Kashmir source: Rajatarangini (Kalhana, 1160 CE)
Pala founder: Gopala (750 CE)
Sena last ruler: Lakshmana Sena
Rajput origin: Agnikula (Mount Abu)
Tarain I: 1191 CE (Prithviraj wins)
Tarain II: 1192 CE (Prithviraj loses)
Dynasty Quick Summary
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| Dynasty | Region | Period | Founder | Key Ruler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karkota | Kashmir | 625 CE+ | Durlabhavardhana | Lalitaditya Muktapida |
| Utpal | Kashmir | 855 CE+ | Avantivarman | Queen Didda |
| Lohar | Kashmir | 1003 CE+ | Sangramaraja | Harsh (Kalhana's patron) |
| Pala | Bengal/Bihar | 750–1162 CE | Gopala | Dharmapala, Devapala |
| Sena | Bengal | 1070 CE+ | Samanta Sena | Lakshmana Sena (last) |
| Gurjara-Pratihara | Rajasthan/UP | ~730 CE+ | Harishchandra | Mihira Bhoja |
| Chauhan (Shakambhari) | Rajasthan | ~973 CE+ | Vasudeva | Prithviraj III |
| Paramara | Malwa | ~972 CE+ | Krishnaraja (Upendra) | Raja Bhoja |
| Gahadavala | Varanasi/UP | 1080 CE+ | Chandradeva | Govindachandra, Jayachandra |
| Chalukya (Solanki) | Gujarat | ~10th C+ | — | Bhimraj I (Somnath), Bhima II |
Source — Rajatarangini
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- Author: Kalhana · Year: 1160 CE
- Style: Like Mahabharata (composition)
- Kalhana was court poet of Harsh (Lohar dynasty, 1089–1101 CE)
- Rajatarangini's description ends with Jayasimha (1128–1155 CE)
- Muslim rule established in Kashmir: Shah Mir (1339 CE)
Karkota Dynasty Rulers
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- Chandrapida (713 CE): Faced Arab invasion
Lalitaditya Muktapida (724–760 CE)
Most famous Karkota ruler
- Defeated Kambojas and Turks
- Victories described in Rajatarangini
- Constructed Martand Sun Temple
Utpal Dynasty Rulers
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- Avantivarman: Established city of Avantipura · Officer Suya constructed canals
- Sugandha: Famous female ruler
- Queen Didda (980 CE): Established peace · Took tough decisions · Died 1003 CE
Lohar Dynasty Rulers
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- Harsh (1089–1101 CE): Kalhana was his dependent poet
- Jayasimha (1128–1155 CE): Last ruler described in Rajatarangini
Pala Dynasty — Key Rulers
Tripartite Struggle: Pala vs Pratihara vs Rashtrakuta
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Gopala (750–770 CE)
Founder · Buddhist · People's choice
- Source: Khalimpur inscription of Dharmapala
- People of Bengal made him ruler
- Established Odantapuri (in Bihar)
Dharmapala (770–810 CE)
Most glorious Pala ruler · First in Tripartite Struggle
- Titles: Samrat, Paramasaugata, Parameshwara, Lord of Uttarapatha, Vikramashila
- Established Vikramashila University (Buddhist learning centre)
- Defeated by Pratihara ruler Vatsaraja and Rashtrakuta ruler Dhruva
Devapala (810–850 CE)
Most powerful Pala ruler
- Defeated Pratihara ruler Mihir Bhoja
- Sailendra ruler Balaputradeva of Java → requested 5 villages for Buddhist monastery at Nalanda
- Arab traveler Sulaiman referred to Pala empire as 'Ruhma'
Mahipala I (from 980 CE)
- Attacked and defeated by Chola ruler Rajendra I during Bengal campaign
- Last Ruler: Madanapal (1144–1162 CE) · During Rampala's time — rebellion by Kaivarta caste
Sena Dynasty — Key Rulers
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Ballala Sena
Learned ruler · Title: Gaudeshwara
- Composed: Danasagara and Adbhutasagara (on astronomy)
Lakshmana Sena
Last Hindu ruler of Bengal
- Longest royal title in ancient India (Paramabhagavata, Arirajamardana Shankara)
- Bhakhtiyar Khilji attacked 1202 CE · captured Nabadwip
- Established victory pillars in Puri, Kashi and Prayag
- Court poet: Jayadeva (title: Piyushavarsha)
- Jayadeva composed: Gita Govinda, Prasannaraghava
- Five jewels: Jayadeva, Dhoyi, Govardhan, Umapati, Sharana
Rajput Origin — Agnikula Theory
From fire pit by sage Vashishtha at Mount Abu
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Branch 1
Gurjara-Pratihara
Branch 2
Chalukya
(Solanki)
Branch 3
Paramara
(Parmar)
Branch 4
Chahmana
(Chauhana)
Battles of Tarain — Most Important for Exam
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✅ First Battle of Tarain (1191 CE)
Between: Muhammad Ghori vs Prithviraj Chauhan
Winner: Prithviraj Chauhan
❌ Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE)
Between: Muhammad Ghori vs Prithviraj Chauhan
Winner: Muhammad Ghori
Result: Prithviraj Chauhan defeated & killed
Also: Battle of Chandawar (1194 CE) — Muhammad Ghori defeated
Jayachandra (Gahadavala)
Gurjara-Pratihara Rulers
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| Ruler | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Nagabhata I | Sources: Jain texts — Kuvalayamala, Harivamshapurana |
| Mihira Bhoja (836–885 CE) |
Titles: Adivaraha, Pramana Inscriptions: Varaha copperplate, Gwalior, Daulatpur, Pehowa (Punjab) |
| Yashapala | Last Gurjara ruler |
Flow: Nagabhata I → Mihira Bhoja (836–885 CE) → Yashapala
(last)
Chalukya (Solanki) Rulers
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| Ruler | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Moolraja I | First powerful ruler |
| Bhimraj I | Faced invasion of Mahmud Ghaznavi → Somnath temple (1025 CE) |
| Bhima I (Feudal) | His feudal lord Bimal Shah built Dilwara Jain temples on Mount Abu |
| Bhima II | Last ruler · Attack by Qutbuddin Aibak on Anhilawada (1197 CE) |
Chauhan Dynasty Rulers
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Vigraharaja IV / Bisaladeva (1150–64 CE)
- Composed play Harikeli — parts engraved on walls of Adhai Din ka Jhopra
- Expanded Chauhan territories · Captured Delhi from Tomaras
Prithviraj III (1178–1192 CE)
Greatest Chauhan ruler · Called Rai Pithora
- Source: Prithviraj Raso — Author: Chand Bardai
- Won First Battle of Tarain (1191 CE) against Muhammad Ghori
- Lost and was killed in Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE)
- Jayachandra's (Gahadavala) daughter Sanyogita abducted by Prithviraj III
Gahadavala Rulers
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| Ruler | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Govindachandra (1114–55 CE) | Book: Krityakalpataru / Kalpadruma |
| Jayachandra (1170–1194 CE) | Battle of Chandawar (1194 CE) → Muhammad Ghori defeated Jayachandra · Daughter Sanyogita abducted by Prithviraj III |
Paramara Rulers
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Vakpati Munja (972–998 CE)
- Built Munja Sagar Lake (in Dhar)
- Victory over the Huns
- Titles: Shrivallabha, Amoghavarsha, Prithvivallabha
Raja Bhoja (1010–1060 CE)
Most famous Paramara ruler
- Titles: Navasahasanka, Navavikramaditya
- Established Sanskrit university in Dharanagari
- Constructed idol of Vagdevi (Saraswati)
- Founded Bhojpur town
- Books composed: Saraswati Kanthabharana, Siddhanta Sangraha, Vidyavinoda
⚠ TRAP 01 — Tarain Battles Result
First Battle of Tarain (1191 CE) = Prithviraj WON
Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE) = Prithviraj LOST
Exam mein "kaun jeetaa?" seedha puchha jaata hai — year se identify karo!
Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE) = Prithviraj LOST
Exam mein "kaun jeetaa?" seedha puchha jaata hai — year se identify karo!
⚠ TRAP 02 — Vikramashila vs Odantapuri Founder
Vikramashila University = Dharmapala (Pala)
Odantapuri = Gopala (Pala founder)
Dono Pala rulers hain — lekin alag-alag universities!
Odantapuri = Gopala (Pala founder)
Dono Pala rulers hain — lekin alag-alag universities!
⚠ TRAP 03 — Rajatarangini Author & Patron
Rajatarangini = Written by Kalhana (1160 CE)
Kalhana was dependent poet of Harsh (Lohar dynasty, 1089–1101 CE)
Last ruler described = Jayasimha (1128–1155 CE)
Kalhana was dependent poet of Harsh (Lohar dynasty, 1089–1101 CE)
Last ruler described = Jayasimha (1128–1155 CE)
⚠ TRAP 04 — Gita Govinda Author
Gita Govinda = Jayadeva (court poet of Lakshmana Sena)
Title: Piyushavarsha
Sena's "5 jewels": Jayadeva, Dhoyi, Govardhan, Umapati, Sharana
Title: Piyushavarsha
Sena's "5 jewels": Jayadeva, Dhoyi, Govardhan, Umapati, Sharana
⚠ TRAP 05 — Dilwara Temple Builder
Dilwara Jain Temple (Mount Abu) = Bimal Shah
Bimal Shah was feudal lord of Chalukya (Solanki) ruler Bhima I
NOT built by the king directly — built by his feudal lord!
Bimal Shah was feudal lord of Chalukya (Solanki) ruler Bhima I
NOT built by the king directly — built by his feudal lord!
⚠ TRAP 06 — Tripartite Struggle
3 Participants: Pala + Pratihara + Rashtrakuta
First to enter = Dharmapala (Pala)
Dharmapala defeated by Pratihara Vatsaraja and Rashtrakuta Dhruva
Devapala defeated Pratihara ruler Mihir Bhoja
First to enter = Dharmapala (Pala)
Dharmapala defeated by Pratihara Vatsaraja and Rashtrakuta Dhruva
Devapala defeated Pratihara ruler Mihir Bhoja
⚠ TRAP 07 — Martand vs Kailasanatha Temple
Martand Sun Temple = Lalitaditya Muktapida (Kashmir/Karkota)
Kailasanatha Temple = Narasimhavarman II (Pallava, Kanchipuram)
Dono famous temples hain — dynasty yaad rakho!
Kailasanatha Temple = Narasimhavarman II (Pallava, Kanchipuram)
Dono famous temples hain — dynasty yaad rakho!
⚠ TRAP 08 — Raja Bhoja (Paramara) — NOT Bhoja Pala
Raja Bhoja (1010–1060 CE) = Paramara dynasty (Malwa)
Founded Bhojpur town · Sanskrit university at Dharanagari
Do NOT confuse with Bhoja (Pratihara) = Mihira Bhoja (Gurjara-Pratihara)!
Founded Bhojpur town · Sanskrit university at Dharanagari
Do NOT confuse with Bhoja (Pratihara) = Mihira Bhoja (Gurjara-Pratihara)!
Rajatarangini author?
Kalhana (1160 CE)
Karkota founder?
Durlabhavardhana (625 CE)
Martand Sun Temple built by?
Lalitaditya Muktapida
Karkota dynasty, Kashmir
Utpal dynasty founder?
Avantivarman (855 CE)
Famous female ruler of Kashmir?
Sugandha (Utpal) + Queen Didda (980 CE)
Muslim rule in Kashmir — who?
Shah Mir (1339 CE)
Pala founder?
Gopala (750–770 CE)
Gopala established?
Odantapuri (Bihar)
Vikramashila University founded by?
Dharmapala (Pala)
Most glorious Pala ruler?
Dharmapala
Most powerful Pala ruler?
Devapala
Pala empire called by Arab Sulaiman?
Ruhma
Balaputradeva's request to Devapala?
5 villages for monastery at Nalanda
Tripartite Struggle — 3 parties?
Pala + Pratihara + Rashtrakuta
Sena dynasty founder?
Samanta Sena (from Karnataka)
Gita Govinda author?
Jayadeva
Court of Lakshmana Sena · Title: Piyushavarsha
Last Hindu ruler of Bengal?
Lakshmana Sena
Attacked by Bhakhtiyar Khilji (1202 CE)
Rajput Agnikula — 4 branches?
Pratihara, Chalukya, Paramara, Chahamana
Gurjara-Pratihara real founder?
Nagabhata I
Mihira Bhoja title?
Adivaraha, Pramana
Solanki capital?
Anahilawada (Gujarat)
Dilwara temple — built by?
Bimal Shah (feudal of Bhima I, Solanki)
Somnath temple looted by?
Mahmud Ghaznavi (1025 CE)
Prithviraj Raso — author?
Chand Bardai
First Battle of Tarain (1191) — winner?
Prithviraj Chauhan
Second Battle of Tarain (1192) — winner?
Muhammad Ghori
Battle of Chandawar (1194) — result?
Ghori defeated Jayachandra (Gahadavala)
Adhai Din ka Jhopra — which play engraved?
Harikeli (by Vigraharaja IV)
Raja Bhoja — dynasty?
Paramara (Malwa)
1010–1060 CE
Raja Bhoja's titles?
Navasahasanka, Navavikramaditya
Bhojpur town founded by?
Raja Bhoja (Paramara)
Paramara capital?
Ujjain → Dhar
Gavindachandra's book?
Krityakalpataru / Kalpadruma
Avantipura city — founded by?
Avantivarman (Utpal, Kashmir)
Kaivarta caste rebellion — during whose reign?
Rampala (Pala dynasty)