⚔️ Chapter 0: Invasions & Early Medieval

Tripartite Struggle • Arabs • Turks • Rajputs

1. Tripartite Struggle (8th-10th Century)

Goal: Control of Kannauj (Symbol of sovereignty).

🦁 Palas (Bengal)

Founder: Gopala (Elected by people!).
Dharmapala: Founded Vikramshila University. PYQ
Patronage: Buddhism (Vajrayana).

🐎 Pratiharas (Gujarat/Rajasthan)

Founder: Nagabhatta I.
Greatest: Mihir Bhoja (Devotee of Vishnu/Adivaraha).
Traveller: Al-Masudi visited (called them "Al-Juzr").

                🐘 Rashtrakutas (Deccan): The 3rd Power.

                • Founder: Dantidurga.

                • Krishna I: Built Kailash Temple (Ellora) (Monolithic). Super PYQ

                • Amoghavarsha: Wrote "Kavirajamarga" (Kannada).

2. Arab Invasion (712 AD)

Commander: Muhammad bin Qasim.
Battle: Defeated Dahir (King of Sindh) at Battle of Rewar.
Source: "Chachnama" (Persian text). PYQ
Impact: Introduced Jizya for the first time in India. Introduced Date palm & Camel husbandry.

3. Turkish Invasions

🌪️ Mahmud of Ghazni (998-1030 AD)

Raids: 17 times! (Goal: Plunder, not rule).
1025 AD: Somnath Temple raid (Gujarat). Ruler: Bhima I (Solanki). PYQ
Scholars with him:
• Al-Biruni: Wrote "Kitab-ul-Hind" (Tahqiq-i-Hind). PYQ
• Firdausi: Wrote "Shahnameh".
• Utbi: Court historian ("Kitab-ul-Yamini").

🏹 Muhammad Ghori (1175-1206 AD)

Goal: Empire building.
1178 AD: Defeated by Bhima II (Solanki) at Battle of Kayadara (Mt. Abu). First Defeat!

Battle	Year	Opponent	Result
1st Tarain	1191	Prithviraj Chauhan	Ghori Defeated.
2nd Tarain	1192	Prithviraj Chauhan	Ghori Won. Founded Muslim rule in India.
Chandawar	1194	Jaichand (Gahadavala)	Ghori Won. Jaichand killed. PYQ

4. Major Rajput Dynasties

🏰 Chandellas (Bundelkhand/Jejakabhukti)

Capital: Khajuraho / Mahoba.
Architecture: Khajuraho Temples (Nagara Style).
• Kandariya Mahadev Temple (built by Dhanga/Vidyadhara). PYQ
Warriors: Alha & Udal (fought for Paramardi Dev vs Prithviraj).

👑 Gahadavalas (Kannauj)

Ruler: Jaichand.
Sanskrit Poet: Sriharsha (wrote "Naishadhiya Charitam").

⚔️ Chauhans (Chahamanas)

Ruler: Prithviraj III (Rai Pithora).
Poet: Chand Bardai (wrote "Prithviraj Raso"). PYQ

📚 Parmars (Malwa)

Raja Bhoj: "Scholar King".
• Wrote books on medicine, astronomy, architecture ("Samarangana Sutradhara").
• Built Bhojtal (Bhopal lake).
• Built Sanskrit College (Bhojshala) at Dhar.

🎯 PYQ Sniper Shots

Q: Who founded Vikramshila University?
A: Dharmapala (Pala dynasty).

Q: Kailash Temple at Ellora built by?
A: Krishna I (Rashtrakuta).

Q: Author of "Kitab-ul-Hind"?
A: Al-Biruni (came with Ghazni).

Q: Battle of Chandawar (1194) fought between?
A: Muhammad Ghori vs Jaichand.

Q: Kandariya Mahadev Temple built by?
A: Chandellas (Khajuraho).

Q: Who defeated Muhammad Ghori in 1178?
A: Bhima II (Gujarat).

UPPCS Medieval India