Kingdoms in India: Paramaras, Chalukvas, Karkota Dynasty, Lohara Dynasty, Utpala Dynasty, Harsha Rashtrakutas, Chalukyan Badami, Chalukyas, & Cholas

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Paramaras of Malwa

Illustration: Paramaras of Malwa
  • The Paramara dynasty was an early medieval Indian royal Rajput house that ruled over the Malwa region in central India during c.800 - 1305 CE.
  • Its most significant ruler was Bhoja I.
  • The seat of the Paramara kingdom was Dharanagara, the present day Dhar city in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Capital: Ujjain, transferred to Dhara (M. P)
  • Malwa՚s Inhabitants: probably a vas­sal of Pratiharas or Rashtrakutas

Bhoja: 993

  • Titles: Kaviraja
  • Founded Bhojasala Col­lege, wrote Ayurveda -saravasva (medicine)
  • Samarangana- sutra-dhara (architecture)
  • Attacked by Chalukyas and Kalachuris

Chalukvas of Gujarat

Illustration: Chalukvas of Gujarat
  • Inhabitant: Gujarat-Anhilwara or Solankis.
  • Capital: Anhilwara
  • Founder: Mularaja I Camundaraja 995

Bhima I: 1022 - 1064

  • 1025 Ghazni plundered Somnath Bhima I after his departure revived the Chalukya power and formed a confederacy with Lakshmi Kama Kalacuri against the Paramaras

Cahamanas of Sekambhar

  • Inhabitants: Sakambha-ridesa also known as Sapadalaksha
  • Capital: Sakambhari, mod­ern Sambhar in Rajasthan
  • Founder: Simharaja; de­clared independence from Pratiharas

Vigraharaja IV Visaladeva 1153 - 64

  • An inscription found at Bijolia (Mewar) specially credits him with conquest of Delhi which must have wrested from Vijayachandra Gahadavalas or Tomars
  • The Harakeli -Nataka, portions of which were re­covered form an inscribed stone slab on the wall of a mosque named Adhai-din-Ka-Jhopra, is supposed to be his composition;
  • Lalita Vigraharaja -simi­larly discovered, was . written in his honour by Mahakavi Somadeva.

Prithviraja III Rai Pithora

  • Put down the revolt of Nagarjuna, son of his uncle Vigraharaja.
  • Defeated the Chandella Paramardi, and occupied Mahoba and other fortresses in Bundelkhand.
  • Invaded Chalukya Bhima III of Gujarat.
  • Battle of Tarain.

Guhilas of Mewar:

  • Capital: Nagahrada trans­ferred to Aghata in lOthA. D.
  • Founder: Guhadatta- 6th AD

Kashmir

Karkota Dynasty (625 to 1003 CE)

Illustration: Karkota Dynasty (625 to 1003 CE)
  • Founded by Durlabhavarman in 627 A. D.

Tarapida Lalitaditya Muk-Tapida-724 - 760

  • Alliance with Yasova-rman. Defeated Tibetans.
  • Kalhana gives information about his conquests.
  • Repulsed Arab, won vic­tory over Kambojas Dards and Turks.
  • Sent missions to China.
  • Foundation of Martanda Temple.
  • His court adorned by Kshiraswamin, Udbhata, Damodara Gupta, Vamana.

Utpala Dynasty

  • Founded by Avantivarman 855 - 883

Lohara Dynasty

  • Founded by Samgra-maraja under his low caste favourities.
  • The Lohara dynasty were Hindu rulers of Kashmir between 1003 and approximately 1320.
  • The early history of the dynasty was described in the Rajatarangini a work written by Kalhana in the mid-12th century and upon which many and perhaps all studies of the first 150 years of the dynasty depend

Harsha (C. 590 - 640)

Illustration: Harsha (C. 590 - 640)
  • Introduced custom of put­ting on head dress - ear rings in Kashmir overthrown by the two brothers Ucchala and Sussala of collateral Lohara dynasty.
  • Harsha (c. 590 – 647) , also known as Harshavardhana, was an Indian emperor who ruled North India from 606 to 647 from his capital Kanauj.
  • He belonged to Pushyabhuti Dynasty.
  • He was the son of Prabhakarvardhana who defeated the Huna invaders and the younger brother of Rajyavardhana, a king of Thanesar, Haryana.
  • He was the founder and ruler of the Empire of Harsha and at the height of his power his empire spanned the Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bengal, Odisha and the entire Indo-Gangetic plain north of the Narmada River.

Rashtrakutas

Illustration: Rashtrakutas
  • Rashtrakuta was a royal dynasty ruling large parts of the Indian Subcontinent between the sixth and 10th centuries.
  • The earliest known Rashtrakuta inscription is a 7th-century copper plate grant detailing their rule from Manapura, a city in Central or West India.

Chalukyan Badami Origin (543 - 753)

  • Origin: A descent from Satyaki, a Yadava chief of north but Chalukyan records attributes them as Kutunibins and agricultur­ists.
  • Capital: Manyakhet, (Mal-khed) Modern Sholapur. Founder: Dantivarman or Dantidurga

Amoghavarsha: 814 - 878 a. D

  • Jinasena who wrote Adipurana, Mahavira-charyas who wrote Gantiasara Samgraha; and Saktayana who wrote Amoghavirilti.
  • Amoghavarsa himself wrote “Kavirajamarga” which is the earliest Kannada work on poetics.
  • Equated with Vikramaditya and Sulaiman, an Arab traveller, rates him equal to the ‘Caliph of Baghdad and Turkey’ .

Chalukyas of Kalvana

  • Nearest enemy called Cholas of Tanjore.
  • Capital Kalyani (Karnataka) Origin: Overthrew Rashtr­akutas.
  • Founder: Tailpa or Taila n 974 - 997

Hoysalas of Darasamundra

  • Founder: Nrpakama: a petty chieftain of Sasakpura.

Vinayaditva Bhillama V 1189 - 1220

  • Over threw Somsevara IV

Kakatiyas of Warangal 1000 - 1326

  • Bheta I: A sudra, ruled Naldona
  • Prola I: Chalukyan su­premacy
  • Bheta II: Received salbi sariya and Karimmagar from Chalukya Vikramaditya

Cholas

Illustration: Cholas
  • Nearest rival Chalukyas of Kalyana
  • Origin: Stemmed up from the of Pallavas of Kanchi;
  • Capital: Tanjore
  • Founder: Vijayalaya 850 AD 857 AD

Rajaraja I: 985 - 1014

  • Titles: Mummadai Chola-deva (Chola 3 times) , Immadi Chola (2 times Chola) , Nurmadi (100 times Chola) ,
  • Sri Lanka - named Mummadi Cholamandalam; captured Maldives and cap­tured 1200 islands and cap­tured a part of Ceylon.
  • Ardent supporter of Shaivism; therefore, as­sumed title: Shivapada Shekhara
  • Granted village for main­tenance of Buddhist viharas, built by a King of a Sailendra dynasty at Nagapattam called Maravijayotungavarman
  • Introduced the practice of giving royal names to idols,
  • local self government; Rev­enue , In 1000 got lands mea­sured.
  • Introduction of the system of auditing of the accounts of the village assemblies and other local bodies.
  • Built ternple of Rajarajesh-wara at Tanjore, Vishnu Temples.
  • Introduced system of yuvaraja in the system of ad­ministration.
  • Encouraged trade with S. E. Asia and China.
  • Greatest contributions:-the tradition of beginning the Chola epigraphs with histori­cal introductions.
  • Wife was Lokamahadevi, and daughter was Kundava (eldest) .

Rajendra Chola 1014 - 1044

  • Titles:-Gangai konda chola, Mudikonda, Kadarana-konda, Pandita Chola, Uttama Chola
  • In 1012 declared Yuvaraja
  • In 1017 annexed whole of Sri Lanka.
  • Founded new capital Gangaikondacholapuram, Trichirapalli (T. N.)
  • Irrigation: immense artifi­cial tank which was filled by water from the channels of Vellar Rivers, called Chola Tank

Rajadhiraja 1044 - 1052

  • Asvamedha sacrifices were conducted in 1044.
  • Subdued the Pandyan and Kerala and Sri Lankan League.
  • Asvamedha celebration
  • Defeated and killed by Somesvara I in Battle of Koppam; mentioned as Annaimerunjina (one who died on elephant back) .
  • Seized Kolapuram and burnt down Jaina Temple.

Rajendrachola II (Kulottunga I) (1070 - 1120)

  • Title: Talakadgonda, Tribh-uvanachakravarti, Sun gand-havriddha who abolished Taxes: Sugandh or Sankam, Viruddharaj a-Bhy ankara.
  • Matrimonial alliance:-Vimaladitya of Vengi.
  • Trade with china; send embassies.
  • Internal administrative re­forms.
  • Sankam (tariff) abolished.
  • In1086, ordered second survey of the land instead of self-glorification, and tried to protect fiscal resources.
  • Mother՚s name: Amang-devi (Daughter of Rajendra Chola I) and Father՚s name was Rajaraja I; he was 75% Chola by blood.

Administration

  • Kinship was based on di­vine origin; king was the fountainhead and his oral or­ders were called Tiruva-kyakelavi. It was the law.
  • They had four capitals:
    1. Tanjore,
    2. Gangaiko­ndacholapuram,
    3. Mundik-ondacholapuram and
    4. Kanchi
  • Higher officials were called: Perundaran and Lower officials were called Sirutaram
  • Dispatch Clerks: Vidai-adhikari
  • Welfare state and probably taxation was quite low and the village council collected public revenue in both cash and kind.
  • Army consisted of: El­ephant, Cavalry and Infantry. Elephant 60,000 and Army 1,50, 000.
  • Kadagam or Padavidu was Cantonment.
  • Horses imported from Arabia.
  • Velakaras: King՚s Body­guard.
  • In the army mostly Keralans were appointed
  • Army consisted mainly of Kaikolas (Men with strong arms)
  • King use to lead army from the front: Rajaditya killed in Takkolam and Rajadhiraja killed in Koppam.
  • Mahadandanayaka; Nayaka and Senapati (Vellalas) ; wars were fought mainly for me shake of cattle lifting
  • Hero of the war was called Kshatriyashikamani.
  • During the time of Rajaraja I: Naval force reached climax: won over Coromandal, Malabar and Bay of Bengal was reduced to Chola Lake.
  • State was consisted of Mandalam, then Mandalam was divided into Valanadu or Nadu and Nadu was divided into Kurram or Kottam and then it was autonomous units.
  • Provinces were headed by Royal Blood.
  • Chola Government was famous for self-government.
  • The commercial activities held at Nagaram
  • Village Administration was divided into two parts: Ur and Sabha. We have little information reagrding Ur: it may be organised village sabha in which people were owners of land and they had membership in local bodies.
  • Mahasabha: Agrahara⟋ Brahmdeya grants found mainly in Tondaimandalam and Cholamandalam
  • Parantaka՚s Uttaramerur Inscription (919 and 921) gives information about the functioning of the Sabha.
  • The Member of Executive Committee of Sabha was called Variyam; the qualifi­cation for the membership was following:
    1. Ownership of more than l⟋4th veli (about acre and half) ; 1 Veli was 6 acres.
    2. Residence in a house built on own՚s site.
    3. Age 35 - 70.
    4. Knowledge of Vedic lit­erature.
    5. If does not own l⟋4th of veli and can have knowledge of one Veda and l⟋8th veli was must.

Disqualification

  1. 3 years or more has been member of, a committee
  2. If the person concerned does not timely submit its ac­counts
  3. If there was any incest (prohibited relationship within family)
  4. Those who had stolen the property of pthers.
  • Sabha had 30 members: called Kudunibus; out of thirty members 3 main com­mittees were there:
  • Garden and Tank Com­mittee: 12 Numbers: called SamvatsaraVariyum
  • Tank committee: Erivariyum: 06 Members
  • Garden Committee on maintenance of Roads: Tottavariyait
  • There was as many as two standing committees: Panchavaravariyum (Stand­ing committee) and Ponava-riyam (Annual Committee)
  • The menders are called Veriyaperumakal and Mahasabhd was called Perugural and members called Perumakal Sabha congregated near a temple tree a bank of river and resolutions of Sabha was called Vyavasfhai

Powers of Sabha

  1. Possessed proprietary rights over the communal land
  2. Did everything prelimi­nary to the land required by the Central government;
  3. Cooperated with royal of­ficials in estimating and as­sessing and assessing revenue;
  4. The Government, in or­der to bring change in the classification of land needed to consult them
  5. Collected taxes for the welfare of the villages.
  6. Assisted the Police in or­der to prevent crime
  7. Also had judicial powers: Nyayattar (Nattar: assembly of Nadu)
  8. Any grant (Dharma-variyam) , supervision, maintained of road, irriga­tion, tanks and gardens.
  9. Padikavalknh: Police tax
  10. Udankuttan: Royal ATtendants.

Society and Economy

  • Salabhoga: Land granted for educational purposes
  • Paddy was the medium of exchange
  • There were three main ce­reals: Samidhanya; Sukha and rice
  • Dams for irrigation sur­rounded: Highest dam Srirangam: 1080 ft
  • Shiraf was the meeting point of the traders;
  • According to Morco Polo Ginger and Cinamom was available in. Pandvaa state.
  • According to Idrisi, a mer­chant: cardamom: Hills of Fundrina (Malabar)
  • According to Ibn Sayyid: Malabar was centre of pep­per and Sandlewood: Malaya Hill, in Western Ghat.
  • Chau Ju Kua: Tusks (Ivory) , Drugs and Camphor
  • Textile production was prominent and was exported. Perfumes, spices and pre­cious stones to China; Gujarat was famous for Tex­tile.
  • Import: Horse: Arabia⟋ Persia (220 dinar) ; Horse dealer: Kudiraicheti
  • Trading Corporations was called: Nnanadeshi-tissaiyaira-tuaniruvar
  • Smriti Chandrika says: Trade was extended up to Farmosa
  • Guild organisation was Manigramam or Valaniyar
  • College was called Inairama, Tirubhuvani, Tiruvadu, Tiruvoryur
  • The society was divided into two groups: Valangai (traders, cultivators, and labourers) and Idangai (craftsman)