Early Medieval India (c. 600-1200 CE)

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Questions and Answers

What type of administration did Harsha implement compared to the Gupta Empire?

Harsha's administration was more feudal and decentralized than that of the Guptas.

How did Harsha's taxation system benefit different segments of society?

Taxes were divided among the king, scholars, officials, and religious purposes, allowing for a balanced revenue system.

What significant influence did Buddhism have on the law and order during Harsha's reign?

Buddhist influence softened punishments over time, changing harsh penalties like amputation into life imprisonment.

What role did Nalanda play in the context of Buddhism and education during Harsha's time?

Nalanda was a major center for Buddhist studies and housed a large monastic establishment, crucial for religious learning. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Dhruvasena II and what was his relationship with Harsha?

Dhruvasena II was a significant Maitraka ruler and married to Harsha's daughter, attending his assembly at Prayaga. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the fourth king of the Pushyabhuti dynasty?

Prabhakar Vardhana Signup and view all the answers

What significant marital alliance did Prabhakar Vardhana establish?

He married his daughter Rajyashri to Grahavarman, the Maukhari ruler. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Rajya Vardhana during his reign?

He was killed by Shashanka after leaving governance to Harsha Vardhana. Signup and view all the answers

What dual religious identity is associated with Harsha Vardhana?

He was originally a Shaiva but also supported Buddhism. Signup and view all the answers

What title was Harsha Vardhana popularly known by?

He was known as Lord of the North (sakalauttarapathanatha). Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the early medieval period in India?

The early medieval period in India was characterized by feudalism, political fragmentation, and the formation of numerous regional states. Signup and view all the answers

Name two major states in Southern India between c. 600 - 750 CE.

The Pallavas of Kanchi and the Chalukyas of Badami were two major states in Southern India during that period. Signup and view all the answers

Which three empires dominated Northern India during c. 750 - 1000 CE?

The Gurjara Pratiharas, the Palas, and the Rashtrakutas were the three empires that dominated Northern India during this phase. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the age of conflict in Northern India from c. 1000 - 1200 CE?

The significant outcome was the breakdown of the Pratihara empire and the rise of various Rajput states. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the main invaders in Northern India during the 11th and 12th centuries?

Mahmud of Ghazni and Mohammad Ghori were the main invaders in Northern India during that time. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the early medieval period in South India?

The early medieval period in South India was characterized by segmentary statehood, where kings acted primarily as ritual leaders. Signup and view all the answers

Which three major states dominated South India from c. 600-750 CE?

The Pallavas of Kanchipuram, the Chalukyas of Badami, and the Pandyas of Madurai. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the three major empires in Northern India during the phase of c. 750-1000 CE.

The Gurjara Pratiharas, the Palas, and the Rashtrakutas. Signup and view all the answers

What were the consequences of the decline of the Pratihara Empire in Northern India?

The decline led to the rise of various Rajput dynasties and the fragmentation into smaller kingdoms. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Chola dynasty in Southern India from c. 850 to 1200 CE?

The Chola dynasty held supremacy and led to a flourishing of art, literature, and temple architecture. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Medieval India: The Age of Regional Configurations (c. 600-1200 CE)

The term "early medieval" denotes the intermediate period between the "ancient" and the "medieval."
This period in India is marked by feudalism and political fragmentation, and the formation and proliferation of various states at regional level.
In south India, this period is viewed more as a period of segmentary statehood, wherein the king acted more as a ritual head, and did not have a firm revenue infrastructure or a standing army.
For simpler understanding, the period from c. 600-1200 CE can be roughly classified into primarily two phases, different for north and south India respectively.

Period from c. 600-750 CE in Northern India

a. The period from c. 600-750 CE in north India, dominated by the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar and the Maukharis of Kannauj, which correspondingly, the period from c. 600-750 CE in South India which included three major states, that of the Pallavas of Kanchi, the Chalukyas of Badami and the Pandyas of Madurai.

Period from c. 750-1200 CE in North India

b. The period from c. 750-1200 CE in north India can be further divided into two phases:
- i. Phase I from c. 750-1000 CE, which was marked by the age of three important empires, the Gurjara Pratiharas in north India, the Palas in eastern India, and the Rashtrakutas in Deccan.
- ii. Phase II from c. 1000-1200 CE, which is primarily known as the age of conflict and breakdown of the tripartite powers into many smaller kingdoms all over the country.
For example, in northern India, the disintegration of the Gupta Empire had resulted in the splitting into several kingdoms.
In north and western India, the various Rajput states under the control of different Rajput dynasties such as the Chahamanas (Chauhans), Chandellas, Paramuras of Malwa, and so on.
These states would eventually go on to fight and resist the Turkish attacks from northwest India led by Mahmud Ghazni and Muhammad Ghori in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Pushyabhutis of Thanesar

As discussed earlier, the Pushyabhutis initially had succeeded the Gupta Empire in the middle of the 6th century.
The Gupta Empire had provided stability to the northern India—especially modern day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar—for about 160 years.
The decline of the Gupta Empire resulted in the splitting into several kingdoms.
Since the 5th century onward, northern India came under the sovereignty of the white Huns.
In the middle of the 6th Century CE onwards, the north and western India was ruled by different feudatories of the Gupta.
An important ruling family, the Pushyabhutis, gained prominence after the fall of the Gupta. Their capital was in Thanesar (near Kurukshetra).

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Explore the complexities of Early Medieval India, spanning from c. 600 to 1200 CE. This period is characterized by political fragmentation and the rise of various regional states, especially in both northern and southern India. Dive into the history of the Pushyabhutis and Pallavas, among others, during this transformative era.