The Pratiharas 8th-11th Century A.D
- The Pratiharas were also called as Gurjara.
- They ruled between 8th and 11th century A.D. over northern and western India.
- Pratiharas: A fortification- The Pratiharas stood as a fortification of India’s defence against the hostility of the Muslims from the days of Junaid of Sind (725.A.D.) to Mahmud of Ghazni.
Rulers
Nagabhatta I (725-740 A.D.)
- Founder of the Pratihara dynasty with Kanauj as its capital.
Vatsaraja and Nagabhatta II
- Played a vital role in merging the empire.
Mihirabhoja
- The most powerful Pratihara king.
- During his period, the empire expanded from Kashmir to Narmada and from Kathiawar to Bihar.
Mahendrapala (885-908 A.D.)
- Son of Mihirabhoja was also a powerful ruler.
- He extended his control over Magadha and North Bengal.
Decline of the Pratiharas
- Rajyapala was the last Pratihara king.
- Vast empire was reduced to Kanauj.
- The Pratihara power began to decline after Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the kingdom in 1018 A.D.
- After the decline of the Prathiharas their feudatories Palas, Tomars, Chauhans, Rathors, Chandellas.
- Guhilas and Paramaras became independent rulers.
- There was complete anarchism in Bengal between 750-760 A.D