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Pala Invasion of Kannauj

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Pala invasion of Kannauj
Part of Tripartite Struggle

The Tripartite Struggle
Location
Result Pala Empire victory
Territorial
changes
Kannauj came under the protection of the Pala Empire.[1]
Belligerents
Pala Empire Ayudha dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Dharmapala
Chakrayudha
Indrayudha
Strength
Unknown Unknown

The Pala invasion of Kannauj was a military conquest of the Palas to Kannauj during the Tripartite Struggle.[2][3][4] Dharmapala briefly captured Kannauj, establishing the Pala Empire as the dominant power in Northern India.[5]

Background

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During the 9th Century, different powers of India struggled to take control of Kannauj because it was the capital of India at the time. The battle to gain the title of the emperor of India, the Tripartite Struggle, had taken place. The Gurjara Pratihara, Rashtrakutas and the Palas were engaged in conflicts, Indrayudha who had the crown of Kannauj, was a vassal of the Gurjara Pratihara Vatsraja engaged in a war with Dharmapala and defeated him but the Rashtrakuta King Dhruva went on an expedition to deffeat Vatsraja and soon went back to his southern domains. This Invasion made the Pratiharas weak and opened the opportunity for Dharmapala to invade Kannauj.[6]

Invasion

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Dharmapala invaded Kannauj, where he defeated[7] and overthrew Indrayudha and installed his protégé, Chakrayudha as a vassal ruler on the throne of Kannauj.[8][9] The 12th verse of the Khalimpur copper plate and the 3rd verse of the Bhagalpur copper plate tells about the attendance of various chieftains from various parts of the India.[10][11] The verse mentioning the installation of Chakrayudha[12]

जितेन्द्रराज - प्रभृतिनरातीनुपार्जिता येन महोदय श्रीः । दत्वा पुनः सा वलिनार्थयित्रे चक्रायुधायानति वामनाय ॥ ३ ॥॥

The 12th verse of the Khalimpur Cooper plate inscription mentions the chieftains who attended the imperial assembly [13][14]

khalimpur Copper Inscription of Dharmapala

भोजैमत्स्यैः समद्रैः कुरु यदुयवनावन्ति गन्धार कीरैः भूपैर्व्यालोल - मौलि - प्रणति परिणतैः साधु सङ्कीर्यमाणः । हुष्यत् - पञ्चालवृद्धोद्धृत कनकमय स्वाभिवेको - कुम्भो दत्तश्रीः कन्यकुब्जस सललित चलित भूलता लक्ष्म येन ॥ १२ ॥

Aftermath

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After his victory over the capital, Dharmapala had assembled an imperial assembly or durbar which was attended by a number of chieftains who bowed down respectfully and granted approval.[15][16][17]

Vassals of Dharmapala

References

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  1. ^ Sadasivan, Balaji (2011). "Chapter 12: The Reformation". The Dancing Girl: A History of Early India. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 114. ISBN 9789814311670.
  2. ^ Hoiberg, Dale (2000). Students' Britannica India. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 978-0-85229-760-5.
  3. ^ Ponvannan, Gayathri (25 January 2022). 100 Great Chronicles of Indian History: From Cave Paintings to the Constitution. Hachette India. ISBN 978-93-91028-77-0.
  4. ^ "India - Dravidian, Tamil, Telugu | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  5. ^ Sadasivan, Balaji (2011). "Chapter 12: The Reformation". The Dancing Girl: A History of Early India. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 114. ISBN 9789814311670.
  6. ^ Shaikh, Dr Shahajahan B. (4 September 2017). Archaeological Study of Kandhar (Dist. Nanded, Maharashtra). Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-387-15993-2.
  7. ^ S N Sen (1987). Ancient Indian history and civilization.
  8. ^ Indian History. Allied Publishers. 1988. ISBN 978-81-8424-568-4.
  9. ^ Central Gazetteers Unit, India. (1965). The Gazetteer of India: History and Culture. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. p. 80.
  10. ^ MAJUMDAR, R. C. (1971). HISTORY OF ANCIENT BENGAL. G. BHARADWAJ, CALCUTTA.
  11. ^ Sinha, Bindeshwari Prasad (1977). Dynastic History Of Magadha. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-81-7017-059-4.
  12. ^ Bagchi, Jhunu (1993). The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir. 1200 A.D. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-81-7017-301-4.
  13. ^ Bagchi, Jhunu (1993). The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir. 1200 A.D. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-81-7017-301-4.
  14. ^ The Indian Historical Quarterly. Calcutta Oriental Press. 1985.
  15. ^ MAJUMDAR, R. C. (1971). HISTORY OF ANCIENT BENGAL. G. BHARADWAJ, CALCUTTA.
  16. ^ Singh, Pradhuman (19 January 2021). Bihar General Knowledge Digest: Bihar General Knowledge Digest: An Expert Guide to Bihar's History, Culture and Current Affairs. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-5266-769-7.
  17. ^ Publication, Mocktime (1 January 2011). MEDIEVAL INDIA: UPSC PREPARATION BOOKS HISTORY SERIES. by Mocktime Publication.