Test: New Kings & Kingdoms - UPSC MCQ

Rajaraja and Rajendra built the big temples of Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. They were powerful Chola rulers who created these magnificent temples.

Topic in NCERT: Splendid Temples and Bronze Sculpture

Line in NCERT: "The big temples of Thanjavur and Gangaikonda-cholapuram, built by Rajaraja and Rajendra, are architectural and sculptural marvels."

Kings often rewarded the Brahmanas by giving them grants of land. These grants were recorded on copper plates which were given to those who received the land.

Topic in NCERT: Types of land

Line in NCERT: "We have seen that Brahmanas often received land grants or brahmadeya."

Dantidurga performed the Hiranya-garbha ritual to gain power, symbolizing rebirth as a Kshatriya. This ritual, conducted with the help of Brahmins, legitimized his rule and helped him establish the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Topic in NCERT: The Emergence of New Dynasties

Line in NCERT: "mid-eighth century, Dantidurga, a Rashtrakuta chief, overthrew his Chalukya overlord and performed a ritual called hiranya-garbha (literally, the golden womb)."

In Tamil Nadu, for farming, they needed to build walls called embankments to stop the fields from getting too wet during rains. These walls helped keep the water in control so the plants could grow well.

Topic in NCERT: Agriculture and Irrigation

Line in NCERT: "In the delta region, embankments had to be built to prevent flooding and canals had to be constructed to carry water to the fields."

The "Tripartite Struggle" refers to the prolonged conflict among three powerful dynasties of early medieval India: the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Rashtrakutas, and the Palas. This struggle primarily took place during the 8th to 10th centuries and was centered around the control of Kannauj, a region in North India that held great strategic, political, and economic importance.

The Three Dynasties Involved:

1. Gurjara-Pratiharas:

   • The Gurjara-Pratiharas were a dynasty that controlled a large part of Northern and Western India. They were one of the most powerful dynasties of that time and were particularly strong in the regions of modern-day Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

2. Rashtrakutas:

   • The Rashtrakutas were a prominent dynasty in the Deccan region (modern-day Maharashtra, Karnataka, and parts of Andhra Pradesh). They were known for their military prowess and their attempts to extend their influence into Northern India.

3. Palas:

   • The Palas were a dynasty based in Bengal and Bihar (Eastern India). They were strong in the eastern regions and sought to extend their influence westward into the rich and fertile lands around Kannauj.

The Importance of Kannauj:

• Kannauj was a key city in North India due to its strategic location on the Ganges River, which made it a central hub for trade, commerce, and military operations. Controlling Kannauj was seen as essential for any dynasty that wished to dominate Northern India.

The Struggle:

• The struggle was not a single event but rather a series of conflicts over several decades. The dynasties engaged in various alliances, wars, and diplomatic maneuvers to gain control over Kannauj.
• Each dynasty sought to dominate the region and establish its supremacy, leading to a cycle of power shifts and battles. The Gurjara-Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, and Palas all had periods where they controlled Kannauj, but none could maintain lasting dominance.

Outcome:

• The struggle weakened all three dynasties over time, leading to a power vacuum in the region. This allowed other regional powers to rise and eventually led to the decline of these once-great dynasties.
• The Tripartite Struggle is significant in Indian history because it illustrates the complex and competitive nature of early medieval Indian politics, where regional powers were constantly vying for control over key territories.

In summary, the Tripartite Struggle was a prolonged conflict between the Gurjara-Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, and Palas over control of the strategically important region of Kannauj. This struggle was a key event in the political history of early medieval India.

Topic in NCERT: Warfare for Wealth

Line in NCERT: "For centuries, rulers belonging to the Gurjara-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta and Pala dynasties fought for control over Kanauj. Because there were three 'parties' in this long-drawn conflict, historians often describe it as the 'tripartite struggle'."

In the Tamil region, wells were dug, and huge tanks were constructed to collect rainwater for irrigation. These methods helped support agriculture in areas where river channels were insufficient.

Topic in NCERT: Agriculture and Irrigation

Line in NCERT: "In some areas wells were dug. In other places huge tanks were constructed to collect rainwater."

Mahmud of Ghazni raided the subcontinent 17 times with a religious motive means he attacked the subcontinent 17 times for religious reasons.

Topic in NCERT: Warfare for Wealth

Line in NCERT: "He raided the subcontinent 17 times (1000-1025) with a religious motive."

Kalhana penned the book named Rajatarangini in 12th century CE. It is a metrical historical chronicle of north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly the kings of Kashmir, written in Sanskrit. Rajatarangini describe the misrule prevailing in Kashmir during the reign of King Kalash, son of King Ananta Deva of Kashmir.

Topic in NCERT: Prashastis and Land Grants

Line in NCERT: "Unusual for the twelfth century was a long Sanskrit poem containing the history of kings who ruled over Kashmir. It was composed by an author named Kalhana."

The functionaries for collecting revenue were generally recruited from influential families, and positions were often hereditary. This was true about the army as well. In many cases, close relatives of the king held these positions.

Topic in NCERT: Administration in the Kingdoms

Line in NCERT: "The functionaries for collecting revenue were generally recruited from influential families, and positions were often hereditary."

• The big landlords or warrior chiefs in different regions were called "samantas."
• They were like important supporters or helpers to the kings. They had to give presents to their kings, be at their courts, and help them with their army. Sometimes, these samantas became very powerful and rich and decided to be independent from their kings.

Topic in NCERT: The Emergence of New Dynasties

Line in NCERT: "By the seventh century, there were big landlords or warrior chiefs in different regions of the subcontinent. Existing kings often acknowledged them as their subordinates or samantas."

Rulers fought for control over the city of Kanauj to acquire wealth through plunder and land. This means they wanted to get more money and land by winning battles and taking over that city.

Topic in NCERT: Warfare for Wealth

Line in NCERT: "For centuries, rulers belonging to the Gurjara-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta and Pala dynasties fought for control over Kanauj."

To be a member of the sabha, one needed to own land, be aged between 35 and 70, and have knowledge of the Vedas. Additionally, the person should be honest and well-versed in administrative matters.

Topic in NCERT: Insciptions and texts

Line in NCERT: "All those who wish to become members of the sabha should be owners of land from which land revenue is collected. They should have their own homes. They should be between 35 and 70 years of age. They should have knowledge of the Vedas. They should be well-versed in administrative matters and honest."

• Yes, it is True!

• By the seventh century, in various regions of the subcontinent, big landlords and warrior chiefs were known as maha-samanta and maha-mandaleshvara.

• They were important figures who had power and wealth. Some of them even declared independence from their overlords, showing their strength.

Topic in NCERT: The Emergence of New Dynasties

Line in NCERT: "By the seventh century, there were big landlords or warrior chiefs in different regions of the subcontinent. Existing kings often acknowledged them as their subordinates or samantas. As samantas gained power and wealth, they declared themselves to be maha-samanta, maha-mandaleshvara (the great lord of a 'circle' or region) and so on."

- The founder of the Chola dynasty was Vijayalaya.
- Vijayalaya Chola established the Chola rule around the 9th century.
- He captured Thanjavur, which became a stronghold for the Cholas.
- His reign marked the resurgence of the Chola power after centuries of obscurity.
- The dynasty later expanded significantly under his successors, such as Rajaraja I and Rajendra Chola.
- The Chola dynasty became renowned for its contributions to art, architecture, and governance in South India.

Topic in NCERT: A Closer Look: The Cholas

Line in NCERT: "Vijayalaya, who belonged to the ancient chiefly family of the Cholas from Uraiyur, captured the delta from the Muttaraiyar in the middle of the ninth century."

Delhi and Ajmer were the two cities under control of the Chahamanas.

Topic in NCERT: Warfare for Wealth

Line in NCERT: "Other kings who engaged in warfare included the Chahamanas, later known as the Chauhans, who ruled over the region around Delhi and Ajmer."