the kings of this dynasty.

These kings faced most frequent attacks from Central Asia. In 977 AD, Turkic ruler of Ghazni Subuktgeen {founder of Ghaznavid Empire} had captured Kandahar to prompt Jayapala to launch a strike against him. Overconfident Jayapal’s one lakh strong army was defeated and he was compelled to pay heavy tributes. He defaulted in the payments and was again attacked and defeated. In 1001, Subuktgeen’ son Mahamud Ghazanavi came in Power. Once more Jayapala attacked the Ghaznavid but again defeated. Thus, repeated defeats against the Ghaznavid humiliated him and unable to tolerate these humiliations he burnt himself on funeral pyre.

Another Shahi king Anandpala stood against Mahmud Ghazanavi and is said to have entered into a peace treaty with the later, so that he could die in peace. Some historians compare Anandapala to ancient King Porus.

Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana [Gurjar Pratiharas]

From 6 to 11th century, most parts of northern India in parts of modern Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana region remained under Gurjar Pratiharas. These kings had established Marwar in Rajasthan and built the temple city of Osean near Jodhpur. The prominent Gurjar Pratihara Kings were Nagabhatta-I, Nagabhatta-II and Mihirbhoja. These kings saved western frontiers of India for a long time from Arab invasions on account of their prowess. However, they also kept fighting with the Palas and Rastrakutas among others. The Gurjar Pratiharas were overthrown in 10th century by Palas. After their demise their feudatories such as Guhilots and Chauhans declared themselves independent and established Mewar and Ajmer respectively. Ajmer was established by Ajayraj Chauhan. His successor Vigraharaj captured Dhillika (Delhi) from Tomars. The last mighty king of Chauhans was Prithvi Raj Chauhan-III who was defeated and executed by Mohammad Ghori in 1192.

Bundelkhand [Chandelas and Kalachuris]

Bundelkhand was part of ancient Chedi Mahajanapada and it was also known as Jejakabhukti. In early medieval period, it was under Chandelas and Kalachuris. Chandellas built the famous Khajuraho temples. Similarly, in 11th century, local chieftains of Kalachuri dynasty also rose to prominence and lingered around till 16th century until their territories were annexed to either Delhi sultanate or Mughals.

Malwa [Parmaras]

Malwa was under Parmara rajputs from 9th century to 1305 AD when their territory was annexed by Alauddin Khilji. They ruled from Dhar. One of the important Kings of this dynasty was Raja Bhoj of Dhar, a polymath and man of intellect. He was defeated by a tripartite confederacy of Chalukyas, Rastrakutas and Kachhchawahas. After his death Parmaras were reduced to a local powers, until they were wiped out by Akbar in 1569.

Gujarat / Saurastra [Solankis]

The Saurastra and neighbouring region of Gujarat was under Solankis from 10th to first half of 13th century. They ruled from Anhilwara and were patrons of Somnath temple. The important sovereign ruler of this dynasty was Mularaja under whose reign Gujarati language and script developed. He was defeated by Raja Bhoj of Dhar and was reduced to a vassal. The other successors gradually lost control and by 1297 AD, Gujarat came under Delhi Sultanate.

Bihar, Bengal and Odisha [Palas and Senas]

In the early medieval India, the Palas emerged as important empire builders in eastern India. They were pious Buddhists and constructed monasteries and universities for that religion. The founder of this dynasty Gopala was also the first Buddhist king of Bengal. His son Dharamapala (770-810 AD) became the most dominant power in the Northern and Eastern India. He altogether fought with Gurjar Pratiharas, Rastrakutas and Chalukyas. After an initial career full of defeats, including a humiliating defeat in the hands of Nagabhatta-II, he was able to win the entire Bihar and Bengal. The Kings of Kannauj, Madra, Kamboja, parts of Rajputana were his Vassals.

The last notable Pala king was Mahipala. The successors of Mahipala could not hold their empire and were swept away in Mohammedan torrents. However, around the time of Mahipala’s death in 1043 AD, a Vassal of Palas named Hemanta Sen founded the Sena dynasty which dominated the Rarh region of Bengal for some time. His son Ballala Sena (1160-1178) introduced the social reforms in Bengal known as Kulinism.

Notable Points about Palas and Senas

• Pala founder Gopala built Odantapuri in Bihar for Buddhist monks.
• Dharmapala established the Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur region of modern Bihar. This university was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1200 AD.
• Dharmapala also built Buddhist Viharas at Somapura (now a UNESCO world heritage site in Bangladesh) and Odantapuri. We note here that Nalanda, Vikramshila, Somapuri, Paharpur and Odantapuri are called Five Mahaviharas.
• Atiśa Dipankara was a Buddhist Scholar during the Pala dynasty and was a scholar at the Vikramshila University. He established the Sarma lineages of the Buddhism with Konchog Gyalpo and Marpa Lotsawa.