Rajput dynasty

Rajput dynasty

After the rule of Vardhanas of Sthanaveeneshwara, most of the western and the northern India was ruled by Gurjara Prathiharas, Chandelas of Bundelkhand, Garhwalas, Solankis, Paramars, and many other Rajput dynasties. By the end of twelfth century, Rajput Kings like Prithviraj Chauhan, Jayachandra Gharwal, Paramardideva Chandela were the powerful kings of northern India.

Families of Rajput dynasty

Gurjara Prathiharas: The Prathiharas have claimed in many of their inscriptions, that the Laxmana of Ramayana period, a Kshatriya of Suryavamsha, as the founding person of their family. But as per available evidences, Nagabhatta is the founder of this dynasty. The Prathiharas ruled Sindh region by keeping Kanauj as their capital city. They fought back the frequent Arab attacks. Mihara Boja and Mahendrapala, the powerful rulers of this dynasty, had defeated the Pala's of Bengal and had extended their Prathihara kingdom till Bengal. An Arab traveller named Sulaiman had visited the court of Mihira Bhoja and has appreciated the kingdom as it had peace. Prathiharas rule declined the during the rule Mahipala, who succeeded Mahendrapala.

Garhwalas: Chandradeva, the founder of this dynasity, ruled the northern India keeping Varanasi as his capital city. Govinda Chandra is another important ruler of this dynasty. He extended his rule till Malwa and Magadha by defeating Palas. He also defeated the kings of Kalinga and Odissa. The rulers of Kashmir, Gujarath and Chola had cordial relationship with Govinda Chandra.

Paramaras: Paramaras came to prominence after the decline of Prathiharas. Upendra Krishnaraja, the feudatory king of Rashtrakutas, founded this dynasty. Dharanagar was their capital. Bhoja is the most popular king of Paramaras dynasty. He extended the Paramaras state by defeating Kalyani Chalkuyas, Gangas of Kalinga and Northern Konkans. Though Bhoja experienced ups and downs in political sphere, he remained undefeated in the area of literature. He himself was a poet. As the kings who came after him were weak, the Paramar dynasty declined.

Solankis: Moolaraja I is the founder of this dynasty. Though Bheema I is the most famous king of this dynasty, he could not protect the Somanatha Temple from Ghazani's invasion. After him, Moolaraja II and Veeradhawala were capable kings. Moolaraja II defeated Mohammed Ghazni near Mt Abu. During the rule of this dynasty, the famous Jain scholar Hemachandra compiled a Prakruth dictionary, Deshimala'. Ullaf khan and Nusrath Khan, the military generals of Allauddin Khilji defeated Karnadeva and made the kingdom of Solankis a part of Delhi Sultanate.

Chandelas: Dangha is the most famous king of chandelas prospered in Bundelkhand. In the beginning, Chandelas were feudatory kings of Prathiharas. After the decline of Parmaras, Dnanga declared himself independent. He took hold of the eastern part of Parmaras kingdom, and extended his kingdom by defeating Pala and Aadras. Dhanga who had the title 'Maharajadhiraja' (King of Kings) extended military assistance to Hindu Shahi king Jayapala to fight back attacking Turks. Finally, due to the infighting and lack of unity among Rajputs, Khilji Sultans conquered this kingdom.

Chauhans:  

Prithviraj chauhan

The Chauhans Dynasty is the most prominent among the Rajputs. The root of this dynasty is visible during 7th century. The dynasty started its rule in the Ajmer region of Rajasthan. The rulers of this dynasty; Ajaya Raja, Vigraharaja IV and Prithviraja III, made Chauhans the prominent rulers of the western India during 12th century. Prithviraj Chauhan, known for his bravery, defeated the chandelas of Bundhelkhand gaining maheba and kalinjer Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Mohammed Ghori at Terrain. Ghori wanted to extend his Ghor kingdom towards Sindh region. Mohammed Ghori, who was severely wounded in this battle, led another attack towards Delhi in the following year. He defeated Prithviraj Chauhan at Terrain the very place of previous battle. Prithivraj is an embodiment of Raiput valour and bravery.

The contribution of Rajputs

The Rajputs, who ruled during the last part of ancient and the early part of medieval period, encouraged the art, culture and religion liberally. Rajput kings themselves were scholars. Kings like Bhoja, Munja have written various literary works. King Munja had poets Padmagupta and Halayudha in his court. King Bhoja had extended his royal patronage to the Jain scholars; ShanthiPoetic Prabhachandra Suri, and Ghanapala during his rule. The Poetic works like Jayadeva's 'Geethagovinda', Bharavi's 'Keerathanarjuneeya, Bharthruhari's 'Ravana Vadha', Mahendrapala's 'Kavya Meemamse' were written during the rule of Rajputs. Dramas like Rajashekara's 'Bala Ramayana' and 'Karpuramanjari'; Bhavabhuti's 'Mahaveeracharitha' and 'Uthararamacharita'; and historical works like Kalhana's 'Raja Tharangini; Jayanika's 'Prithiviraja Vijaya' and Hemachandra's 'Kumarapla Charitha' are the important works. 'Prithiviraja Raso' by Chand Bardahi and Bhoja Prabandha' by Balalla are the noted biographies of Rajput rulers. Gujarathi, Rajastani and Hindi languages developed during this period. The educational institutions of Nalanda, Kashi, Vikramashila, Ujjaini received support from Rajputs.

The Rajput kings Constructed spacious forts in Chithod, Mandu, Ranathambor, Jodhpur and Gwalior of Northern India. They built palaces in Jaipur, Gwalior, and Udaypur. Dilawar temple, Vimala temple and Luna Vasai temples were built on Mt Abu. All these are beautiful and known for the artistic architecture. The Chandelas built Khandaraya's temple in Khajuraho. Shiva and Vishnu temples were more in number among the temples built during their reign.

They also encouraged painting. The painting style of this period is classified as 'Rajastani painting style' and Phahari painting style'. Rajastani painting style can be seen in Mewar, Bukainer, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Buni. Phahari painting style can be seen in Khasoli, Jammu and Gharwal. Like this Rajputs have a special place in the history of India.