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DYNASTIES OF NORTH INDIA – UPSC NOTES

DYNASTIES OF NORTH INDIA: Chandelas of Jejakabhukti (Bundelkhand) 📅 Period: 9th–13th Century AD Founder: Nannuka (831–845 AD)
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🗂️ DYNASTIES OF NORTH INDIA – UPSC NOTES

(Chandelas, Paramaras, Tomaras, Chahamanas, Gahadvalas, Kalachuris, Solankis, and Kashmir)

1. Chandelas of Jejakabhukti (Bundelkhand)

📅 Period: 9th–13th Century AD
🔹 Origin: Feudatories of Gurjara-Pratiharas; claimed descent from sage Chandratreya
🔹 Founder: Nannuka (831–845 AD) [UPSC 2022]

📌 Key Rulers & Contributions:

  • Yashovarman (925–950): Built Lakshmana Temple, first autonomous ruler

  • Dhanga (950–999): Annexed Pratihara land; allied with Shahi ruler Jaipal

  • Ganda (999–1002): Supported Anandpal against Mahmud Ghazni

  • Vidyadhara (1003–1035): Built Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

  • Paramardideva (1165–1203): Faced defeat by Prithviraj III & Qutbuddin Aibak; Kalinjar briefly regained

🏛️ Architecture:

  • Khajuraho Temples: UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • Lakshmana Temple (Yashovarman), Vishvanatha (Dhanga), Kandariya Mahadeva (Vidyadhara)

2. Paramaras of Malwa

📅 Period: 9th–14th Century AD
🔹 Origin: Vassals of Pratiharas & Rashtrakutas
🔹 Founder: Upendra (800–818 AD); Capital: Dhar

📌 Key Rulers:

  • Vakpati Munja (972–990): Patron of art, poets like Dhananjaya & Padmagupta

  • Raja Bhoja (c. 1010–1055): Zenith of Paramaras; defeated Turks, wrote:

    • Shringar Prakash (Grammar),

    • Samrangan Sutradhar (Architecture),

    • Champu Ramayana

⚔️ Decline:

  • Mahalakadeva (d. 1305): Killed by Alauddin Khalji's forces

3. Tomaras of Dhillika (Delhi)

📅 Period: 8th–12th Century AD
🔹 Capital: Dhillika (Delhi)
🔹 Feudatories of Pratiharas

📌 Key Ruler:

  • Anangapala Tomara: Founded Delhi, built Lal Kot, Anang Tal

    • Coins: Horseman-bull type, title “Shri Samanta-deva”

    • Surajkund reservoir by King Surajpala

4. Chahamanas (Chauhans) of Sakambhari

📅 Period: 6th–12th Century AD
🔹 Capital: Sambhar → Ajmer (Ajayameru)

📌 Key Rulers:

  • Ajayaraja (1110–1135): Founded Ajmer, repelled Ghaznavids

  • Vigraharaja IV (1150–1164): Took Delhi, built Adhai Din ka Jhonpra

  • Prithviraj Chauhan III (1177–1192):

    • Battles of Tarain (1191 won, 1192 lost to Ghori)

    • Literary works: Prithviraj Raso (Chandbardai), Prithviraj Vijaya

⚔️ End: Rise of Muslim rule post-1192

5. Gahadvalas of Kannauj

📅 Period: 11th–12th Century AD
🔹 Origin: Suryavanshi Kshatriyas
🔹 Capital: Kannauj & Varanasi

📌 Key Rulers:

  • Chandradeva (~1090): Defeated Pratiharas, founded dynasty

  • Vijayachandra (1154–1170): Resisted Ghaznavids

  • Jaichandra (1170–1194):

    • Defeated by Ghori at Battle of Chandawar (1194)

    • His grandson Siyaji founded Rathores of Marwar

6. Kalachuris of Tripuri

📅 Period: 10th–12th Century AD
🔹 Founder: Kokalla I (845–855)
🔹 Known as: Chedis, Haihayas, Katasuris
🔹 Capital: Initially Mahismati → Tripuri (near Jabalpur)

📌 Key Rulers:

  • Gangeyadeva (1015): Revival

  • Karna: Expanded to Prayagraj, Banaras; allied with Chalukyas

7. Chalukyas (Solankis) of Gujarat

📅 Period: 950–1300 AD

📌 Key Rulers:

  • Bhima I (1022–1064): Somnath looted by Mahmud Ghazni

  • Jayasimha Siddharaja (1092–1143): Took Malwa (title: Avantinath), built RudraMahakala temple

  • Kumarapala: Promoted Jainism; patron of Hemachandra

  • Karna II: Faced Alauddin Khalji

8. Kashmir Dynasties

  • Karkotas: Lalitaditya Muktapida – built Martand Sun Temple

  • Utpala Dynasty:

    • Avantivarman (855–883): Built Avantipur, improved irrigation

  • Lohara Dynasty:

    • Reign of Queen Didda → turmoil

  • Fall of Hindu Rule:

    • Ended in 1339 AD with Shah Mir establishing Muslim rule

📌 Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

UPSC 2022:
Question: Who among the following was the founder of the Chandela dynasty?
Answer: Nannuka

UPSC 2023:
Question: With reference to the Gahadvala dynasty of Kannauj, consider the following statements:

  1. Jaichandra was defeated by Muhammad Ghori in the Battle of Chandawar.

  2. Chandradeva was the founder of the dynasty.
    Answer: Both statements are correct

❓ MCQs for Practice

  1. Who was the author of Samrangan Sutradhar?
    a) Somadeva
    b) Raja Bhoja ✅
    c) Hemachandra
    d) Chandbardai

  2. Which battle led to the final defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan?
    a) Battle of Hansi
    b) First Battle of Tarain
    c) Second Battle of Tarain ✅
    d) Battle of Chandawar

  3. The Khajuraho group of temples were constructed by which dynasty?
    a) Paramaras
    b) Chandelas ✅
    c) Kalachuris
    d) Tomaras

  4. Which ruler of Kashmir was known for flood control measures?
    a) Lalitaditya
    b) Avantivarman ✅
    c) Harsha
    d) Jayasimha

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