Samraat Mahenderpal I
Mahenderpal I was given the charge charge of Gurjar Kingdom in 885 A.D. and ruled till 910 A.D. during this period the Gurjar Empire was up to Dinajpur, near Dhaka. During Mahenderpals reign the Gurjar Empire was of even bigger than that of his father Gurjar King Mihir Bhoja because the Palas of Bengal were defeated by the Gurjar Army and the area of Bengal was added in the Empire.
The present day Afghanistan including Pakistan were part of Gurjar Empire. During the reign of Gurjar Pratihar Emperors the East Bengal ( Present day Bangla Desh) and west bengal were the integral part of Gurjar Pratihar Empire. The decline of the Pala dynasty began in the later half or the 9th century A. D. The Pratihar got for some time control over North Bengal. In Dinajpur (now in Bangladesh) an inscription pillar of Pratihar king Mahendra Pal, son of king Bhoja has been found. A prosperous village on the bank of river Srimati in itahar PS is called Pratirajpur.
Source:- The Archaelogical report of dinajpur.
ddinajpur.nic.in/Archaelogical_Assets/Archaelogical_Assets_Page2/archaelogical_assets_page2.html Not many people know about the place Gujarpur in West Bengal, India which is named after The Royal Gurjars
Gujarpur, West Bengal, India map
www.traveljournals.net/explore/india/map/p559130/gujarpur.htmlThere was also a Kamboja cavalry in the army of Gurjara-Pratiharas According Dr H.C. Raychaudhury, numerous Kambojas had joined the army of Gurjara Pratiharas. In fact according to him there was indeed a regiment of the Kamboja soldiers in the army of Gurjar Pratiharas. When the Pala kingdom lost political and military clout over time, some commanders of the Kamboja soldiers took political control of the situation as is normally expected in similar circumstances. (The Dynastic History of Northern India, p 311, f.n. 1). Dr H. C. Ray states: “I must also admit however, that the Bengalese Kambojas may also have come from north-west as mercenaries and then formed into an independent army under a Kamboja chief by successful rebellion” (IHQ., XV-4, Dec, 1939, p 511 Dr H. C. Ray, EI., Vol XXII., p 153, Dr N. G. Majumdar, The Dacca University Studies, Vol I., No 2, April 1936, p 132). Scholars also state that the Kamboja cavalry had also formed part of the Gurjara-Pratihara armed forces in 8th/10th centuries AD. They had come to Bengal with the Pratiharas when the latter conquered part of the province. In fact, there is stated to have been a separate regiment of the Kambojas in the army of the Pratiharas which was given the responsibility to defend the northern-eastern parts of their empire adjoining with the Palas of Bengal. When the fortunes of the Palas sagged low after the death of Narayanapala in early tenth century, these Kambojas, the military associates of the Pratiharas had seized Gauda from Pala king Rajyapala and laid the foundation of the Kamboja empire in north-west Bengal.
Source:- Here in the link given below there is the description of this Gurjar army which was placed at eastern front of Gurjar Empire.
stron.frm.pl/wiki.php?title=Aspasios#Kamboja_cavalry_in_the_army_of_Gurjara-PratiharasBelow is the link from banglapedia which tells about the changes which occurred in bangla during the reign of the Gurjara kings.
banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/B_0140.htmThe next stage in the evolution of the Brahmi script was into the Kutila script, current between the 6th to 9th centuries. The name perhaps comes from the fact that Kutila letters and vowel symbols are rather complex (Kutila, meaning complicated). Almost all modern scripts of India have grown out of the two main forms of the Kutila script. Devanagari evolved from the west regional form of north-Indian Kutila, while Bangla evolved from its eastern or Magadha form. The transformation of eastern Kutila script began in the 6th century AD. Some time during the reign of the Gurjara kings, most possibly during the reign of Mahendrapala I, son of Bhoja, Kutila script entered Bengal. The copperplate inscriptions of his son Vinayakapala, dating from the 10th century AD, are in the Kutila script.
In the south the Gurjar Empire was established up to Karnataka including Karnataka. Please see the following records of Gwalior inscription.Solanki and Chalukyas are one and the same clan of Gurjars
In A.D. 806-7, the indomitable cavalry of Saurashtra under Chalukya Bahukadhavala, supporting Nagabhata II's army defeated the army of Karnataka. In the wars of his overlord, he also fought against the Pala kings of Bengal. Bahukadhavala's father, whose name cannot be deciphered in the inscription, was a feudatory Chalukya ruler of Saurashtra. His grandfather was Kalla. Kalla, therefore, may be accepted as the founder of the Chalukya dynasty in Saurashtra in the middle of the eighth century immediately after the destruction of Valabhi. If this surmise is correct, Kalla would be a contemporary of Nagabhata I. Chalukya Bahukadhavala continued to rule Saurashtra. His son and successor, Balavarman, was the feudatory of Mihira Bhoja as also of his son, Mahendrapala (A.D. 890-910), and is recorded as achieving great victories. He defeated a certain Vishadha, slew Jajjapa and other kings and "thus freed the earth from the Huna race." He also beat back the Rashtrakuta forces on behalf of his overlord.
Samraat Mahipal
Mahenderpal I had two sons Bhoja II and Mahipal.After Mahenderpal Bhoja II became king in A.D. 910 but he ruled for short time till A.D. 912 and was overthrown by Samraat Mahipal who ruled for A.D. 912 to A.D 944.Samraat Mahipal carried forward the work of his encesters.He bulit the Sas Bhau temples in Gwalior which was devoted to God Vishnu (Sahastrabahu) but over the years known as Sas-Bahu temple.
www.tajhotels.com/Cities/GWALIOR/sightseeing.htmwww.tajhotels.com/Cities/GWALIOR/sightseeing.htm?temp1=3747368&temp2=10438468.
Sas Bhau ka Mandir:
These are twin temples adjoining each other both dedicated to God Vishnu (Sahastrabahu) but over the years got known as Sas-Bahu Temple. It was built by Raja Mahipal and got completed in 1093 A.D as per the Sanskrit inscription written. The doorway depicts trinity, ie Lord Bramha, Vishnu and Shiva. The temples are architectural marvels. Large slabs of sandstone are balanced over each other in slanting positions.
Art During The Gurjar Pratihar Age
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gurjar-pratihar2.jpgen.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gurjar-pratihar_art.jpgArad records can be taken to describe the reign of Samraat Mahipal.Al Masudi another traveller who was the writer of 'Murujul Zahab' , , a native of Bagdad, who visited India in the year 915-16 A.D. refers to the great power and resources of the Pratihar king of Kanauj, Al Masudi writes the Bauüra(Varah), who is lord of the city of Kanauj. This is the title given to all the sovereigns of that kingdom. He has large armies in garrisons on the north and on the south, on the east and on the west, for he is surrounded on all sides by warlike kings. The kingdom of the Bauüra, king of kannauj extends about one hundred and twenty square parasangs of Sind, each parasang being equal to eight miles of this country. This king has four armies, according to the four quarters of the wind. Each of them numbers 700,000 or 900,000 men. The army of the north wars against the prince of Múltán, and with the Musulmans, his subjects, on the fron¬tier. The army of the south fights against the Balhará, king of Mánkir. The other two armies march to meet enemies in every direction. Múltán is one of the strongest frontier places of the Musalmans, and around it there are one hundred and twenty thousand towns and villages. In it is the idol also known by the name of Múltán. The inhabitants of Sind and India perform pilgrimages to it from the most distant places: they carry money, precious stones, aloe-wood, and all sorts of perfumes there to fulfil their vows. The greatest part of the revenue of the king of Múltán is derived from the rich presents brought to the idol of the pure aloe-wood of Kumár, which is of the finest quality, and one man of which is worth 200 dinárs When the unbelievers march against Múltán, and the faithful do not feel themselves strong enough to oppose them, they threaten to break their idol, and their enemies immediately withdraw.
Arab scholar Ibn Khurdadha who was the author of Kitabul-Masalikwa-Mamulik (912 A.D.). He has differentiated between the ruling classes, Sabkurifa and Kshatriyas old known as Katarias. He said that Subkurifa (Arabic rendering of Sudshatriya) was the highest clan from which the rulers were selected. For Kataria he says that the people of this clan drank only three cups of wine. Their daughters could be married to these Katarias. It is quite clear that the ruling class as composed in the postclassical period distinguished themselves from the Kshatriyas who had lost their kingdoms long back. I have read the original translation of Ibn Khurdadha’s claim is also supported by Abu Zaid that Subkufria were Gujjars who are written as Ku-chelo by chinese, Al-juzr by Arabs and Gujjars/Gurjars in Indian records. There are seven classes of Hindus, viz., 1st, Sábkufría,* among whom are men of high caste, and from among whom kings are chosen. The people of the other six classes do the men of this class homage, and them only. 2nd, Brahma, who totally abstain from wine and fermented liquors. 3rd, Kataría, who drink not more than three cups of wine; the daughters of the class of Brahma are not given in marriage to the sons of this class, but the Brahmas take their daughters. 4th, Súdariá, who are by profession husbandmen. The 5th, Baisurá, are artificers and domestics. The 6th, Sandália, who perform menial offices. 7th, Lahúd;* their women are fond of adorn¬ing themselves, and the men are fond of amusements and games of skill.* In Hind there are forty-two religious sects;* part of them believe in a Creator and Prophet (the blessing of God be upon them!); part deny the mission of a Prophet, and part are atheists. The Gurjars are referred as Al-Juzr or Juzr by Persians, Kuchelo by chinese scholars,Gurjars by Indian scholars etc. Kataria is clearly Khastriya and must have been used for Non-Gujjar fuedatories of Gurjar Pratihars, Baisura is clearly for Vaish,Brahama for Brahman and Subkufria certainly for Gurjars. It is not only the language since it has been translated thrice first from Hindi to persian and then from Persian to English language, but all the kingdoms in India about whom Abu- Zaid has described, like Gurjar Pratihars,Gurjar Chauhans,Gurjar Parmars, Gurjar Solankis,Gurjar Tanwars belong to the Gurjars.
Source:- Search for Sulaiman, Al Masudi, ABÚ IS,HAK, AL ISTAKHRÍ, IbnKhurdadha and Abu- Zaid in the link of Persian site given below for detailed information.
persian.packhum.org/persian/Arab scholar Ibn Khurdadha has written Sabkufria only for Gurjars since in 912 AD all the kings were Gurjars, like Chauhans, Parmars,Solankis,Tanwars,Chandels where Gurjar Pratihars were the overlords. They are shown above than the Brahmins and that is why the Brahmins who used to offer priestly services to Gurjars Overlords were called Gurjar Brahmins and were considered superior to other brahmins but their gotras were different than that of Gurjar overlords like Gurjar Gaud Brahmins. This was obviouly to identify them as a separate group than other Brahmins and they are still found in numbers Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra state of India. Please see the following research paper published by Department of Historical studies Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi. Please see the page 34 and 35 of the paper where records of various grants given to the Brahmins of Bhardwaj gotras by Gurjar Emperors are mentioned.
sih.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/22/2/181.pdfSamraat Devpal
MahenderpalII was son of Samraat Mahipal ard ruled from A.D. 944 to A.D. 948. Samraat Devpal was the successor of MahenderpalII was a great king and the description about the power of the Gurjar army during his time can be found in the book "KITÁBU-L AKÁLÍM, by Persian Historian " ABÚ IS,HAK, AL ISTAKHRÍ,
ABÚ IS,HAK, AL ISTAKHRÍ, a Persian Historian in his book "KITÁBU-L AKÁLÍM," which was written in 951 A.D. confirms the same story as told by Al Masudi in 915 A.D. about the north front of this Gurjar Army. In Multán there are no men either of Hind or Sind who worship idols except those who worship this idol and in this temple. The idol has a human shape, and is seated with its legs bent in a quadrangular posture on a throne made of brick and mortar. Its whole body is covered with a red skin like morocco leather, and nothing but its eyes are visible. Some believe that the body is made of wood, some deny this; but the body is not allowed to be uncovered to decide the point. The eyes of the idol are precious gems, and its head is covered with a crown of gold, It sits in a quadrangular position on the throne, its hands resting upon its knees, with the fingers closed, so that only four can be counted. When the Indians make war upon them and endeavour to seize the idol, the inhabitants bring it out, pretending that they will break it and burn it. Upon this the Indians retire, otherwise they would destroy Multán
And with all this strength, even though the Gurjar Pratiharas could have easily exterminated the Muslim rule in the Sindh province, they allowed it to remain there. It appears that the danger of the Muslim meance was not fully realized by them. Had they possessed even a general knowledge of the political condition of the lands immediate outside the borders of India on the north-west, they would not have committed such a grave mistake. The indifference of the Hindu Chiefs in general cost them terribly very soon. Dr. Misra has also confirmed the same incidents in the link given below.
www.bharatvani.org/books/hhrmi/ch2.htmhindubooks.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=3002&page=1Gurjar Emperor Dev Pal in 954 A.D. went to Sakambri to suppress a revolt of Gurjar Chauhans (king named Simhraja, who captured another fuedatory, a Gujjar Tanwar price Salvan of Delhi) and was killed by one of his own Vassal, the Allat Guhila of Chittor. Later Allat was killed by another fuedatory Munja a Gurjar Parmar who was ruling at Malwas (Ujjain) and Guhilots were expelled from Chittor. It was not possible for Muslims invaders to enter India before the fall of Gujjar Empire when various clans of Gurjars started fighting among themselves. It was in 954AD when first Gujjar Chauhan king Singhraj asserted independence from his Gujjar pratihar overlords after the death of last Gujjar Pratihar Emperor Devpal of Kannauj. In fact it were not Gaznavid raids which are generally believed to be reasons for the fall of Gujjar Pratihar empire but infighting among the various fuedatories of Gujjars Pratihars overlords like Gujjar Chauhans, Gujjar Parmars, Gujjar Solankis, Gujjar Tanwars, Gujjar Chandellas, Gujjar Guhilots. The other non Gujjar fuedatoris of the Gujjar empire like Fuedatories like Kalchuris, Kambojas, Sandhawas and vassals like Rathors and kachhwahas etc. also took advantage of the situations and freed themselves from the Empire.
After the invasion in A.D. 712-15 which was limited to Sindh, for a period of 300 years all further Muslim attacks were thwarted by Kings like Raja Mihir Bhoja and other Gurjara Kings. So although the first Muslim invasion of India took place in Sindh in A.D 715 the presence of strong Hindu Kingdoms in Central India ruled by Gurjar Kings like Samraat Nagabhata I , Samraat Nagabhata II, Samraat Mihir Bhoja, Samraat Mahenderpal I, Samraat Mahipal ,Samraat Mularaja and later the Gurjara Kingdoms, prevented the march of the Arabs into India this was the period when the Islamic army was on its full swing and had captured the areas upto Spain and North Africa. The Gurjar Pratiharas reached the Zenith of their power during 815 A.D. to 954 A.D. and were called "Gurjareshvaras" and "Raghukulbhushan - Chakravarti".
Pratihar Style of fighing the enemy:
The Pratiharan vidhi or giving battle to the enemy in his own state has been associated with the Gujjar Pratihar rulers. This policy proved to be the panacea for exterminating the invaders. If the Mandsor inscription of Yashodharman (6th century a.d.), is to be believed, the country was at that time ruined by Pakshaniti (factition politics). The earth was afflicted by the kings who manifested pride, who were cruel, through want of proper training, who from delusion transgressed path of good conduct and were destitute of virtuous delight’ (Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarun (Vol III, pp. 146). During this adverse situation, Gurjar Pratihars emerged as the protectors of the nation. Hailing from Ujjain at first, they carried on ceaseless fight against Tajiks and Turuskas and battled with them in the Pamir region. They established their military camps in Kashmir, Gujrawala (Frontier Provinces). The grateful generations acknowledged their great contribution. It was accepted that Gurjar Pratihars, especially Mihirbhoj converted the age of vice into the age of virtue. These kings were endowed with 36 qualities. And the region (Kshetra), where the earlier Pratihars ruled was sanctified in literature especially Puranas as the Punya Avantika bhand (Sanctified Ujjain region)
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