Indian History after Guptas (Early Medieval 600 - 1200 CE): - **Term ‘early medieval’:** Intermediate transition period between ancient and medieval. ~ Marked by: - Feudalism. - Political fragmentation. - Formation and proliferation of various states at the regional level. - In south India, viewed as a period of segmentary statehood where the king's role diminished, acting more as a ritual head. “*Phases (c. 600-1200 CE): 1. **Period from c. 600-750 CE:** - North India: Dominated by Pushyabhutis of Thaneswar and Maukharis of Kannauj. - South India: Dominated by Pallavas of Kanchi, Chalukyas of Badami, and Pandyas of Madurai. 2. **Period from c. 750-1200 CE:** **Phase I (c.'750-1000 CE):** - Gurjara Pratiharas (northern India). - Palas (eastern India). - Rashtrakutas (Deccan). -*Phase Il (c, 1000-1200 CE):** - Age of conflict. - Breakdown of tripartite powers into smaller kingdoms. - Innorthern India, Rajput states emerged: Chahamanas, Chandellas, Paramaras of Malwa. - Resistance against Turkish attacks from northwest India by Mahmud Ghazni and Mohammad Ghori. - Period from c. 850-1200 CE in south India: Supremacy of the Cholas. Indian History after Guptas (600-1200): + Though India was politically divided during these years, this era added new and rich cultural elements in the fields of art, literature and language. 4 In fact, some of the best specimens of temple architecture and Indian literature belong tothis period. Early Medieval India (600-1200 CE) Outline: -*Characteristics:** - Political Fragmentation. - Emergence of "Indian Feudalism" with hierarchical titles (Samantas, runak, rauta — mahasamanta, mandaleshvara). - Hereditary revenue positions. - "Administrative Functions:** - Some officials may assure minor administrative functions. - Political: - Decentralized power system. - Standing army. - Bureaucracy. - Rise of regional kingdoms. - Economy: - Agriculture-based economy. - Trade: Both long-distance and local. - Self-sufficient economy. - Jajmani system. - Coins: Gold. -*Cultural Impact:** - Emergence of local languages. - Bhakti movement leaves an indelible mark in Indian cultural history. - **Economic Aspects:** - Agriculture plays a crucial role. - Both long-distance and local trade thrive. - Economy is self-sufficient.- Jajmani system in place. - Use of gold coins. -*Cultural Developments:** - Emergence of local languages. - Bhakti movement significantly influences Indian cultural history. Rise of Rajputs “ Various dynasties between Harsha Vardhana and the 12th Century. “As per tradition there were 36 Rajput clans: > Gurjara Pratiharas > Tomars > Chalukyas > Paramaras > Gahadavalas > Kachapaglsatas > Solanki > Chauhan > Rathors of Kanauj > Chandellas of Bundelkhand > Sisodias of Mewar * As per tradition there were 36 Rajput Clans. After the disintegration of the Gupta Empire: - Fall of Gupta Empire by 550 CE. - Rise of numerous regional dynasties across the sub-continent. - Kumaragupta III's rule (530-540) highlighted the Gupta Empire's weakness. - Feudatories seized the opportunity, establishing independent kingdoms in North India. ~ Po --Gupta political dispensations depicted in the 6th-century AD map.Gupta’s Successor States in Northern India: - Four major kingdoms after Gupta decline until Harsha's rise (beginning of the 7th century): - Guptas of Magadha. - Maukharis of Kannauj. - Maitrakas of Valabhi (Saurashtra). - Pushyabhutis of Thaneswar. - Competition among these kingdoms to succeed Gupta glory. - Other powers included Malwa under Yashodharman, Gaudas of Bengal, and Kamarupa Kingdom of Assam. Later Guptas of Magadha: - After Gupta Empire decline, Later Guptas ruled Magadha. - Krishnagupta founded the Later Gupta dynasty. - Ruled Magadha between the 6th and 7th centuries. - Succeeded imperial Guptas, likely feudatory, and asserted independence after Gupta fall. - Information derived from: - Aphsad Inscription of Adityasena in Gaya. - Deo-Barnark inscription of Jivitagupta Il in Bhojpur district of Bihar. - Named Later Guptas due to rulers’ names ending with "Gupta," possibly portraying legitimacy as Gupta successors. - Some kings of this Gupta family were powerful, ruling as far as the Brahmaputra River. Maitrakas of Vallabhi: - Gupta Empire decline in the middle of the 5th century A.D. - Senapati Bhatarka, Maitrak general, seized the opportunity in 470 AD, establishing Vallabhi as the Maitrak kingdom. - Capital shifted from Girinagar to Vallabhipur, near Bhavnagar, on Saurashtra's east coast. - Maitrakas became powerful, ruling over Gujarat and adjoining Malwa.- Eran Stone Pillar Inscription of Bhanugupta mentions a significant battle between Guptas and Maitrakas. - Maitrakas, initially tributaries of the Guptas, formed an independent kingdom in western India. - Developed Vallabhi as a center of learning and a port town with flourishing trade. **Dhruvasena I:** - Third son of Bhattarka, reigned c. 519 - c. 549 CE. - Formed a matrimonial alliance with Harisena, Vakataka king of Avanti, marrying Queen Chandralekha. - Yashodharman of Malwa defeated Harisena and the Huna king Mihirakula during his reign (528 Ce). - Dhruvasena I likely acknowledged Yashodharman's overlordshi ~ Called himself 'Paramabhagavata,' the great Vaishnava. - Liberal in religious beliefs, made grants for a Buddhist monastery and to Brahmanas. - Jain council at Vallabhi probably held during his rule, arranged by his wife Chandralekha. Vallabhi University Revival: - Established in the 6th century, flourished for 600 years until the 12th century. - Located in the Saurashtra region of modern-day Gujarat. - Significant center of Buddhist learning, championed Hinayana Buddhism (600 CE - 1200 CE). - Famous for providing quality education, graduates held higher executive posts. - Chinese travelers Itsing and Hiuen Tsang described it as a great learning center during the ‘th century. - Destruction caused by war, resulting in the defeat of the king of Vallabhi and the destruction of buildings and monuments. **Dhruvasena Il:** - Most important ruler of the Maitrakas, known as Baladitya. - Reigned from c. 627-6i41 CE, well-versed in grammar and polity. - Married to Harshavardhana's daughter, attended Harsha’s assembly at Prayaga (Allahabad).- Maitrakas ruled until the middle of the 8th century; weakened by Arab attacks. - Coinage: - Issued coins (drachms) in the style of Western Kshatrapas. - Demonstrated excellent minting techniques. - Obverse carried a stylized bust with military characteristics, and reverse had their name and title in Brahmi legend. **Revival (2017):** - Government of India proposed to revive Vallabhi University in 2017, a renowned Buddhist learning center during the Maitraka Empire. Religion under Maitrakas of Vallabhi: - Predominantly followers of Shiva, except for Dhruvasena I (Vaishnava) and Dharapatta (sun- worshiper).. - Used 'parama-maheshwara' title for kings, except Dhruvasena I and Dharapatta. - Symbols like Nandi (bull) and Trishula (trident) in coins and inscriptions. - Maitraka derived from Mithra, the Sun deity. - Presence of Vaishnavism and Goddess worship. - Rule continued until the 8th century, weakened by Arab attacks. ~ Nurnerous Buddhist Viharas. - Vallabhi council, significant Jain gathering, during Dhruvasena I's reign (519-549 CE). -Maitrakas showed religious tolerance, making donations without partiality. Relationship between Pushyabhutis and Maukharis: - Harshavardhana’s sister Rajyashri married Grihavarman. - Shashanka (ruler of Bengal) and Dev Gupta (Later Gupta ruler) jointly attacked Grihavarman, resulting in his death. ~ After Harsha Vardhana's successful expedition, the kingdom of Kanauj merged with the Pushyabhutis, and Harsha shifted the capital from Thaneswar to Kannauj.**Important Maukhari Rulers:** **Hari Varhmana Maukhari (mid-6th century CE):** - Progenitor of the Kanauj Maukhari: - Adopted the title Maharaja, indicative of a feudatory posi - Contemporary of Krishnagupta, founder of the Later Gupta dynasty. **Advaita Varmana:** - Succeeded his father, assumed the title of Maharaja. **Tshanavarmana (c. 554 CE):** ~ Real founder of the Maukhari Dynasty. - Adopted the title ‘Maharajadhiraja' (mentioned in Asirgarh Copper Plate Inscription of Madhya Pradesh). - Kingdom stretched to Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Gauda. - Fought against the Hunas, defeating them and possibly fighting as feudatories of Baladitya of the Imperial Gupta family. - Harsha's inscription claims his victory over the Sulikas (probably Chalukyas). - Faced opposition from later Guptas, prolonged struggle, and a crushing defeat at the hands of Kumaragupta. - Seals and coins indicate he was learned, a just ruler, a brave warrior, and a patron of education. **Sarvavarmana (c. 560-585 CE):** - Probably Ishanavarmana's son. - Succeeded his father, maintained control over Magadha, keeping the later Guptas subordinate. - Asirgadh Inscription in Nimar district of Madhya Pradesh narrates victory over Damodargupta, describing Nimar as a 'Maukhari outpost in the Deccan.’ **Avanti Varmana (c. 585-600 CE):**- Nalanda Seal mentions Sarvavarmana’s son, Avantivarmana, as his successor. - Assumed the title Maharajadhiraja. - Extended the kingdom's boundary by transferring the capital to Kannauj. - Maukhari empire reached its peak under his rule. **Grahavarmana (around c. 600 CE):** - Succeeded Avantivarmana, married to Rajyashri (daughter of Prabhakar Vardhana from Pushyabhuti family). - Killed by Deva Gupta of Malwa (later Gupta lineage). - Harsha Vardhana later merged the Maukhari kingdom with the Pushyabhuti kingdom. - Gradual disappearance of the Maukhari family into obscurity. **Rise of Pushyabhutis of Thanesar: Conditions after Guptas:** - Gupta Empire provided stability until the middle of the 6th century CE. - Decline led to the splitting of northern India into several kingdoms. - Kashmir, Punjab, and northwest India came under the Hunas, while north and western India were ruled by Gupta feudatories. - Pushyabhutis gained prominence after the Gupta fall, having their capital at Thanesar, near Kurukshetra, Haryana. - Originally feudatories of the Guptas. **Sources of Information of Pushyabhutis:** - Harshacharita (biography of Harsha by Banabhatta). - Travelogs of Chinese pilgrim Hsuan Tsang and Si-Yu-Ki. - Limited information about the first three kings. **Prominent Pushyabhuti Rulers (possibly mythical):** - Naravardhana: 500-525 CE. ~ Rajyavardana I: 525-555 CE. - Adityavardhana: 555-580 CE. - Prabhakara-vardhana: 580-605 CE.- Rajya-vardhana: 605-606 CE. - Harsha-vardhana: 606-647 CE. **Pushyabhutis of Thanesar-** - Became influential with Prabhakarvardhana’s accession (580-605 CE). - Prabhakarvardhana, a great general, defeated the Hunas and expanded his rule to Punjab, Haryana, Malwa, and Gujarat. - Formed a significant alliance by marrying his daughter to the Maukhari ruler Grahavarman. - First ruler to assume the title of Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja. - After his death, his elder son Rajyavardhana was treacherously killed by Shashanka, the king of Bengal and Bihar.