The Rajputs[edit]

Main article: Rajput

The Rajput were a Hindu clan who rose to power across a region stretching from
the gangaetic plains to the Afghan mountains, and refer to the various dynasties
of the many kingdoms in the region in the wake of the collapse of the Sassanid
Empire and Gupta Empire and marks the transition of Buddhist ruling dynasties
to Hindu ruling dynasties.

Katoch Dynasty[edit]
Main article: Katoch
The Katoch were a Hindu Rajput clan of the Chandravanshi lineage; with recent
research suggests that Katoch may be one of the oldest royal dynasty in the
world.[52]

The Chauhans[edit]
Main article: Chauhan

Statue of Prithvi Raj Chauhan at Ajmer

The Chauhan dynasty flourished from the 8th to 12th centuries CE. It was one of
the three main Rajput dynasties of that era, the others being Pratiharas and
Paramaras. Chauhan dynasties established themselves in several places in North
India and in the state of Gujarat in Western India. They were also prominent at
Sirohi in the southwest of Rajputana, and at Bundi and Kota in the east.
Inscriptions also associate them with Sambhar, the salt lake area in the Amber
(later Jaipur) district (the Sakhambari branch remained near lake Sambhar and
married into the ruling GurjaraPratihara, who then ruled an empire in Northern
India). Chauhans adopted a political policy that saw them indulge largely in
campaigns against the Chalukyas and the invading Muslim hordes. In the 11th
century, they founded the city of Ajayameru (Ajmer) in the southern part of their
kingdom, and in the 12th century, the Chauhans captured Dhilika (the ancient
name of Delhi) from the Tomaras and annexed some of their territory along the
Yamuna River.

The Chauhan Kingdom became the leading state in Northern India under King
Prithviraj III (11651192 CE), also known as Prithvi Raj Chauhan or Rai Pithora.
Prithviraj III has become famous in folk tales and historical literature as the
Chauhan king of Delhi who resisted and repelled the invasion by Mohammed of
Ghor at the first Battle of Tarain in 1191. Armies from other Rajput kingdoms,
including Mewar, assisted him. The Chauhan kingdom collapsed after Prithviraj
and his armies fled[53][54] from Mohammed of Ghor in 1192 at the Second
Battle of Tarain.
The Kachwaha[edit]
Main article: Kachwaha
The Kachwaha originated as tributaries of the preceding powers of the region.
Some scholars point out that it was only following the downfall, in the 8th-10th
century, of Kannauj (the regional seat-of-power, following the break-up of
Harsha's empire), that the Kacchapaghata state emerged as a principal power in
the Chambal valley of present-day Madhya Pradesh.[55]

The Paramaras[edit]
Main article: Paramara dynasty
The Paramara dynasty was an early medieval Indian dynasty who ruled over
Malwa region in central India. This dynasty was founded by Upendra in c. 800 CE.
The most significant ruler of this dynasty was Bhoja I who was a philosopher king
and polymath. The seat of the Paramara kingdom was Dhara Nagari (the present
day Dhar city in Madhya Pradesh state).[56]

Chalukyas[edit]
Main article: Chaulukya dynasty

Modhera Sun Temple built by the Chaulukyas.

The Chaulukyas (also called Solankis) in vernacular literature) were Hindu. In
Gujarat, Anhilwara (modern Siddhpur Patan) served as their capital. Gujarat was
a major center of Indian Ocean trade, and Anhilwara was one of the largest cities
in India, with population estimated at 100,000 in the year 1000. The Chaulukyas
were patrons of the great seaside temple of Shiva at Somnath Patan in
Kathiawar; Bhima Dev helped rebuild the temple after it was sacked by Mahmud
of Ghazni in 1026. His son, Karna, conquered the Bhil king Ashapall or Ashaval,
and after his victory established a city named Karnavati on the banks of the
Sabarmati River, at the site of modern Ahmedabad.

Tomaras of Delhi[edit]
Main article: Tomara dynasty
During 9th-12th century, the Tomaras of Delhi ruled parts of the present-day
Delhi and Haryana.[57] Much of the information about this dynasty comes from
bardic legends of little historical value, and therefore, the reconstruction of their
history is difficult.[58] According to the bardic tradition, the dynasty's founder
Anangapal Tuar (that is Anangapala I Tomara) founded Delhi in 736 CE.[59]
However, the authenticity of this claim is doubtful.[58] The bardic legends also
state that the last Tomara king (also named Anangapal) passed on the throne of
Delhi to his son-in-law Prithviraj Chauhan. This claim is also inaccurate: historical
evidence shows that Prithviraj inherited Delhi from his father Someshvara.[58]
According to the Bijolia inscription of Someshvara, his brother Vigraharaja IV had
captured Dhillika (Delhi) and Ashika (Hansi); he probably defeated a Tomara
ruler.[60]

The Palas[edit]
Main article: Pala Empire

Buddha and Bodhisattvas, 11th century, Pala Empire

Pala Empire was a Buddhist dynasty that ruled from the north-eastern region of
the Indian subcontinent. The name Pala (Modern Bengali: pal) means
protector and was used as an ending to the names of all Pala monarchs. The
Palas were followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism. Gopala
was the first ruler from the dynasty. He came to power in 750 CE in Gaur by a
democratic election. This event is recognized as one of the first democratic
elections in South Asia since the time of the Mah Janapadas. He reigned from
750-770 CE and consolidated his position by extending his control over all of
Bengal. The Buddhist dynasty lasted for four centuries (750-1120 CE) and
ushered in a period of stability and prosperity in Bengal. They created many
temples and works of art as well as supported the Universities of Nalanda and
Vikramashila. Somapura Mahavihara built by Dharmapala is the greatest
Buddhist Vihara in the Indian Subcontinent.

The empire reached its peak under Dharmapala and Devapala. Dharmapala
extended the empire into the northern parts of the Indian Subcontinent. This
triggered once again the power struggle for the control of the subcontinent.
Devapala, successor of Dharmapala, expanded the empire to cover much of
South Asia and beyond. His empire stretched from Assam and Utkala in the east,
Kamboja (modern-day Afghanistan) in the north-west and Deccan in the south.
According to Pala copperplate inscription Devapala exterminated the Utkalas,
conquered the Pragjyotisha (Assam), shattered the pride of the Huna, and
humbled the lords of Pratiharas, Gurjara and the Dravidas.

The death of Devapala ended the period of ascendancy of the Pala Empire and
several independent dynasties and kingdoms emerged during this time.
However, Mahipala I rejuvenated the reign of the Palas. He recovered control
over all of Bengal and expanded the empire. He survived the invasions of
Rajendra Chola and the Chalukyas. After Mahipala I the Pala dynasty again saw
its decline until Ramapala, the last great ruler of the dynasty, managed to
retrieve the position of the dynasty to some extent. He crushed the Varendra
rebellion and extended his empire farther to Kamarupa, Odisha and Northern
India.
The Pala Empire can be considered as the golden era of Bengal. Never had the
Bengali people reached such height of power and glory to that extent. Palas were
responsible for the introduction of Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan and
Myanmar. The Palas had extensive trade as well as influence in south-east Asia.
This can be seen in the sculptures and architectural style of the Sailendra Empire
(present-day Malaya, Java, Sumatra)