📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Tripartite Struggle & Rajputs
In the 8th–10th centuries the Palas (Bengal), Gurjara-Pratiharas (west) and Rashtrakutas (Deccan) fought for control of Kannauj.
| Dynasty | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Pala | Founder Gopala (elected by people); Dharmapala founded Vikramashila University; patrons of Buddhism. |
| Gurjara-Pratihara | Nagabhata I checked the Arabs; Mihira Bhoja famous. |
| Chauhan | Prithviraj Chauhan — Battles of Tarain (won 1191, lost 1192) against Muhammad Ghori; "Prithviraj Raso" (Chand Bardai). |
| Chandela | Khajuraho temples (Nagara style); UNESCO site. |
| Gahadavala | Jaichand — defeated by Ghori at Chandawar (1194). |
- Arab invasion: Muhammad bin Qasim defeated Raja Dahir of Sindh in 712 CE.
- Mahmud of Ghazni raided 17 times (1000–1027); plundered Somnath in 1025; Al-Biruni, who came with him, wrote "Kitab-ul-Hind".
- Kalhana's Rajatarangini — history of Kashmir (12th century).
📌 2. South Indian Dynasties
| Dynasty | Capital | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| Pallava | Kanchipuram | Narasimhavarman I "Mamalla" — Mahabalipuram rathas; Narasimhavarman II — Kailasanatha temple and Shore Temple. |
| Chalukya (Badami) | Vatapi (Badami) | Pulakeshin II — Aihole inscription (Ravikirti); temples at Aihole, Badami, Pattadakal. |
| Rashtrakuta | Manyakheta | Founder Dantidurga; Krishna I — Kailasa temple, Ellora; Amoghavarsha — "Kavirajamarga" (Kannada). |
| Chola | Thanjavur / Gangaikondacholapuram | Founder Vijayalaya; Rajaraja I — Brihadeeswara temple (Thanjavur); Rajendra I — campaign to the Ganga, naval expedition to Srivijaya (SE Asia); Uttaramerur inscription — village self-government. |
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Ellora's Kailasa temple is Rashtrakuta; Kanchi's Kailasanatha temple is Pallava — similar names.
- Prithviraj won the First Battle of Tarain (1191) and lost the Second (1192).
💡 Memory Tip: Cholas = "local self-government + navy + Brihadeeswara".
📌 3. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. The tripartite struggle was fought for control of: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas fought for Kannauj.
Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas fought for Kannauj.
Q2. Who founded Vikramashila University? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The Pala ruler Dharmapala founded Vikramashila.
The Pala ruler Dharmapala founded Vikramashila.
Q3. Who won the Second Battle of Tarain (1192)? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192.
Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192.
Q4. Who built the Kailasa temple at Ellora? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Rashtrakuta Krishna I carved it from a single rock.
Rashtrakuta Krishna I carved it from a single rock.
Q5. Who built the Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Chola king Rajaraja I built it.
Chola king Rajaraja I built it.
Q6. The rathas of Mahabalipuram belong to which dynasty? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
They were made under Pallava Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla).
They were made under Pallava Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla).
Q7. Who composed the Aihole inscription? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Ravikirti wrote this eulogy of Pulakeshin II.
Ravikirti wrote this eulogy of Pulakeshin II.
Q8. When did Muhammad bin Qasim invade Sindh? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
In 712 CE the Arabs defeated Raja Dahir and took Sindh.
In 712 CE the Arabs defeated Raja Dahir and took Sindh.
Q9. Who wrote 'Kitab-ul-Hind'? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Al-Biruni, who came with Mahmud of Ghazni, wrote it.
Al-Biruni, who came with Mahmud of Ghazni, wrote it.
Q10. When did Mahmud of Ghazni plunder the Somnath temple? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The 1025 raid on Somnath was his most famous campaign.
The 1025 raid on Somnath was his most famous campaign.
Q11. 'Rajatarangini' is a history of which region? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Kalhana's Rajatarangini chronicles the kings of Kashmir.
Kalhana's Rajatarangini chronicles the kings of Kashmir.
Q12. The Khajuraho temples were built by: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The Chandela rulers of Bundelkhand built them.
The Chandela rulers of Bundelkhand built them.
Q13. Which inscription describes Chola village self-government? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The Uttaramerur inscription describes elections to village assemblies.
The Uttaramerur inscription describes elections to village assemblies.
Q14. Which ruler sent a naval expedition to Srivijaya in SE Asia? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Chola Rajendra I led the naval campaign to Srivijaya.
Chola Rajendra I led the naval campaign to Srivijaya.
Q15. What was the capital of the Rashtrakutas? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The Rashtrakuta capital was Manyakheta (Malkhed).
The Rashtrakuta capital was Manyakheta (Malkhed).
Q16. 'Kavirajamarga' (Kannada) is associated with: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
It is credited to Rashtrakuta Amoghavarsha I.
It is credited to Rashtrakuta Amoghavarsha I.
Q17. What is special about Gopala, founder of the Pala dynasty? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
After a period of anarchy (matsyanyaya), Gopala was elected.
After a period of anarchy (matsyanyaya), Gopala was elected.
Q18. Who wrote 'Prithviraj Raso'? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Chand Bardai wrote it on Prithviraj Chauhan.
Chand Bardai wrote it on Prithviraj Chauhan.
Q19. The Battle of Chandawar (1194) was between: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
At Chandawar Ghori defeated the Gahadavala Jaichand.
At Chandawar Ghori defeated the Gahadavala Jaichand.
Q20. Who built the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Pallava Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha) built it.
Pallava Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha) built it.