GK SERIES FOR SSC,IAS,PCS,HAS,HCS
AND OTHER COMPETITIVE EXAMS
(HISTORY-7)
POST GUPTA PERIOD
THE CHALUKYAS OF BADAMI (543 – 755 AD):
·
The
Chalukya kingdom was established by Pulakesin - I in 543 AD.
·
The
capital of the Chalukya kingdom was Vatapi (modern Badami).
·
The
Chalukyas of Badami ruled over all of Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
·
They
were the earliest known proponents of Kannada and were important contributor to
the growth of Kannada language.
·
Inscriptions
from Chalukya period are mainly in Kannada and Sanskrit.
·
Pulakesin
- II, the son of Pulakesin - I, was the most famous Chalukya emperor.
·
Pulakesin
- II defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of the Narmada and halted the southern
expansion of Harsha’s kingdom.
·
Pulakesin
- II also extended the Chalukya kingdom up to the northern portions of the
·
Pallava
kingdom in the south.
·
Pulakesi
- II is famous for the Aihole inscription, which gives details regarding defeat
of Harsha.
Architecture
·
The
architecture of Badami Chalukyas marked an important phase in development of
South Indian architecture. Their style of architecture is also called Karnata
Dravida style architecture.
·
Important
temples include: Lad Khan Temple (Aihole), and Meguti Jain Temple, Durga
Temple, Huccimalli Gudi Temple at Badami, Bhutanatha Temples at Badami,
Sangameswara, Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna Temples at Pattadakal.
·
Chalukya
architecture is known for its fusion of Nagara and Vesara architectural styles.
THE PALLAVAS OF KANCHI (575 – 897 AD):
·
The
Pallavas ruled northern Tamil Nadu and all of Andhra Pradesh between the 3rd
and 9th centuries AD.
·
The
capital of the Pallavas was Kanchipuram.
·
The
most famous kings of the Pallavas were Mahendravarman I (600‐630
AD) and
·
Narasimhavarman
I (630 ‐ 668 AD).
·
Throughout
their reign, the Pallavas were in constant and continuous conflict with the
Chalukyas of Badami as well the Cholas and Pandiyas to the south.
·
The
Pallavas are most famous for their patronage of architecture (eg at Mahabalipuram).
·
Chinese
traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram during Pallava rule.
·
The
official language of the Pallavas was Tamil, but they patronised Sanskrit and Telugu
as well.
·
Mahendravarman
I was a great patron of literature, art and architecture. He is the author of
the Sanskrit play Mattvilasa
Prahasana.
·
He
was considered to be the pioneer of rock cut architecture among the Pallavas.
·
He
also contributed greatly to the Sanskrit dramatised dance worship Kuttiyattam.
·
He
was also credited with inventing the seven string veena called Parivadhini.
·
Narasimhavarman
I was the most famous of Pallava rulers.
·
He
avenged his father’s defeat at the hands of the Chalukyas by defeating Pulakesin
II in 642 AD and occupying Badami (Vatapi). He then assumed the title Vatapikondan.
·
The
majority of the monuments at Mahabalipuram were constructed during the reign of
Narasimhavarman I.
·
List
of important structures at Mahabalipuram
o Decent of the Ganges (Arjuna’s
Penance) - Giant open‐air relief carved out of
monolithic rock, largest in the world; Interpreted to describe the descent of
the river Ganges to earth (or) to describe the penance of Arjuna to receive a
boon from Shiva; Also known as Bhagiratha’s Penance.
o Varaha Cave Temple - Rock‐cut
cave temple; Small monolithic temple; other cave temples include Krishna Cave
Temple, Pancha Pandava Cave Temple.
o Five Rathas - Rock‐cut
temple; The Pancha Rathas consist of five temples, each in the shape of
a chariot. The temples were all carved out of a single large piece of stone.
o Shore Temple – Structural temple;
Built with blocks of granite; Sits on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal; Unlike
other temples at Mahabalipuram, this is structural not rock‐cut.
It is the earliest important structural temple in southern India.
THE RASHTRAKUTAS (752 – 973 AD):
·
The
Rashtrakutas ruled large parts of southern and central India from the 6th to
the 10th centuries AD.
·
The
Rashtrakuta dynasty was established by Dantidurga.
·
They
came into power after overthrowing the Chalukya Kiritivarman-II in 753 AD.
·
They
were based around the Gulbarga region of modern Karnataka.
·
The
capital city of the Rashtrakutas was Manykheta (Karnataka).
·
They
were in continuous conflict with the Palas and the Pratiharas for more than two
centuries.
·
At
the height of their power, the Rashtrakutas kingdom included all of Karnataka and
Maharashtra and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
·
The
most important kings of the Rashtrakutas were Dhruva Dharavarsha (780‐793
AD), Govinda III (793‐814 AD) and Amogavarsha
(800‐878 AD).
·
The
Rashtrakutas issued coins in silver and gold.
·
Kannada
literature attained prominence and importance during the reign of the Rashtrakutas.
·
Kavirajamarga by king Amogavarsha is the earliest
available literary work in Kannada. He also wrote the Prashnottara Ratnamalika, a religious work in Sanskrit.
·
Adipurana, a life history of the first Jain
Tirthankara Rishabadeva in Kannada, was written by Pampa (950 AD). He also
wrote the Vikaramarjuna Vijaya,
based on the Mahabharata story. Pampa is recognised as one of the most famous Kannada
writers.
·
Sri
Ponna wrote the history of the 16th Jain Tirthankara Shantinatha, entitled Shantipurana. His other writings in
Kannada included Bhuvanaika‐Karamabhyudaya,
Jinaksaramale and
Gataprataigata
·
Trikrama
(915 AD) wrote the Nalachampu,
Damayanthi Katha and Madalaschampu
in Kannada.
·
The
Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora (Maharashtra) was constructed by the Rashtrakuta
king Krishna I (8th century AD). The Kailasanatha Temple was carved out of a
single rock, and is known for its vertical excavation i.e. it was carved starting
from the top and proceeding downwards. The Kailasantha Temple is considered to
be the pinnacle of Rashtrakuta architecture.
·
The
Rashtrakutas also built some of the sculptures at the Elephanta Caves near Mumbai.
·
Other
famous Rashtrakuta architecture includes the Kasiviswanatha Temple and Jain
Narayana temple at Pattadakal, Karnataka and the Navalinga Temple at Kuknur,
Karnataka.
·
The
architectural style used by the Rashtrakutas was primarily Dravidian.
THE PALAS (750 – 1150 AD):
·
The
Palas ruled Bengal and much of northern India from the 8th to the 12th
centuries AD.
·
The
Pala dynasty was established by Gopala (750‐770
AD).
·
The
capital cities of the Palas were Pataliputra (Bihar) and Gaur (West Bengal).
·
The
Palas were in continuous conflict with the Rashtrakutas and the Pratiharas for more
than two centuries.
·
The
Pala kingdom reached its peak under Dharmapala (770‐810
AD) and Devapala (810‐850 AD).
·
The
Palas patronized the Buddhist universities at Vikramashila(built by Dharmapala)
and Nalanda. The Nalanda University reached its height during the reign of the
Palas.
·
The
Somapura Mahavihara, built by the Pala emperor Dharmapala, is the largest Buddhist
vihara in the Indian subcontinent (presently located in Paharpur, Bangladesh).
·
The
earliest development of proto‐Bangla language was during
the Pala reign.
·
The
Buddhist texts Charyapada were the earliest form of Bangla language. The
Charyapada is a collection of mystical poems from the Tantric school of Buddhism.
·
The
Buddhist teacher Atisha Dipankara Shrijana wrote over 200 books, primarily translations
of Sanskrit Buddhist manuscripts into Tibetan.
·
Sandhyakar
Nandi wrote the famous epic poem Ramacharitam in Sanskrit (late 11th century). The
Ramacharitam simultaneously narrates the story of the Ramayana as well as
events in Bengal during the Pala reign.
PRATIHARAS (730 – 1036 AD):
·
The
Pratiharas ruled much of northern India from the 6th to the 11th centuries AD.
·
Also
known as Gurjara Pratiharas, they were associated with the Gujjar tribe and were
considered to be Rajputs clans.
·
The
Pratihara dynasty is said to have been founded by Harichandra in the 6th
century.
·
The
capital cities of the Pratiharas were Kannauj and Avanti.
·
They
used Sanskrit, Marwari and Malwi as official languages.
·
They
were in continuous conflict with the Rashtrakutas and the Palas for more
than two centuries.
·
They
were credited with repulsing Arab invasions in western India in the 7th and 8th
centuries AD.
·
Nagabhata
I (730‐756 AD) was the first important ruler. He defeated the
advancing Arab armies at the Battle of Rajasthan (738 AD).
·
Vatsaraja
(775‐805 AD) sought to capture Kannauj, which brought them
into conflict with the Palas and the Rashtrakutas.
·
Nagabhata
II (805‐833 AD) rebuilt the great Shiva temple at Somnath which
had been earlier destroyed by Junaid of Sind.
·
Bhoja
or Mihir Bhoja (836 – 882 AD) was greatest ruler of this dynasty. He was
devotee of Vishnu and adopted the title of Adivarah.
